For the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era, the Kansas City Chiefs are staring at a top-10 pick in the NFL Draft - ninth overall, to be exact. That’s unfamiliar territory for a franchise that’s spent the better part of the last decade chasing (and often capturing) Super Bowl glory.
But after missing the postseason in 2025, it’s clear this team isn’t bulletproof anymore. The silver lining?
A rare opportunity to reset, reload, and address some glaring roster holes - all while navigating one of the tightest salary cap situations in the league.
Let’s be real: it’s still jarring to say the Chiefs need help on offense. But that’s exactly where we are.
The 2025 season exposed some real cracks in the foundation, and outside of Mahomes - who was once again doing everything short of walking on water - the offensive unit struggled to find consistency. The numbers back it up, and so does the film.
Wide receiver remains a major pain point. Rashee Rice has emerged as a reliable target, but beyond him, it’s been a revolving door of underperformance.
Xavier Worthy hasn’t lived up to his billing, and the veteran additions simply haven’t delivered. The tight end room is also showing signs of decline.
Travis Kelce is still a future Hall of Famer, but Father Time is undefeated, and Noah Gray didn’t exactly step up in 2025.
Then there’s the offensive line - a group that’s been inconsistent in both pass protection and run blocking. Mahomes spent far too much time under duress before his season-ending ACL tear, and the run game never found its footing. That last part is especially concerning, considering both of Kansas City’s top backs are heading into free agency.
So, where does that leave the Chiefs heading into the 2026 NFL Draft? With a top-10 pick and a long list of needs, mock drafts have been all over the board. But one name keeps popping up: Jeremiyah Love, the electric running back out of Notre Dame.
Love is the kind of player who can change the tone of an offense. He’s got home-run speed, but he’s more than just a big-play threat.
His 1,372 rushing yards ranked eighth in the country last season, and his 19 touchdowns tied him for third. He’s explosive, sure, but he’s also dependable - the kind of back who can take pressure off a quarterback coming off a major injury.
And that’s key. Mahomes may not be fully mobile to start the 2026 season, so having a reliable run game isn’t just a luxury - it’s a necessity.
Love could give Kansas City a new dynamic, especially under returning offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. Bieniemy, by the way, played a major role in D’Andre Swift’s resurgence in Chicago last season.
If he can work similar magic with Love, the Chiefs might finally have the kind of balanced offense they’ve been missing.
Of course, there’s no guarantee Love will be there at No. 9.
The Saints pick one spot ahead and could easily snatch him up. The Commanders are also in the mix.
If Kansas City misses out on Love - or decides to wait on a running back - they could turn their attention to the wide receiver position.
Jordyn Tyson is a name to watch. He’s not the flashiest prospect in the class, but his route-running and quick-twitch movement make him a great fit for Kansas City’s short-pass-heavy attack. With Mahomes likely needing to get the ball out quickly early in the season, Tyson could be a valuable weapon who helps keep the chains moving and the offense on schedule.
Then there’s the offensive line - and specifically, the left tackle spot. Since Orlando Brown Jr. left, the Chiefs haven’t found a reliable replacement. Jawaan Taylor was brought in to stabilize the position, but his performance has dipped, and the protection issues were glaring last year.
Enter Kadyn Proctor. The 6-foot-7, 366-pound tackle is being called a younger, more agile version of Brown.
That’s high praise, and if Proctor lives up to the billing, he could finally give the Chiefs the blindside protector they’ve been missing. His combination of size and athleticism is rare, and he’d be a major upgrade at one of the most important positions on the field - especially with Mahomes coming back from injury.
While offense is clearly the priority, the defense can’t be ignored either. The Chiefs’ pass rush was inconsistent in 2025, relying heavily on Chris Jones and George Karlaftis to generate pressure. That’s a tough ask over a 17-game season, and it showed.
If Kansas City decides to go defense in the first round, Rueben Bain Jr. is a name that makes a lot of sense. The Miami edge rusher had 9.5 sacks last season and was a disruptive force all year long.
He capped off his season with a sack and eight tackles in the College Football Playoff Final against Indiana. Bain brings the kind of motor and burst that could complement Jones and Karlaftis well, giving the Chiefs a more complete front.
The bottom line? The Chiefs are in unfamiliar territory, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
With a top-10 pick and multiple areas of need, Kansas City has a chance to reshape its roster in a meaningful way - and get right back into the thick of the AFC race. The key will be making the most of this rare opportunity.
Because if they hit on this pick, don’t be surprised if the Chiefs are right back where they belong next January: playing deep into the postseason.