The world of NFL prognostication never truly sleeps. Even as one season concludes and another looms, the intrepid analysts at NFL.com are already peering into the crystal ball, not just for next year, but for years beyond. Enter Gennaro Filice, whose 2026 NFL mock draft 1.0 has landed with all the speculative fanfare one would expect. It’s a bold declaration, two full college seasons away, but it offers a fascinating glimpse into which college talents are already turning heads and where they might eventually land.
The Early Frontrunners: Jeremiyah Love’s Meteoric Rise
One of the most eye-catching projections from Filice’s initial 2026 mock draft is the inclusion of Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love cracking the top five. In an era where running backs rarely command such high draft capital, a top-five placement is a testament to the perceived generational talent Love possesses. This isn’t just about raw power or breakaway speed; it speaks to an all-around skillset that coaches dream of. Love’s versatility, his ability to impact the game as a runner, receiver, and potentially even in pass protection, likely contributes to this lofty projection.
Landing in the top five suggests a player who isn’t just good, but transformative – someone a franchise would build around. It raises questions about the strength of the 2026 quarterback and edge rusher classes, often the staples of the top picks. For Love to push past them, his tape must already be showing flashes of utter dominance and unique playmaking ability. “Love’s combination of burst, vision, and receiving skills is simply elite, even for a college prospect two years out,” one anonymous scout reportedly observed. “He’s the kind of back who can truly transform an offense, making him a rare breed in today’s NFL landscape.” This early buzz around Love signals that he’s a name every college football and NFL Draft enthusiast should be monitoring closely over the next two seasons.
Chiefs Reload: Jordyn Tyson Joins the Dynasty
Another compelling projection involves the Kansas City Chiefs, with Filice pegging them to select wide receiver Jordyn Tyson. The Chiefs, under Patrick Mahomes, consistently seek dynamic pass-catching talent to keep their offense evolving and unstoppable. Tyson’s potential arrival would certainly fit that mold. While the specific draft slot for the Chiefs is speculative, the idea of them continuously investing in high-upside receivers is a well-established pattern. They understand the premium on speed, agility, and the ability to create separation for their superstar quarterback.
Tyson’s skillset, whatever it fully blossoms into, would be scrutinized for its fit within the intricate Chiefs’ offense. Can he run all routes? Does he have game-breaking speed? Is he reliable in clutch moments? These are the hallmarks of a Chiefs wideout. Investing in a player like Tyson two years out highlights his perceived ceiling and the kind of impact player he could become. For a team that has shown a willingness to develop talent and maximize potential, bringing in a raw but highly gifted receiver like Tyson would be a classic move to ensure their offensive firepower remains elite for years to come.
Early Mocks: A Glimpse, Not a Guarantee
It’s crucial to remember that a mock draft this far out is less about predictive accuracy and more about identifying significant talent and intriguing storylines. It sparks conversation and highlights players who, even at an early stage in their careers, are demonstrating traits that scream “future NFL star.” Filice’s 2026 mock draft is a testament to the constant evolution of talent identification in college football and the never-ending pursuit of what’s next in the NFL. Jeremiyah Love’s potential top-five status and the Chiefs’ projected acquisition of Jordyn Tyson are just two examples of the bold predictions that make these early analyses so captivating. They’re names to remember, potentials to track, and certainly discussion points for every armchair general manager.
