Will Isiah Pacheco still be the starting running back for the Kansas City Chiefs by the end of the 2025 season? That’s the big question as the NFL Draft approaches—and a new prediction might hint at a major shake-up.
Head coach Andy Reid recently voiced his support for Pacheco during last week’s NFL Owners Meeting. But actions speak louder than words, and all eyes are now on what the Chiefs do in the upcoming draft.
The 2025 draft class is loaded at the running back position, and some analysts believe Kansas City might pounce. On April 5, Pro Football Network’s Reese Decker predicted the Chiefs will use their second-round pick to snag Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson—a move that could threaten Pacheco’s RB1 status, especially with free agency looming for him in 2026.
Kaleb Johnson: A Legit Day-One Starter?
Drafting Johnson wouldn’t necessarily spell disaster for Pacheco, but it would definitely stir the pot.
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah ranks Johnson 45th overall and fifth among all RBs in this class, praising his “burst” and “vision.” ESPN’s Field Yates also has him as the fifth-best RB, just outside his top 50 overall prospects.
In a detailed scouting breakdown, The 33rd Team’s Kyle Crabbs described Johnson as “a savvy zone runner” with the vision and instincts of a day-one NFL starter. He also highlighted Johnson’s blend of size and agility, noting the 6’1” back is “smooth for a bigger runner” and can “slip through contact” for extra yardage.
Crabbs sees Johnson as a complete back who can thrive in passing situations and eventually become a true three-down workhorse—exactly what the Chiefs may be looking for on Day 2 of the draft.
Chiefs’ RB Struggles in 2024: A Case for Change
There’s good reason the Chiefs might be eyeing a new lead back.
In 2024, Kansas City’s running game didn’t do much to boost the offense. According to Pro Football Focus’ “elusive rating”—a stat that evaluates how much a runner creates on their own, without blocking help—none of the Chiefs’ backs made a real impact.
Here’s how the Chiefs RBs ranked in elusive rating last season:
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Samaje Perine (no longer on the roster): 49.5
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Carson Steele: 46.3
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Kareem Hunt: 40.1
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Isiah Pacheco: 26.6
For comparison, the most elusive Chiefs back would’ve ranked just 38th in the league among backs with at least a 20% snap share. Not exactly stellar.
Looking at another important stat—yards after contact per attempt—Kareem Hunt led KC with 2.61 yards, ranking 42nd league-wide. Pacheco averaged just 2.27 yards, coming in at 50th.
Bottom line: The Chiefs need more from their backfield in 2025, and targeting someone like Kaleb Johnson in the draft could be a move to jumpstart the offense.
