Former GM Says Jeremiyah Love Is Worth a Top Pick and a Perfect Fit for the Chiefs
The modern NFL has largely devalued the running back position.
General managers frequently hesitate to invest premium draft capital in a role many believe can be replaced through committee approaches or later round selections.
But that philosophy is beginning to show cracks.
And now, one former executive believes Jeremiyah Love may be the rare prospect capable of redefining the equation for the Kansas City Chiefs.
The shifting perception of elite running backs
For years, front offices have treated running backs as luxury pieces rather than foundational investments.
However, recent history has forced reconsideration.
Kenneth Walker became the first running back in nearly three decades to earn Super Bowl MVP honors since Terrell Davis.
The year prior, Saquon Barkley produced the most rushing yards ever recorded in a single season including the playoffs.
Dynamic backs such as Christian McCaffrey and Bijan Robinson have demonstrated how versatility can tilt playoff matchups.
Since 2017, six running backs have been selected within the top 12 of the NFL Draft.
While positional value debates persist, elite production at the position continues to influence championships.
That context matters as Kansas City weighs its options with the ninth overall pick.
Why Jeremiyah Love stands apart
Former NFL general manager Mike Tannenbaum made his stance clear this week.
He described Love as a “true, dynamic difference maker.”
At Notre Dame, Love averaged 6.9 yards per carry across his final two seasons.
In 2024, he rushed for 1,125 yards and 17 touchdowns on just 163 carries.
He followed that with 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2025, finishing third in Heisman voting.
At six feet tall and 214 pounds, Love combines acceleration with power.
He is not merely a between the tackles runner.
Across his collegiate career, he recorded 63 receptions for 594 yards and six touchdowns.
In 2025 alone, he averaged 10.4 yards per catch.
That dual threat capability aligns seamlessly with modern offensive systems.
The Mahomes factor
Kansas City’s offense remains anchored by Patrick Mahomes.
However, recent postseason exits have revealed vulnerabilities when the passing game stalls under pressure.
An explosive running back capable of generating chunk plays without perfect blocking could rebalance the attack.
Tannenbaum emphasized that Love’s presence could allow Mahomes to operate with less strain.
Play action would become more dangerous.
Defensive coordinators would face expanded coverage dilemmas.
The Chiefs have thrived on creativity, but sustained offensive balance could prolong Mahomes’ prime.
Lessons from past top draft investments
Critics often cite cautionary tales when discussing early running back selections.
Yet context matters.
Leonard Fournette did not reach a Super Bowl with Jacksonville but played a pivotal postseason role for Tampa Bay in a championship run that defeated Kansas City.
McCaffrey reached a Super Bowl with San Francisco after a midseason trade.
Barkley left New York and later captured a title with Philadelphia.
Notably, each of those Super Bowl appearances came opposite the Chiefs.
That irony underscores how transformative backs can shift championship outcomes when placed in the right ecosystem.
Is Love the exception
The argument against drafting running backs early remains rooted in contract economics and injury volatility.
However, every draft class presents unique outliers.
Love’s production, athletic profile, and receiving versatility position him within that rare category.
If Kansas City believes he can anchor the offense for five cost controlled years, the ninth overall pick becomes less about positional value and more about offensive evolution.
The Chiefs have built a dynasty on bold, calculated decisions.
Selecting Love would signal a willingness to zig where others zag.
Whether Kansas City ultimately makes that move remains uncertain.
What is clear is that Jeremiyah Love has entered the conversation as more than just another running back prospect.
He represents a potential strategic pivot for a franchise perpetually chasing championships.
