The Kansas City Chiefs' draft spot is locked into place, holding the ninth overall pick after the dust settled from Week 18's finale. It is a spot that offers incredible flexibility and could invite the franchise to explore trading down to acquire additional picks. Considering the clear number of needs for this roster and the lack of cap space if the opportunity arises, this decision makes a great deal of sense.
However, if the Chiefs opt to stay locked into their current position, it is fun to look ahead and consider who might be on the draft board when their number is called. Looking at roster needs and current projections, three names stand out as potential fits for the ninth overall pick.
1. RB Jeremiyah Love
It isn't a secret that the Chiefs are badly in need of a star running back and are dealing with notable cap constraints heading into the 2026 offseason. If there is one potential fix for this issue, it is opting to sit in your current position and hoping that Love falls to your draft spot. The Notre Dame product is a clear threat to score anytime he touches the ball and is an electric presence that the Chiefs are badly missing.
This draft pick isn't just about the need in the KC backfield, but taking pressure off Patrick Mahomes, who is coming off an ACL tear. The Chiefs must find an answer that allows the offense to run against inferior teams without Mahomes being forced to put on his cape and carry the offensive load. Love is capable of this and can serve as a great weapon out of the backfield or a consistent every-down back that demands defensive attention.
Drafting Love solves your biggest offensive concern and would open the door for Kareem Hunt to return as the short-yardage option. Overall, it makes far too much sense to ignore if the Chiefs are lucky enough to have a chance to select the talented playmaker.
2. EDGE David Bailey
Kansas City's two biggest needs heading into the offseason are finding a playmaker at running back and building an improved pass rush. If Love isn't on the board, the second-best option is Texas Tech pass rusher David Bailey. The edge rusher is coming off an incredible 2025 season, totaling 14.5 sacks while adding 19.5 tackles for loss. The Chiefs badly need a game wrecker coming off the edge of their defense, and Bailey appears to fit this description perfectly.
While this season is by far the best of Bailey's college career, the pass rusher has 29.0 career sacks, with clear progression being made each season.
The Chiefs have no outside pass rushing presence that is going to scare an opposing offensive line. Bailey gives the franchise a chance to change this and is the exact type of defensive building block the Chiefs should be searching for.
It will be interesting to see what direction the front office chooses to go if both Love and Bailey are on the board when their number is called.
3. DL Peter Woods
The Clemson defensive lineman has an argument as one of the top five prospects in this draft if you're not looking at positional value. The Chiefs badly need a boost in the defensive interior, whether or not Chris Jones is brought back for the 2026 season. While Jones is under contract, there has been a clear regression in productivity, leading to some level of speculation as to whether or not the two sides might explore an offseason trade.
Whether or not Jones returns, Woods is a fit that can help stop the run and consistently demand attention on the inside, inviting double teams and offering an impressive bull rush to the quarterback. If there is one critique or concern, it is a lack of secondary moves.
However, this is something that can be developed for the 6-foot-3 lineman, who offers the exact type of interior presence the roster is currently missing. If both Love and Bailey are off the board, Woods would be a nice consolation prize, helping bolster the KC pass rush and defensive interior.