Chiefs' Selection of Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love in Mock Draft Raises Concerns

The pick could give Kansas City's offense a major boost, but poses challenges for rival teams.

Feb. 19, 2026 at 11:47am

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According to NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah, the Kansas City Chiefs are projected to select Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love with the 9th overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. This selection is being viewed as "nightmare fuel" for the rest of the league, as Love's dual-threat abilities as both a runner and receiver could significantly improve the Chiefs' ground game and open up their passing attack.

Why it matters

The Chiefs missed the playoffs in 2025, so this offseason will be crucial for them to regain their status as an AFC powerhouse. Adding a dynamic playmaker like Love to complement their passing game led by Patrick Mahomes could make the Chiefs' offense even more difficult to defend.

The details

Love is viewed as a potential home-run threat out of the backfield, with the ability to both run effectively and be a threat in the passing game. With the Chiefs' top receiving weapons Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice, defenses may have to commit more resources to stopping the run, opening up opportunities in the passing game. This could be a game-changing selection for the Chiefs as they look to bounce back from a down year.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April.

The players

Jeremiyah Love

A running back prospect from the University of Notre Dame who is projected to be selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Patrick Mahomes

The star quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Xavier Worthy

One of the top receiving weapons for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Rashee Rice

Another top receiving option for the Kansas City Chiefs.

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What’s next

The Chiefs will make their selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, which is scheduled for April.

The takeaway

The potential selection of Jeremiyah Love by the Kansas City Chiefs in the upcoming NFL Draft could be a game-changer for their offense, providing them with a dynamic dual-threat running back to complement their passing attack led by Patrick Mahomes. This move could make the Chiefs' offense even more formidable and challenging for opposing defenses to stop.