The NFL Draft might be just hours away, but the rumor mill is heating up fast. According to league insider Tom Pelissero, the New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs are both exploring trade-up opportunities from their top-10 slots. With the Saints holding the 8th pick and the Chiefs right behind at 9th, these two franchises could shake up the board in a big way.
Why the sudden urgency? Both teams share a glaring weakness that could be solved by one man: Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. Over the last two seasons, Love has been a machine, piling up over 3,000 all-purpose yards and 40 touchdowns while powering the Fighting Irish to a 24-4 record. He's widely regarded as the best back in this draft class, and for good reason.
The need is real. The Saints haven't had a 1,000-yard rusher since 2017, and the Chiefs' drought stretches just as long. While both offenses have relied on elite passing games to mask that deficiency, the calculus is shifting. New Orleans is now developing young quarterback Tyler Shough, while Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City is carrying an increasingly heavy load. A dominant ground game could take the pressure off both signal-callers and open up the playbook.
But here's the kicker: trading up for a running back in today's NFL is a bold, risky move. Picking one in the top five is already controversial—giving up extra capital to do so could cost a general manager their job if the player doesn't produce immediately. The scrutiny is intense, as past draft-day gambles have shown. Still, Love's blend of power, speed, and versatility might be worth the gamble for a team that believes it's one piece away from contention.
Of course, this could all be smoke. Teams often float trade rumors to create leverage or distract from their true intentions. The Saints and Chiefs might have their eyes on other positions entirely—like edge rusher or offensive tackle—or they might not trade up at all. That's the beauty of draft speculation: it keeps everyone guessing until the picks are in.
For now, the buzz is real. If either team pulls the trigger on a move for Love, it would be one of the most talked-about moments of the night—right up there with Fernando Mendoza's aunt stealing the show or Carson Beck defying QB projections. But in a league where running backs are often devalued, this kind of aggressive move could redefine how teams approach the position.
Stay tuned. The draft floor is about to get interesting.
