The Kansas City Chiefs have had problems at the running back spot for years now.
The team has not had a 1,000-yard rusher since the 2017 season. That year, Kareem Hunt rushed for 1,327 yards and eight touchdowns. Since that point, however, the team has been unable to find a true No. 1 running back.
In 2025, the team's leading rusher was, once again, Kareem Hunt. However, Hunt is now 30 and led the team with just 611 yards. Isiah Pacheco has shown flashes in his career, but injuries and inconsistency have made it apparent he's not the answer either.
Luckily for the Chiefs, their poor 2025 season has them in the rare position of having an early pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. With that pick, the team could add an elite talent to the backfield.
NFL analyst Bucky Brooks recently dropped his first mock draft and has the Chiefs taking Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love with the No. 7 pick.
Love is widely considered to be the top running back in this class and could immediately be an every-down back in the league. The Notre Dame product rushed for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2025.
Love finished third in Heisman Trophy voting in 2025 and also earned a First-team All-American selection. 2025 wasn't the first time Love exploded either, as the running back racked up 1,125 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2024.
Another interesting thing about Love is that he's a solid pass-catcher, which the Chiefs value. Love caught 63 passes for 594 yards and six scores over 41 career games at Notre Dame.
Love has elite burst and is also tough to bring down. The running back holds his own in pass protection as well, and the Chiefs may be one of the best possible fits for Love.
It may seem like a luxury to select a running back this early in the draft, but the position is such a huge need for the Chiefs. The team also reunited with Eric Bieniemy this offseason, who was on staff the last time the Chiefs had a 1,000-yard rusher.
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