The Chiefs' RB room has been the source of a lot of controversy over the last couple of months. Isiah Pacheco is the favorite for the job, but he struggled last season after a fibula fracture caused him to miss some time. Kareem Hunt and Elijah Mitchell are veterans on one-year deals who will compete for a spot on the roster. The last spot will likely be reserved for seventh-round rookie Brashard Smith, who has caught a lot of eyes in camp as both a running back and a return man.
Many fans were frustrated that the Chiefs did not sign a big-name back in free agency and elected to go into the draft with just Pacheco, Mitchell, and Hunt on the roster. Then, on draft day, many fans got excited, hoping the Chiefs would land one of the big-name backs in a loaded draft class. The Chiefs waited on the seventh round to take a running back, much to the chagrin of fans who got their hopes up about some of the draft's top RBs.
The Chiefs also have Carson Steele, a UDFA last year, who will also compete for a roster spot, and last year made the opening day roster as the team's fullback. If you include Steele, the Chiefs will only have two of their five backs under contract as they enter next season. With Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt, and Elijah Mitchell all hitting free agency, Brett Veach and the Chiefs front office will have to explore all of their options.
When it comes to free agency, I almost always am opposed to signing a running back to a long-term deal as the market for running backs simply isn't there. But in the draft, the hit rate on mid/late round backs is fairly high, and Isiah Pacheco is the perfect example of just that. Today, I took a look at the most likely RB options for the Chiefs in the 2026 NFL draft.
1. Bryson Washington, Baylor
Washington is my favorite option for the Chiefs in the 2026 class and is one of my most underrated players regardless of position. If you are a Jayhawks fan, you are well acquainted with Washington after he torched KU for over 150 yards in their final regular-season game last year. He was a 1000-yard rusher in 2024, and his athletic profile is exactly what the Chiefs look for with blazing speed and great accelaration to hit gaps with authority. He is projected to be a Day 3 pick, but could rise some and would be a great addition with one of the Chiefs' fourth-round picks.
2. Jonah Coleman, Washington
Coleman is a stocky power back who comes in at just 5-foot-8, 225 pounds. That build is very reminiscent of former Chiefs first-round pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and has the running style Andy Reid looks for. Fans should not be turned away from the comparison to CEH, as Coleman is more explosive and is an elite pass blocker, a trait that would be very valuable in Andy Reid's offense. Coleman is a projected early-Day 3 guy and is someone I would love to see the Chiefs add with one of their fourths or even their late third-round pick.
3. Roman Hemby, Indiana
Roman Hemby is a guy whom I have been a fan of since he became draft-eligible three years ago at the University of Maryland. His electric sophomore season put him on scouts' radar when he almost eclipsed 1000 yards on the year. He is an explosive athlete with good speed and acceleration to hit gaps hard and get upfield quickly. When I was a student at College Park, I had a class with Hemby, and I was impressed by how humble and down-to-earth he was despite all his accomplishments. His blend of talent and strong mentality is exactly what the Chiefs want in their RB room.
4. CJ Baxter, Texas
Baxter enters the year as one of the biggest wild cards in the draft. As a freshman in 2023, Baxter exploded onto the scene and even took snaps from Jonathan Brooks, Jaydon Blue, and Quintravion Wisner. But an offseason knee injury kept him out all of last season, and this year, teams are keeping a close eye on how he returns. The 6-foot-1, 230-pound back has more than just power, and his feel for the game is impressive. He has great patience in the back field and waits for the play to develop in front of him, an underrated skill that will be valuable behind Trey Smith and Creed Humphrey. Based on his play as a freshman, Baxter is my second-ranked back in the 2026 class (only behind Singleton), and if he falls into Round 2, he could be a steal.