The Kansas City Chiefs are currently slated to own the No. 9 overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. Their final draft position will be determined by the outcome of their Week 18 finale versus the Las Vegas Raiders. The Chiefs should strongly consider using that pick on Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love if he's available.
The Chiefs are wrapping up the most disappointing season in the Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid era. The offense has grown stale and ineffective. Reid and general manager Brett Veach must do some soul-searching this offseason.
The inability to successfully run the football made the offense one-dimensional and predictable in 2025. They currently rank 23rd in rushing, averaging 108.0 yards per game. The results would be significantly worse had Mahomes not rushed for a career-high 422 yards despite only making 14 appearances. Mahomes was often scrambling out of sheer necessity.
No Chiefs running back has rushed for 600 yards entering Week 18. Kareem Hunt is their rushing leader with 598, and he's averaging a lackluster 3.8 yards per carry. The 30-year-old Hunt is on an expiring contract and shouldn't be re-signed by Veach this offseason.
What's more disappointing is that injuries have totally derailed Isiah Pacheco's career over the past year and a half. Making just 20 combined appearances across 2024-25 due to fibula and knee injuries, the former Rutgers standout has looked like a shell of his former productive self. Pacheco is also on an expiring contract and should only be retained in a backup role.
As good as Mahomes is, Reid's offense has always been most effective when fielding a well-balanced unit. The disappearance of that balance doomed the offense in 2025. Pairing that with a declining offensive line and lackluster receiving options, a perfect storm ensued to end the Chiefs' dynasty, at least for now.
Improving the rushing attack should be Veach's priority this offseason. It became even more necessary after Mahomes suffered a season-ending torn ACL injury. The three-time Super Bowl MVP now faces a lengthy road to recovery. When Mahomes returns in 2026, the Chiefs need to ensure they're not overly reliant on his heroics right away. A consistent ground game is required to remove pressure from the passing game.
Love is arguably the most talented overall prospect in the entire 2026 NFL Draft. A straightforward evaluation, he's electric and explosive with acceleration, vision, and contact balance. An all-around back could help transform this Chiefs offense again.
A lack of talent at running back isn't the lone reason for the ineffective run game, though. The offensive line has steadily declined in recent seasons. The Chiefs' run-block win-rate (RBWR) currently ranks 23rd in the NFL, according to ESPN Analytics. They'll need more from young blockers Kingsley Suamataia and Josh Simmons in 2026, and overpaid right tackle Jawaan Taylor is a potential cap casualty.
Sorting through the offensive line is as important as acquiring a running back. The Chiefs don’t have to look far to see how an inadequate O-line can stifle a dynamic rookie ball-carrier. Their division rival Raiders drafted Ashton Jeanty only to suffocate his upside behind a debilitating protection group.
The Chiefs desperately need to add playmakers on offense this offseason. They should strongly consider drafting Love if he's available. Veach and Reid must invest in making Mahomes' return as seamless as possible.