Earlier this offseason, the Kansas City Chiefs were constantly mock-drafted University of Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.
None of the Chiefs top running backs from last year, Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt, performed to a consistently high level over the course of the 2025 season, and it is no surprise that as a consequence neither is with the team come April 2026.
Much of the Love-to-KC talk quietened sharply when the team gave reigning Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III a three-year, $43 million contract that pays him $14.3 million annually, making him the fourth-highest paid player at his position in the league.
However, according to NFL Network’s lead draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah, general manager Brett Veach and head coach Andy Reid could be reticent to pass on such a top talent if he is available with the team’s first pick in this year’s upcoming draft at #9 overall.
Chiefs Could Add Jeremiyah Love to RB Room Despite Walker
“If Jeremiyah Love’s there [at #9] I think all bets are off.” Jeremiah said on The Joel Klatt Show on Monday. “Walker was him and [Zach] Charbonnet, that was a tag-team group there in Seattle. So obviously you like to have more than one back, I can use him in so many different ways. I’ve got Mahomes coming off of injury, so we’re going to ease him back in.
“We bought Eric Bieniemy back in at coordinator, we want to get this run game going. Now I’ve got two guys and they are going to complement each other very well we can really really get the run game going. Plus both these guys can catch the ball, and Love is like a legit slot receiver if you wanted to put him out there. He can go up there and you can make the case he might be the best slot – probably the best slot – receiver in this draft.”
On the face of it, it would be hard to imagine Kansas City passing up the opportunity to add a top tackle or cornerback prospect like Kadyn Proctor or Mansoor Delane.
But at the same time, the Chiefs may decide that the chance to bring in a potentially generational dual-threat in both the run and passing game could end up being more valuable for the team over the next few years, as they look to return to the NFL’s summit.
Would it Make Sense For the Chiefs to Add Another RB?
Perhaps the most important part of Jeremiah’s explanation; outside of the need to support Mahomes and the offense whilst he returns to a full bill of health; concerns the possibility of pushing Love out to the slot, where he would be an elite receiving talent.
The Chiefs do not really have a pure slot player. Tyquan Thornton and Xavier Worthy are deep threats, and whilst possession receiver Rashee Rice can operate out of the slot, it is not his default position.
Thus, adding Love would not only bring in a dynamic pairing for Walker in the run game, but could also add the missing piece to a passing game that no doubt needs work after last year’s output.
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