Chiefs Competing With AFC West Rivals For Potential Isiah Pacheco Backup

The Chiefs have the luxury of choice in the upcoming NFL Draft just over two weeks away. They aren't shoehorned into picking one specific position in a given round, so Brett Veach can let the board fall to him and take his favorite prospects accordingly.

Kansas City has been vigilant about conducting pre-draft visits and despite signing Clyde Edwards-Helaire to a one-year deal, it's likely they'll either draft another running back or sign another player in free agency, potentially even Jerick McKinnon.

They've been scouting former UCLA and Ball State star running back Carson Steele as an option, though it sounds like they've got competition across the AFC West.

Chiefs, Chargers and Raiders Are All Visiting UCLA RB Carson Steele

Speaking with the Indy Star, Steele revealed that he has already visited with the Chargers and Raiders and has one scheduled with the Chiefs. He has virtual meetings scheduled with "10 to 12 teams" and seems to be garnering interest despite not being invited to the NFL Combine.

Steele burst onto the scene in 2022, rushing for 1,556 yards and 14 TDs at Ball State. After transferring to UCLA, Steele rushed for 847 yards on 5.1 yards per carry with eight total TDs. He's a true power back with some receiving chops as well, bench-pressing 225 pounds 28 times at his pro day.

He's not a perfect prospect of course, as his 4.77 40-yard dash indicates. That being said, he's got great balance and vision, with a willingness to pass block and play special teams.

I could imagine Steele being an effective short-yardage specialist as well, an area that the Chiefs have struggled with over the last few years. He wouldn't require a valuable draft pick, and it'd be even sweeter to swoop him before an AFC West rival can.

We'll see what happens in the draft, but Steele is a late-round option to keep in mind as we approach the big day.

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