Indianapolis is currently the center of the football universe as the NFL Combine takes over the city, with front offices from all 32 teams hunting for the next generation of legends. While the April 23 Draft feels like a foregone conclusion at the very top-with Indiana’s national champion quarterback Fernando Mendoza almost locked in as the No. 1 pick for the Raiders, the real drama is happening further down the board.
The standout performer of the week hasn’t been a signal-caller, but rather Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love. After finishing third in the Heisman voting, Love arrived in Indy as the undisputed RB1, and he’s doing everything in his power to ensure he doesn’t slip past the top ten.
Jeremiyah Love is the Perfect Fit for the Chiefs at No. 9
Jeremiyah Love didn’t just meet expectations at the Combine; he shattered them. Clocking in with a blistering 4.36-second 40-yard dash, he recorded the second-fastest time of the day behind only Arkansas’ Mike Washington Jr.
To put that in perspective, Love’s time matches Detroit’s Jahmyr Gibbs, yet Love carries 13 pounds more muscle. His combine speed was officially faster than the numbers put up by Jonathan Taylor, Saquon Barkley, Bijan Robinson, and even Christian McCaffrey during their respective showcases.
For the Kansas City Chiefs, sitting at the No. 9 spot, Love represents more than just a “luxury pick”, he represents a necessary reset. Both Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt are headed for free agency, and after a 2025 season that saw Kansas City miss the playoffs for the first time in a decade, the consensus around Arrowhead is that the backfield needs a total overhaul.
While teams in the top eight are expected to focus heavily on quarterbacks, offensive line depth, and defensive anchors, the Chiefs have to keep a wary eye on “spoilers” like the Cardinals (#3), Titans (#4), and Saints (#8). If Love makes it to nine, pairing his elite speed with Patrick Mahomes, Rashee Rice, and Xavier Worthy could be the spark that returns the Chiefs to the top of the mountain.
Free Agency or the Draft in Kansas City’s Plans
The chess match officially begins on March 11 when free agency opens, and the moves made there will dictate exactly how the Chiefs approach the April 23 Draft. The market is currently flooded with elite talent, including Travis Etienne Jr., Breece Hall, and Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker.
If Jerry Veach decides to pull the trigger on a veteran bell-cow like Walker or Hall in March, it becomes much harder to justify using a top-ten pick on a running back. However, if they strike out in free agency, Love becomes the ultimate “Plan A.”
Love’s resume at Notre Dame is certainly worth the high-draft-pick gamble. In 2025, he was the engine of the Irish offense, racking up 1,480 rushing yards and 18 total touchdowns, adding another 450 yards through the air. Throughout his career in South Bend, he averaged a staggering 6.2 yards per carry, proving he has the vision to match his world-class speed. Whether the Chiefs address the position in free agency or wait for the Draft, one thing is clear: the status quo in the Kansas City backfield is officially over.
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