It's beyond clear that the Kansas City Chiefs and Isiah Pacheco will likely part ways during the 2026 offseason. The back contributed 462 rushing yards on 3.9 yards per carry with a lone touchdown this past season, giving Kansas City little reason to prioritize his return. This is clearly not the production of a starting option and leaves the Chiefs open to drafting a back early in the 2026 draft.
This will especially be the case if the franchise doesn't believe they can land one of this offseason's top free agents at the position. With this in mind, what the RB prospects attending the NFL Combine will be of special interest to Kansas City fans.
It wouldn't be a surprise to see the Chiefs opt to take a shot at fixing the position within the first two days of the draft. This brings us to examine the three most impressive prospects at the position that should have the Chiefs' full attention.
1. Jeremiyah Love: Notre Dame
If Love is still on the board when Kansas City's number is called with the ninth overall pick, it will be difficult to justify any other selection. Love is an explosive runner who finished with 1,372 and 18 touchdowns on the ground and is the prized prospect at the position in this year's class. Not only did Love dominate on the ground, but he also offered 280 receiving yards and a trio of receiving touchdowns.
Love is the complete package and takes pressure off Patrick Mahomes from day one. The real question here isn't whether or not the Chiefs should draft the back, but whether the opportunity will be given, as the eight teams ahead of Kansas City have every reason to be equally tempted to take such a complete playmaker.
For Love, there is no better landing spot than the offense of Andy Reid, where you can step in and be the featured starter from day one. As Mahomes rehabs from a torn ACL, there is likely going to be an effort to ease the quarterback into the starting lineup, and Love helps you do just that.
2. Jonah Coleman: Washington
If the Chiefs opt to sign a free agent, depth at the position is still needed to take pressure off Mahomes. Coleman is the perfect insurance policy, given the rusher had over 1,000 scrimmage yards in each of his last three college seasons. It is also worth noting that Coleman played behind a struggling offensive line in the 2025 season and still managed to produce 758 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns, showing his upside as a potential starter.
Kansas City could opt to go with the strategy of taking a back on day two while also signing a free agent at the position, attempting to form a two-headed attack. We've seen this work at a high level throughout the league with Detroit's Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery and Atlanta's Tyler Allgeier and Bijan Robinson.
Forming this type of duo is perhaps the best way to take early-season pressure off your quarterback and give the franchise a chance at a balanced attack. Add in the fact that Coleman is a capable receiver as well, and the fit makes far too much sense to ignore.
3. Nicholas Singleton-Penn State
Singleton finished the 2025 season with 768 scrimmage yards and 14 touchdowns, taking a slight step back from his previous three seasons. Singleton is a player to keep an eye on throughout the combine, as he presents the perfect buy-low opportunity.
Before the 2025 season, each of his previous three years with Penn State had finished with the back recording well over 1,000 scrimmage yards. It is important to factor in the changing offense and realize that the talent to be a possible long-term answer is still present.
Singleton is much like Coleman in that the Chiefs could select the back with a day two pick and still make a move in free agency. This is attractive as it allows you to cover your bases with more than just one move. It makes far too much sense not to explore as the Chiefs begin evaluating and making decisions on the 2026 draft class.