Kansas City Chiefs: A Running Game Renaissance?
The Kansas City Chiefs find themselves at a pivotal crossroads this offseason, with a glaring need to revitalize their running game. While Patrick Mahomes continues to be a dominant force under center, the offense has become somewhat predictable, leaning heavily on his arm.
Opposing defenses have caught on, focusing their efforts on stifling Mahomes and the passing attack. This shift in strategy stems from the Chiefs' previous decisions to economize at the running back position, a move that might see a reversal soon.
Exploring Options: Free Agency and the Draft
The Chiefs are reportedly considering significant investments in the running back position during free agency, with Travis Etienne emerging as a potential target. However, the draft also presents an intriguing alternative.
Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love stands out as an elite prospect who could bring balance to the Chiefs' offense. While the team might prioritize other positions like defensive end, ignoring a talent like Love could be a missed opportunity.
The Draft Strategy Debate
The debate over draft strategy is ever-present. Some argue for prioritizing premium positions with early picks, then targeting running backs in the second or third round.
Historically, top-ten pass rushers have a higher success rate than their second-round counterparts, while early second-round running backs are often reliable picks. Yet, recent trends show that selecting a star running back within the top 12 can be a game-changer.
Making the Case for an Early Running Back Pick
Drafting a running back early requires an exceptional talent to justify the choice. Reaching for a player without top-10 credentials would be unwise. Fortunately, Jeremiyah Love fits the bill as a universally acknowledged top-tier talent.
While top-10 picks often yield some of the league's best players, they also come with risks of busts, even at premium positions like quarterback or offensive tackle. Interestingly, running backs selected in the top 12 over the past decade have proven to be some of the safest bets.
A Decade of Top-Tier Running Backs
Let's take a look at the running backs chosen in the top 12 over the last 10 years:
- Ashton Jeanty - No. 6 - Las Vegas Raiders - 2025
- Bijan Robinson - No. 8 - Atlanta Falcons - 2023
- Jahmyr Gibbs - No. 12 - Detroit Lions - 2023
- Saquon Barkley - No. 2 - New York Giants - 2018
- Leonard Fournette - No. 4 - Jacksonville Jaguars - 2017
- Christian McCaffrey - No. 8 - Carolina Panthers - 2017
- Ezekiel Elliott - No. 4 - Dallas Cowboys - 2016
Among these seven, Leonard Fournette is the only one who might be considered a bust, yet he still achieved over 1,000 rushing yards twice and scored more than 40 touchdowns in Jacksonville.
Christian McCaffrey and Saquon Barkley are often heralded as the decade's best, while Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs are already pivotal to their teams. Ashton Jeanty showed promise as a rookie, and Ezekiel Elliott concluded his Dallas tenure as the franchise's third-leading rusher.
Impressive Averages and Versatility
Analyzing their performance, these seven backs averaged over 1,500 yards from scrimmage and nearly 11 touchdowns per season across 26 combined seasons. The Chiefs have only seen such production once in the past 12 years, courtesy of Kareem Hunt in 2017.
A key factor for top-10 running backs is their dual-threat capability, contributing both in rushing and receiving. On average, these backs caught 57.5 passes per season, highlighting their versatility.
Jeremiyah Love, despite limited receptions at Notre Dame, showcased potential beyond being a mere checkdown option. His ability to line up in the slot and run routes adds another dimension, though proving his pass protection skills will be crucial for consistent playing time under Andy Reid.
The Chiefs' Draft Decision
While the Chiefs shouldn't pin their hopes solely on drafting Love-given he might be off the board by their pick-his availability, especially if top pass rushers are gone, should prompt serious consideration. Recent history supports the notion that a premier running back like Love could thrive in the NFL, making him a potentially transformative addition to the Chiefs' lineup.