There are over three months until the 2026 NFL Draft, but with the Kansas City Chiefs’ offseason underway, it’s time to consider what draft prospects the Chiefs could select with the ninth overall pick.
The most famous mock drafter of them all, ESPN’s Mel Kiper, released a first-round mock draft on Wednesday morning, with the season of college football officially concluded. Fresh off a 16-0 national championship season, Indiana’s quarterback has basically locked himself into the Las Vegas Raiders’ pick at the top of the draft.
With the third overall selection, the Arizona Cardinals were matched with Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa, taking away an option at right tackle that was thought to be in range for Kansas City in most mock drafts. Two intriguing edge defenders — David Bailey of Texas Tech and Rueben Bain Jr. from Miami — are taken before the eighth pick: Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson.
9. Kansas City Chiefs
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre DameYou could see it, right? The Chiefs make their first pick in the top 10 since they took Patrick Mahomes at No. 10 in 2017 and promptly use the selection to get a game-changing running back to pair with their star quarterback? Improving the run game could open up the offense in a big way. The Chiefs were in the bottom half of the league in yards per carry (4.2) and runs of 10-plus yards (44) this season, and Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt are both free agents. It’s time to inject some juice into this ground attack.
Ignoring positional value, Love is the second-best prospect on my Big Board. Vision. Burst. Power. Speed. Receiving skills. He has it all, and he ran for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns this past season.
Kiper goes with the pick that we have seen plenty of, and it could be further justified with the return of Eric Bieniemy as offensive coordinator. The long-time running backs coach has worked with legendary ballcarriers Adrian Peterson and Jamaal Charles. Love has earned the top-10 hype with his talent, but general manager Brett Veach may feel better about pulling the trigger knowing Bieniemy will sharpen any dull spots in his game.
In this scenario, the one player that could be hard to pass up on for Love would be Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, who was picked next. The high pick needs to be a difference maker, and Kansas City should feel good about either of those two players fitting the bill.
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