But as we have discussed over the past month, the running back position also deserves attention.
Why? Because Isiah Pacheco is on the final year of his rookie deal, free agent signing Elijah Mitchell is on a one-year deal, so too Kareem Hunt, meaning as things stand, the Chiefs have no running back under contract beyond 2025.
Considering the depth of the running back class, if the Chiefs were to look to add some youth in the later rounds, this is the draft to do it.
“The running back class is probably the deepest class in the draft, and I think you can get a really good player from round one through five,” general manager Brett Veach said. “So with all these players, you’re a few bad weeks away from having no depth at all. I think it’s a good likelihood that one of those players ends up on our roster, and hopefully they’re a dynamic returner.”
So, the Chiefs will be adding a running back in the draft; it is just a matter of where. Plus, Veach confirmed that they will need to be a good returner, which means a speedy option.
With the state of the run game last season (ranked 26th, 101.2 yards per game), the Chiefs need considerable improvement to help ease the pressure on Patrick Mahomes.
Pacheco, Hunt, and Mitchell are all serviceable backs, but there’s no lightning-quick game-changer (Mitchell possibly if he’s healthy).
Given that Veach said the back would need to be a good returner hints that they want player with blistering speed, and exactly who that is remains to be seen.
But one thing is for certain – the Chiefs will be adding another running back in the draft.
