Chiefs Create Crowded RB Dynamic In Latest Mock Draft

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated Mar 31, 2025 6:01 PM ET

The Kansas City Chiefs had one of the worst rushing attacks in football last season, and being 15-2 in the regular season, that is surprising.

The Chiefs were ranked 26th for yards per game last season, averaging just 101.2 with Kareem Hunt and then Isiah Pacheco returning from injury.

But this offseason, with Hunt being brought back, the Chiefs wanted to add some speed and did so with the free agency signing of Elijah Mitchell. Having missed the entire 2024 season with a hamstring injury, Mitchell will be looking to give the offense some juice out of the backfield.

And if Pro Football Network's latest mock draft is anything to go by, the Chiefs may not be totally set on the makeup of the running back room.

In a three-round mock, the publication has the Chiefs taking Iowa back Kaleb Johnson in the second round.

Coming off a 2024 season that saw him named All-American after rushing for 1,537 yards and a whopping 21 touchdowns while averaging a crisp 6.4 yards per carry, Johnson would come to the Chiefs to create some serious competition.

Built to be a bruising back, Johnson is more of a patient runner instead of a straight line runner, but his size allows him to fall forward and fight for extra yards after contact.

A solid option as a receiver too, after catching 22 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns last season, Johnson could thrive in Andy Reid's system as part of a rotation with Hunt and Pacheco.

The Chiefs do have other needs, but a solid running back with room to grow could be a nice long-term option for the franchise.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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