The Kansas City Chiefs have three games left on the schedule, but the focus has already started shifting to the offseason. With Patrick Mahomes down for an extended period of time with a torn ACL and LCL, the focus will be on building the rest of the roster out.
The running back position will be a major area that needs some revamping, and former Penn State standout rusher Nicholas Singleton is an option that will be appealing to the Chiefs. On Tuesday, it was announced that Singleton will be participating in the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl.
And with the Chiefs' history of selecting players from the Senior Bowl, Singleton could be someone who catches the attention of Brett Veach and the front office.
Nicholas Singleton Could Be a Target for Chiefs in 2026 NFL Draft
It was recently reported that Isiah Pacheco isn't involved in the team's plans for the future, as he is set to become a free agent. Kareem Hunt and Elijah Mitchell will also hit free agency in the offseason, which would only leave Brashard Smith as the only running back on the roster.
Running back has been a major talking point for this team, as they were interested in Breece Hall ahead of the trade deadline but failed to pull the trigger. That's where a player like Singleton would be intriguing.
He was a four-year starter for the Penn State Nittany Lions, where he was a focal point in the ground game, going over 1,000 yards in two seasons. Over 53 collegiate games, Singleton had 3,461 rushing yards (5.6 yards per carry) with 45 rushing touchdowns. He also averaged 65.4 rushing yards per game.
Singleton is an explosive runner who has acceleration and speed to help him pull away from defenders. He also has smooth hands coming out of the backfield (102 catches, 987 receiving yards) and has been deployed in several ways as a receiver.
Receiving an invitation to the Senior Bowl is a major honor. It provides these players with the opportunity to connect with NFL coaches and front offices. This is especially true since it's a week-long event, where the two teams will be coached by NFL staff. Giving players the chance to start making an imprint.
During the 2025 NFL draft, the Chiefs selected Josh Simmons, Nohl Williams, and Omarr Norman-Lott, all of whom attended the Senior Bowl. It looked like they enjoyed speaking with those guys, and it's obvious they left an impression on Kansas City as well.
It's not a surprise that NFL teams like players who attend the Senior Bowl. It shows that these players were among the best seniors in the nation and also played a ton of college football. That's what these teams are looking for, and Singleton is someone who will check those boxes.
Considering that Singleton will be down in Mobile, Alabama, the Chiefs will get a nice look at what he can bring, and based on the franchise's history of snagging Senior Bowl guys, he's someone to watch.
His draft projection currently slots him as a third-round pick, which would be ideal for the Chiefs, allowing them to use their first and second-round picks to improve the roster elsewhere. We are still four months away from the NFL Draft, but it's not too early to start scouting, and Singleton is a player who should be on Kansas City's list.