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Mock Drafts Link Chiefs to Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love With No. 9 Pick

Analysts see a rare top-10 pick as a chance to fix Kansas City's run game through the draft.

Jeremiyah Love #4 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs the ball against the Stanford Cardinal in the first quarter at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, California.
Image
Dec 25, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Patrick Mahomes watches the action from a suite during the third quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Overview

  • ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr., PFF's Gordon McGuinness, and PFN's Josh Weil each project Kansas City selecting Jeremiyah Love at No. 9 in April's draft.
  • Love is widely rated the top back in the class after a 2025 season with roughly 1,372 rushing yards, 18 rushing touchdowns, and strong receiving production as a Heisman finalist and Doak Walker winner.
  • The projections follow a 6–11 season in which the Chiefs ranked in the bottom third in rushing at about 106.6 yards per game and lost Patrick Mahomes to a late-season ACL tear.
  • Counterarguments urge targeting a pass rusher at No. 9 or filling the backfield in free agency, with one prediction pointing to a pursuit of Jets free agent Breece Hall.
  • Context shaping the debate includes the expiring contracts of Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco and Eric Bieniemy's return as offensive coordinator, which could favor a three-down back.