Chiefs Could Be 'Starting From Scratch' At 1 Key Position

The Kansas City Chiefs have some pressing needs to address in the NFL Draft, which is just under a week away now, and no doubt general manager Brett Veach and head coach Andy Reid are building their draft board.

Given how much it has been highlighted, the offensive line likely sits atop the to-do list in the early rounds, and so does the defensive line, with the need to get more depth at the position. 

However, another key position that might have gone unnoticed in terms of "long-term" projecting has been running back.

Kareem Hunt, Isiah Pacheco, and free agent signing Elijah Mitchell are only under contract for 2025, meaning the entire group could be free agents in 2026.

That's rather problematic, and for ESPN's Adam Teicher, that means getting fresh blood into the room via the draft.

"Mitchell, Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt give the Chiefs enough depth to begin the season, but they've frequently needed to add one back or more in the last few years to cover for injuries," Teicher writes. "None of the three players is signed beyond 2025, so not adding a back in the draft this year could mean starting from scratch in 2026.

"The Chiefs haven't drafted a back since Pacheco in the seventh round in 2022, but this is a good time to add a young player into the mix."

There's no time like the present. Could the Chiefs extend Pacheco? In theory, yes, but that would be provided he has a bounce-back 2025 season.

Hunt might not return after 2025, and depending on what Mitchell does, he might also be on the move. 

This is why having a younger back come in and establish himself in 2025 to potentially take over in 2026 is crucial, and worst case, the running back would give the Chiefs options in the offseason.

Veach stated that there's a good likelihood a back comes to the Chiefs in the draft, and based on how the room is shaping up long-term, it seems rather critical that it does.