After their worst season of the Patrick Mahomes era, the Chiefs enter the offseason looking to make significant changes. Due to their success this decade, Kansas City typically picks near the back half of the draft. This spring, however, the Chiefs hold the No. 9 overall pick and have a chance to add a game-changer.
Who Are the Chiefs Projected To Select?
In PFSN’s most recent 2026 NFL Mock Draft, analyst Jacob Infante provided insight into the first three rounds of the upcoming draft. When he reached Kansas City at pick nine, Infante projected the Chiefs to select Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.
Infante described the running back as an “explosive runner who combines sound decision-making between the tackles with elite speed, quick feet, and the ability to change direction,” adding that Love pairs his elusiveness with “toughness that shows up both in the run game and as a receiver after the catch.”
Love undoubtedly proved those abilities in college as well. During his junior season at Notre Dame, Love carried the ball 199 times for 1,372 yards and 18 rushing touchdowns. On the receiving end, Love hauled in 27 passes for 280 yards and 3 receiving touchdowns.
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His strong season earned him a Heisman nomination, where he finished third in voting, only behind Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza and Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia.
Infante also mentioned the Chiefs’ poor rushing attack, calling it “lackluster” and stating it played a “significant role” in their middling offensive output this season. PFSN’s NFL RB Impact Metric shares a similar sentiment, as Kareem Hunt ranked 22nd among all backs, while Isiah Pacheco ranked as low as 49th.
Comparatively, Love ranked fourth among all running backs according to PFSN’s CFB RB Impact Metric. While Love’s performance wasn’t quite on the same level, he has proven time and time again that he has NFL-level talent.
As for the Chiefs, a large factor in drafting Love would not only be to re-establish a running game but also to ease the burden on their three-time Super Bowl MVP, Mahomes. Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense as a whole have noticeably struggled over the past two years, more than fans have come to know.
In 2025, Mahomes posted the worst statistical output of his career, ranking 17th in PFSN’s NFL QB Impact metric. The season-ending ACL injury certainly didn’t help the cause, but still, Kansas City will need him to bounce back if they want to get back to contention next season.
Assuming Kansas City does, in fact, select Love in the 2026 NFL Draft, expect an entirely new identity for this Chiefs offense, and one that will likely benefit them in both the short and long term.
