The writing is already on the wall that Indiana Hoosiers' Fernando Mendoza will be the No. 1 overall pick. But an ESPN analyst has stirred Mendoza's pot. He has identified a Notre Dame Fighting Irish standout as the top overall prospect in the class, regardless of position.

According to Booger McFarland, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is the premier talent in the 2026 NFL Draft

"He should go No. 1 because by all accounts, he's the best football player in this draft," McFarland said on the April 8 episode of Get Up.

The quarterback position is always given top priority. But for McFarland, the raw football ability displayed by Love makes him a unique asset for any NFL franchise. Talking about stats? Love left no stone unturned.

In 41 games at Notre Dame, he established himself as a formidable running back, rushing for 2,882 yards. Holding an average of 6.7 yards per rush, he made 36 rushing touchdowns along with 63 receptions.

Other than the stats, Love's debate with Mendoza revolves around the running back's tape. Teams want game-breaking ability from their backs. That's where Love checks every box: wide catch radius, natural hands, and elite route-running ability.

All this combined adds to McFarland’s assessment of terming him as the “best player” in the backfield. 

Meanwhile, it's not the first time that Mendoza slipped from No.1 pick conversations. Just like McFarland, ESPN's Todd McShay also ranked Love as the No.1 draft prospect.

Even then, Mendoza remains in the top pick conversation.

Fernando Mendoza Emerges as Draft’s Top Favorite amidst Jeremiyah Love hype

The Las Vegas Raiders have the No.1 overall pick in 2026, and their head coach, Klint Kubiak, has already showered Mendoza with heavy praise.

"He's a winner, he's accurate, he's tall [and] intelligent," Kubiak said during the annual NFL Meeting last month.

With his production topping the lists, it is evident why he is the favorite No.1 pick for all. 

He recorded a perfect 16-0, and a stunning 72.0% rate for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns, and just 6 interceptions. His highlight moment? Mendoza’s 12-yard trip to the end zone that helped Indiana win their first national title.

Kubiak and general manager John Spytek may be tight-lipped, but the direction feels obvious. Their plan to draft Mendoza makes him the Heisman winner, the first quarterback to be taken by the Raiders in the first round in a while. The last time they did was in the 2007 draft when they took JaMarcus Russell.

Share your thoughts in the comments on who deserves to be the No.1 pick.

Read more at Dallas Cowboys Community.

Written by

Archana Ramakrishnan

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar