Chiefs mock-draft roundup: Jeremiyah Love emerges as clear favorite for No. 9
Compiled mock-draft data through Feb. 12, 2026 (ET) shows Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love leading early projections for the Kansas City Chiefs’ ninth-overall pick, but offensive line and receiver names continue to surface as realistic alternatives as the draft landscape shifts ahead of the Combine.
Jeremiyah Love tops early consensus
Tracking of 29 unique mock drafts published since Jan. 12, 2026 (ET) reveals Love as the most-frequent match for the Chiefs at No. 9, appearing in 41% of those simulations. Love’s momentum reflects both his college production and the Chiefs’ clear need for more playmaking in the ground game after a down season. Historical context helps explain why a tailback rising into the top 10 feels possible: recent drafts have seen high picks at the position, such as players taken sixth and eighth overall in prior years.
Coaching hires boost the Love argument
The addition of an offensive coordinator with prior ties to a physical, multifaceted rushing attack and a running backs coach with a strong pro reputation is bolstering the case for taking a back early. Mock drafters note that staff philosophies can alter draft-day priorities, and Love’s combination of size, burst and receiving upside fits the profile of an instant-impact piece for a team that wants to stabilize its rushing production and complement its passing game.
Defensive prospects and the Bain/Downs debate
While Love leads the pack, defensive names remain prominent in simulations. Edge and secondary prospects occupy spots immediately surrounding the Chiefs’ pick in many mocks, with a Miami edge defender and an Ohio State safety among the most-cited alternatives. Those options appeal to a franchise seeking more pass-rush juice and coverage depth after a season that exposed several defensive weaknesses.
Receiver intrigue: Jordyn Tyson and the room’s future
Wide receiver is another frequent theme. An Arizona State speed-and-size prospect appears in a meaningful share of mocks, and other national simulations place different top receivers in range around No. 9. The receiving-room conversation also references existing targets, including rashee rice, as part of an overall evaluation of how many upgrades the offense needs in April and what profile a new addition should bring for quarterback continuity.
Offensive tackle pivot remains a live scenario
Not all mock drafts are aligned behind one player group. Some projections envision a first-round pivot to a premium offensive tackle if a top-ranked lineman slips into the ninth slot. That scenario is attractive because a long-term solution at right tackle would immediately strengthen a unit already building around young and extended starters elsewhere on the line. Analysts emphasize that the team’s roster flexibility could make a lineman an irresistible option if concerns about pass protection dominate pre-draft evaluations.
What to watch between now and the Combine
The next major markers on the calendar are the scouting Combine on April 23-25, 2026 (ET) and a wave of free-agent moves that could change positional priorities. Mock-draft frequency is only a snapshot, and front-office work in March could alter the board significantly. Expect fluctuations in demand for running backs, edge rushers, receivers and tackles as teams clarify cap room and final evaluations come into focus.
For now, the compiled mock-draft picture is clear: Jeremiyah Love is the most common pick at No. 9, but the Chiefs’ final decision will depend on how the draft class shakes out, what the staff values after the Combine, and how veteran roster choices affect immediate needs.
