Should the Chiefs Draft Jeremiyah Love?

Chiefs GM Brett Veach met the media on Zoom ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, and the answer on the ninth overall pick was open in every direction except one.

Veach ticked off the areas Kansas City needs help: defensive backfield, offensive line, edge rusher, receiver. Conspicuously absent from the list: running back. The Chiefs signed Kenneth Walker in free agency, and Veach pointedly talked about leaning into the interior offensive line trio of Kingsley, Trey, and Creed, noting Eric Bieniemy's running back roots would make the run game a priority.

So if Jeremiah Love slides to nine, the question becomes whether the Chiefs actually take him. Daniel Jeremiah's mock on SportsCenter had Love falling to Kansas City because the Jets would trade up with the Cardinals to grab Carnell Tate, leaving Love as the best available. The combine chatter said no chance, but the board keeps shifting.

The more realistic scenarios line up with Veach's own list. Edge is the cleanest fit. Bailey and Reese should be gone by nine, which puts Ruben Bain, Jihaad Campbell type names, and Kellrick Faulk on the table. Faulk's draft status has been pegged much later, but Kansas City could take the shot. Peter Schrager reported Bain visited the Chiefs on Thursday, which would be no surprise given Bain's fit.

On the offensive line, Spencer Fano could be available, Francis Mauigoa would be a stretch, and Kaden Proctor out of Alabama is gaining momentum. Blake Miller from Clemson and Georgia's Monroe Freeling are in the conversation.

In the secondary, with Trent McDuffie traded and the franchise's pattern of rotating corners on rookie deals to avoid paying them market-changing money, Mansour Delane becomes a natural fit. Caleb Downs is on the board if they want to take a shot, but he is a safety. Toney McCoy from Tennessee is another name a lot of people are penciling into the Cowboys' slot at 12.

At receiver, Todd McShay has the Chiefs taking Jordan Tyson from Arizona State. Carnell Tate should be gone. Mai Lemon and Omar Cooper Jr. would be the alternatives if the Chiefs go that direction.

And then there is Love. The Walker contract probably closes the door, but Rich's closing thought was the one that matters: when are the Chiefs going to pick in the top ten again? Probably not soon. So they have to get this one right. The expectation in the room: they will.