The Kansas City Chiefs have the ninth pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and have several positions of need to consider this offseason.
When reviewing the Kansas City Chiefs’ lost season, a year in which the team missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014, there are clear areas up and down the roster that need improvement.
All phases of the team were responsible for losses throughout the season, whether it was the lack of an effective running game, consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks or missing kicks, it was a tough season from top to bottom.
Considering the team needs help on the offensive line, specifically at right tackle (if Jawaan Taylor is cut to save money), at running back and at defensive end, which position should be addressed with Kansas City’s first-round pick?
The Chiefs have the ninth pick in the 2026 National Football League Draft and have been mocked to draft all positions mentioned above. Selecting an offensive tackle seems like the most logical thing to do for Kansas City, but if the top tackle prospects don’t make it to the Chiefs (which is likely), should they draft a running back or defensive end?
This draft class is particularly deep at offensive tackle and edge rushers but not as deep at running back. If Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love is still available at nine, he would be an absolute home run pick for the Chiefs.
In ESPN’s Field Yates’ latest first-round mock draft, he has the Chiefs picking Love but prefaced it by saying it’s a mystery if he will still be on the board.
“While I don't know if Love will fall to this pick in April, I would be surprised if he makes it past the Chiefs,” Yates wrote Wednesday. “Simply put, Love is the biggest non-QB difference-maker in the class. As a runner, he has terrific explosiveness and vision. As a receiver, his routes from the slot look no different from a wideout.
“The Chiefs need a major boost to their backfield after ranking 25th in rushing yards per game (106.6). And I'd imagine general manager Brett Veach would be tempted to sprint the card in himself to make this pick.”
For the first time with two-time Most Valuable Player Patrick Mahomes under center, the rushing attack was truly abysmal. Not only was it abysmal, but Mahomes was the team’s leading rusher for half the season, and it put increased strain on his legs which may have played a role in his knee injury.
Adding a college star like Love to the backfield would transform an offense that struggled for really the first time over a full season during the Mahomes era. At Roundtable, we have long criticized Veach for not trading for New York Jets star RB Breece Hall at the trade deadline. If Veach lands Love (reliant on the fact that he’s available), we will forget all about the Hall business.
Love profiles close to Hall but has the potential to have a much higher ceiling. Given the salary cap issues that the Chiefs are facing (more than $50 million over the cap), signing a running back likely isn’t how the organization will address their RB problem, so landing Love would be massive.