Chiefs RB Trade Hot Board: Breece Hall, Alvin Kamara and other options that could make sense for Kansas City

The Kansas City Chiefs are in the market for a running back at the trade deadline according to recent reports.

Charles Goldman — NFL Managing Editor
Add as preferred source on Google

The Kansas City Chiefs are in the market for a running back with the trade deadline approaching, according to recent reports.

The Chiefs are gaining momentum after returning to .500 with a win against the Detroit Lions in Week 6, and it has the football-loving masses wondering how they can improve the team as they make a push in the AFC.

They’ve got WR Rashee Rice slated to return from suspension in Week 7 against the Las Vegas Raiders, which will surely help. The team can also improve by acquiring players through trades.

The defensive side of the ball seems to need some help in the pass rush department, but as we know from the Josh Uche deal a season ago, it’s hard to find impact players at those positions midseason. Running back makes a lot of sense for the Chiefs, given that an impactful acquisition will likely come at a lower cost.

The NFL trade deadline is on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Which players could be on the radar for Kansas City? Here are my thoughts on the various options available to the Chiefs.

Tier 1 running back trade options for the Chiefs

Jets RB Breece Hall

This is the move the Chiefs need to make to get back to doing what they like in the running game. Hall leads the NFL in explosive runs (10+ yards) out of zone blocking schemes, with 11 explosive runs this season. That accounts for 16.9% of his rushes this season, where he leads the NFL in attempts from zone blocking.

He’s pretty effective running out of shotgun and leads the NFL in receiving yards by a running back since 2023 (1,074). The kicker to this move is that if you’re trading for Hall, you’ve likely got to make a long-term commitment to him and pair it with an extension. His contract expires in March, and he’ll be seeking a new deal.

Saints RB Alvin Kamara

The most significant benefit to Kamara is that you get a veteran player who is likely to make an immediate contribution, which is something that seems to be needed. However, this likely doesn’t fix any long-term needs at running back.

Kamara is 30 years old, so there’s a bit of risk involved if you trade for him. He’s still an effective rusher with 83 carries for 314 rushing yards and one touchdown this season. He also has 22 receptions for 122 yards. Kamara is under contract through the 2026 season, but if the trade doesn’t work out, well, the Chiefs can cut him and save $18 million in cap space, with less than a $400K dead money hit.

Dolphins RB De’Von Achane

It’s hard to imagine Achane becoming available unless Dolphins owner Stephen Ross decides to move on from HC Mike McDaniel. The latest reports suggest that he’s apprehensive about doing so, but it’s still worth considering the possibility that this team might make some moves at the trade deadline.

Since the Phins selected Achane in the 2023 NFL Draft, they’ve added Jaylen Wright (2024) and Ollie Gordon II (2025) in the draft. Achane has 79 carries for 390 yards and three rushing touchdowns this season and may be one of their only actual assets that could return some value as they attempt another rebuild in Miami.

Tier 2 running back trade options for the Chiefs

Tony Pollard

The Titans just fired head coach Brian Callahan, and former Chiefs front office member Mike Borgonzi is their general manager. He might be willing to make a deal with his former colleague Brett Veach.

Tony Pollard is on pace for the best rushing total of his career behind a pretty bad Titans offensive line. The 28-year-old also has no guaranteed money left on his contract and can be cut in 2026 if things don’t work out. At best, you’re getting a good back for the next two years. At worst, you can cut ties in 2026.

Jaylen Wright

Wright hasn’t played much since being selected in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. I’ve already covered him as an option for Kansas City, but this is not the type of move that you make if you’re looking for an immediate contributor. It’s the type of move you make if you’re looking to add someone who can be a cheap, long-term option.

Non-trade options that could pay off long-term for the Chiefs

Audric Estime

Estime is a former Denver Broncos draft pick who was released during 53-man roster cuts and spent the majority of the 2025 NFL season on the practice squad with the Philadelphia Eagles.

He was waived this week, and if he clears waivers, he could be of interest to Kansas City for its practice squad. Former Chiefs RB coach Deland McCullough coached the bruising running back at Notre Dame. Estime could be an understudy to a player like Kareem Hunt, where he works as a short-yardage specialist.

Damien Martinez

Martinez visited the Chiefs during the pre-draft process. The late-round pick by the Seahawks remains unsigned after he was released from the Seattle practice squad in late September.

He feels like a good long-term option who could sign to the practice squad, learn, and potentially contribute in the 2026 NFL season and beyond.

Chiefs GM Brett Veach Trade Deadline Quick Facts:

Veach has made trade deadline deals to acquire players in each of the past two seasons, adding WR Mecole Hardman from the Jets (2023), LB/DE Joshua Uche from the Patriots (2024), and WR DeAndre Hopkins from the Titans (2024). He’s not sent more than a Day 3 pick in trade for each player.

Related Articles