With the NFL Draft just a few days away, NFL teams are locking down their final rankings for the 2024 class. The Kansas City Chiefs have a fairly strong need at running back, despite bringing back Clyde Edwards-Helaire. It's hard to feel good about any part of their running back room outside of Isiah Pacheco. While the positional value of running back is a never-ending argument; the Chiefs need to upgrade the position one way or another.
It's worth noting that this running back class is very limited, particularly at the top. Last year, we saw Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs go off the board in the first 12 picks, this year is a stark contrast to that class. Taking any of the backs even in the second round would be a stretch based on their value and ability. A team might talk themselves into it, but hopefully, the Chiefs are not that team.
To keep up with all of the best prospects in the NFL Draft, make sure to bookmark theArrowhead Addict Big Board, a Chiefs-specific draft board tailored to the team's roster needs. Here are our rankings of the top running backs available for the Chiefs in this year's NFL Draft.
1. Trey Benson, Florida State
Trey Benson is one of the few backs in this class who could profile as a top back in the league (given the right situation ). His 6'00 215lbs frame provides solid contact balance and he still possesses above-average speed as well. Zero fumbles in his college career, was highly productive in his final season, and has shown promise in the passing game as well.
Without the ACL tear this fall, Jonathon Brooks would be our top back. However, his recovery and the track record of ACL tears and running backs give some reason for pause. Brooks has scheme versatility (zone and gap) and terrific vision. Though he had one year as a starter he showed plus ability to break tackles as well. The questions around his injury and one year of production make him a controversial player for where he will likely be drafted.
3. Jaylen Wright, Tennessee
Benson and Brooks are the only backs who profile out as true three-down backs coming out of school. Jaylen Wright (and others) can develop into those types of backs, but might be best suited to a committee early on. Wright is an electric back with breakaway speed. He's soundly built and doesn't have lots of college carries piled up on his body. He's shown positive signs in the passing game but it can't be described as a strength of his game coming out.
When it comes to certain players you have to get excited about the floor rather than the ceiling of their talent. It feels like there are very few paths for Corum to not be at least a useful part-time back in an offense. His smaller frame makes him hard to tackle, his vision is excellent. If the blocking scheme has 5 yards blocked up he's going to get those 5 yards every time. Soon to be 24 years old with 675 college carries, there are some injury concerns. He declared a year later than anticipated due to an injury as well.
5. Marshawn Lloyd, USC
Lloyd is another small back who showcases burst and lateral agility. He has excellent patience in the backfield. He's not been used a ton in the passing game but has flashed there as well. With average long speed and 8 career college fumbles, there are some concerns about his role. However, he can be a spark plug in an RB rotation
Bucky Irving is undersized and didn't test very well at the combine. but it's hard to give up on his production in college. Irving has almost 3,000 career rushing yards and 95 receptions at Oregon. He's an elusive runner who uses his low center of gravity well. He takes care of the ball too (1 career fumble) despite being undersized. He profiles as a passing down back.
7. Braelon Allen, Wisconsin
Braelon Allen might be one of the tougher evaluations in this class. He is one of the youngest draft prospects ever (still 20) and is built like a linebacker. However, his skill set is a little puzzling. Despite his big frame, he's not a broken tackle runner, and despite his athleticism, he's not a home run hitter either. Due to the Badger offense, he has very little pass-catching experience as well. In the right hands he could be the next fantasy football star or he could be rotational depth.
Explosive and shifty, Will Shipley is at his best outside the tackles or catching the ball. He is one of the quicker backs in the class and has above-average lateral agility. Contact balance is a concern as he often goes down on first contact. He doesn't have top-end speed and is too slightly built to be a every down back.
9. Audric Estime, Notre Dame
Audric Estime looks like a traditional every-down back in the NFL (5'11" 222 lbs.) and he's still 20 years old too. On film he looks explosive and powerful, ripping off chunk plays between the tackles. The testing for him was underwhelming considering the burst he showed on tape. He will benefit from a gap-heavy scheme.
Guerendo put on one of the best performances at the combine this year. His speed and explosiveness pop when he gets the ball. However, those traits haven't ever fully transferred as he's not been very productive in college. A dynamic one-cut runner, who has shown ability in the passing game as well; there's hope he will be a better pro than a college player if he can stay healthy.
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