KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The “running backs don’t matter” era just died a loud death. One week ago, Kenneth Walker III carved up the Patriots for 161 scrimmage yards to become the first RB named Super Bowl MVP since Terrell Davis in 1998. Now, with the Kansas City Chiefs holding the No. 9 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the focus has shifted to a single name: Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love.
Solving the Explosive Play Problem
Kansas City’s offense, usually a fireworks show, sputtered in the deep postseason. The culprit? A lack of home-run threats in the backfield. While Patrick Mahomes remains the sun around which the NFL orbits, he spent much of 2025 playing hero ball while nursing a late-season ACL strain. Former NFL GM Mike Tannenbaum didn’t mince words this week on Get Up, pointing out that no team had fewer explosive plays from the RB position than the Chiefs.
Love is the antidote. The 6-0, 214-pound weapon is coming off a staggering 2025 campaign where he racked up 1,372 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns. His 6.9 yards per carry over the last two seasons isn’t just a stat—it’s a warning. In a league where Saquon Barkley just led the Eagles to a 40-22 Super Bowl thrashing of these very Chiefs, the value of a blue-chip back has never been higher. Love finished third in Heisman voting this year, proving he can handle the heavy lifting of a bell-cow while maintaining the receiving chops of a slot receiver.
The Top-12 Trend: Running Backs are Back
The “never draft a back early” crowd is losing the argument. Since 2017, six running backs have been taken in the top 12, and the results speak for themselves. From Christian McCaffrey’s All-Pro dominance to Ashton Jeanty going 6th overall to the Raiders last year, the elite tier is worth the investment.
Check the tape on the recent top-12 RB fraternity:
- Ashton Jeanty (LV, 2025): 6th overall, 975 yards as a rookie.
- Bijan Robinson (ATL, 2023): 8th overall, 2x Pro Bowler.
- Saquon Barkley (NYG/PHI): 2nd overall (2018), 2024 Offensive Player of the Year.
- Kenneth Walker III (SEA): 2026 Super Bowl MVP.
Love fits this mold perfectly. He is a “space” player who creates mismatches against linebackers, a luxury Mahomes hasn’t consistently had since the early days of Kareem Hunt. With Hunt and Isiah Pacheco both heading toward free agency, the vacancy in the Chiefs’ backfield isn’t just a hole—it’s a landing strip for a superstar.
“When you look at guys like Bijan, Saquon, McCaffrey—they are true, dynamic difference-makers. Jeremiyah Love is that exception. He can help Patrick Mahomes come back a little bit more slowly and take that pressure off the QB.”
— Mike Tannenbaum, Former NFL General Manager
What’s Next for Brett Veach?
General Manager Brett Veach has a reputation for aggressive moves, but taking a specialist at No. 9 would be his boldest draft-day pivot yet. The Chiefs’ defense remains elite, and the offensive line is stabilized, but the “X-factor” is missing. If Love is on the board when Kansas City clocks in this April, passing on him might be the only mistake they can’t afford to make. The 2026 Scouting Combine in Indianapolis will be the final proving ground, where Love’s expected sub-4.4 speed could cement him as a top-10 lock.
