Latest Kansas City Chiefs trade news isn’t a great sign for one rookie draft pick fighting to make the 53-man roster
The Kansas City Chiefs are allegedly on the hunt for running back help again and that spells bad news for the team’s seventh-round draft pick.
The Kansas City Chiefs’ lack of investment at the running back position could have fans experiencing a case of déjà vu ahead of Week 1, and it could come at the expense of one late-round rookie draft pick.
According to a report from The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, the Chiefs are among three teams making calls in search of running back help. They join the New Orleans Saints and the Cleveland Browns in that venture.
Kansas City was also calling around and looking for running back help ahead of the 2024 NFL season. They landed on RB Samaje Perine during roster cuts after having talks with the Denver Broncos about trading for him. The news that they could be going this route again shouldn’t come as a surprise when the team’s most significant roster moves for the position were to re-sign Kareem Hunt, sign Elijah Mitchell coming off of an injury, and draft SMU RB Brashard Smith in the seventh round.
Chiefs rookie RB Brashard Smith is now on cut watch
In my opinion, the Chiefs have indicated through their actions during the preseason that three running backs are locks for the 53-man roster. Those three are Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt, and Carson Steele. That leaves the team with likely one spot for another running back.
Has Mitchell shown enough to this point to make it? I’d argue the answer is no.
Smith is the one I’m worried about in this situation. He’s been called out by special teams coordinator Dave Toub. He has been unable to crack time with the starting offense, primarily working with the third- and fourth-string units. He’s coming off a preseason Week 2 game, where he was one of the bright spots, averaging 7.6 yards per touch on offense. In preseason Week 1, he was the fifth running back to get snaps. In preseason Week 3, he was the fourth running back to get snaps only because Hunt sat out with a quad injury.
Fans wanted the Chiefs to make a mid-round investment at running back in the 2025 NFL draft. They had plenty of opportunities to do so, but they didn’t. Smith is a fine player, but I don’t think he’s as game-ready as they need him to be for the role they’re envisioning. That shouldn’t come as a surprise either, given that he’s only in his second season playing the position. What they lack is a proper third-down back, akin to Jerick McKinnon. So, where can they find someone in that role?
2 running backs to watch for the Chiefs in trade or during roster cuts
While Commanders RB Brian Robinson Jr. is making all the RB trade headlines right now, I don’t think he’s a fit for what the Chiefs are looking for. They’ve faced off against two teams thus far that realistically should have a surplus of running backs come roster cuts.
Cardinals RB Michael Carter: Of all the potential fits, I might like Carter the most. He had no pressures allowed on six pass-blocking snaps and a perfect five-for-five receiving through two preseason games. With guys like James Conner, Trey Benson, Emari Demarcado, DeeJay Dallas, and Bam Knight also in the room, Carter feels like the odd man out. They might not even have to trade to acquire him.
Seahawks RB George Holani: This is another player the Chiefs have faced in the 2025 preseason who is lower in the pecking order. He has 12 carries for 110 yards and a touchdown, one reception for 20 yards, and allowed no pressures on three pass-blocking snaps. With Kenneth Walker, Zach Charbonnet, Damien Martinez, and Jacardia Wright also in the room, it feels like a good trade offer could pry Holani away.
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