Sportsvival continues its team-by-team look at the 2026 NFL Draft, and Kansas City is one of the more fascinating teams in the league. The Chiefs enter this offseason in an unusual spot for the Mahomes era: picking No. 9 overall, holding an extra first-rounder at No. 29 after the Trent McDuffie trade, and trying to retool a roster that saw real turnover on both sides of the ball. Kansas City has already been active in free agency, but the draft still feels like the place where this roster can get its next jolt of long-term star power.
Chiefs additions so far this offseason
Kansas City’s most notable additions have been RB Kenneth Walker III, S Alohi Gilman, DT Khyiris Tonga, CB Kader Kohou and RB Emari Demercado, while the Chiefs also re-signed TE Travis Kelce, WR Tyquan Thornton and LS James Winchester. On top of that, NFL.com and ESPN both report Kansas City is acquiring QB Justin Fields from the Jets, giving the club an experienced backup while Patrick Mahomes continues his recovery.
Chiefs subtractions so far this offseason
The losses have been significant. Kansas City traded away Trent McDuffie, then lost CB Jaylen Watson to the Rams, S Bryan Cook to the Bengals, LB Leo Chenal to the Commanders, and WR Marquise Brown to the Eagles. The Chiefs also released OT Jawaan Taylor and DE Mike Danna, while RB Isiah Pacheco signed with the Lions. That is a lot of turnover for a team that still expects to contend.
Top 3 Chiefs needs
1. Cornerback
This is the biggest need on the roster right now. McDuffie is gone, Watson is gone, and even though Kohou gives them a veteran option, the secondary clearly needs another starter and long-term answer. Chiefs.com’s own mock roundup has repeatedly connected Kansas City to corners early, and ESPN’s post-free-agency analysis said cornerback is now the Chiefs’ biggest need.
2. Offensive tackle
Releasing Jawaan Taylor leaves a major question on the edge of the offensive line, and that is why so many projections have tied Kansas City to Francis Mauigoa or another tackle at No. 9. Chiefs.com’s roundup specifically highlighted offensive tackle as a premium need, and the fit makes sense for a team that has to keep Mahomes protected for the long haul.
3. Edge rusher
Kansas City still needs more juice off the edge. Charles Omenihu left for Washington, Mike Danna was released, and ESPN noted that the Chiefs need major help at edge even after the first wave of offseason moves. The front still has talent inside, but adding another disruptive pass rusher would make a lot of sense with one of their early picks.
The pick at No. 9: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
This may not be the most obvious pick because Kansas City already signed Kenneth Walker, but it would absolutely be one of the most explosive. Jeremiyah Love is the kind of offensive weapon who can change the shape of a unit. In 2025 at Notre Dame, Love rushed 199 times for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns, added 27 catches for 280 yards and three more scores, won the Doak Walker Award, and finished as a Heisman finalist.
For Kansas City, this would be a bet on game-breaking talent. ESPN’s Chiefs free-agency analysis said the club desperately needed more explosion in the run game, which is why Walker was signed in the first place. Drafting Love would double down on that identity shift. He gives the Chiefs home-run speed, balance through contact, receiving ability, and the kind of big-play threat that forces defenses to defend every inch of the field. In Andy Reid’s offense, Love could be used as a true mismatch piece instead of just a traditional handoff back.
The biggest argument for this pick is that Kansas City has the draft capital to do it. The Chiefs still hold No. 29 overall and No. 40 overall, so they would have more chances to attack cornerback, tackle, or edge after taking the best offensive weapon on the board at No. 9. That is what makes Love believable here even if running back is not their cleanest need on paper. He would be a luxury pick, but one with real impact.
In the end, Kansas City’s offseason has created real holes, especially at cornerback and tackle, but it has also opened the door for creativity. If the Chiefs want to make life easier on Mahomes and give their offense a dynamic new centerpiece, Jeremiyah Love is the kind of player worth betting on. He would bring burst, versatility, and star upside to a team that still has enough extra early picks to patch the rest of the roster afterward.