Through the first half of the 2025 season, Kansas City’s rushing attack has been frustratingly inconsistent. Isaiah Pacheco hasn’t displayed the same burst or balance that made him a Super Bowl standout, and Kareem Hunt, while still dependable in short-yardage and pass protection, is clearly past his prime. The Chiefs also continue to rely heavily on Patrick Mahomes’ arm, but the lack of a consistent ground game has made the offense one-dimensional at times.
Looking ahead, things get even more uncertain: neither Pacheco nor Hunt is under contract beyond 2025, leaving Kansas City’s running back room wide open entering the 2026 NFL Draft. That’s why Chiefs fans (and general manager Brett Veach) should already have their eyes on three college backs: Jeremiyah Love of Notre Dame, Justice Haynes of Michigan, and Le’Veon Moss of Texas A&M.
Each back offers a unique skill set that could perfectly complement Andy Reid’s offense and fit the Chiefs’ evolving offensive system.
#4 | Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame)
NC State v Notre Dame
NC State v Notre Dame | Michael Miller/ISI Photos/GettyImages
Archetype: True Elusive Back with Real Receiving Ability
Projected Round: Mid-1st
An elusive back with true receiving chops, Jeremiyah Love brings the kind of burst and fluidity that fits perfectly in Kansas City’s offense. He’s explosive in space, thrives in RPO and zone-run schemes, and has the quick jump-cuts and acceleration reminiscent of James Cook. Love’s ability to create mismatches as a receiver, run precise routes, and utilize his game-breaking speed make him a potential highlight reel waiting to happen.
Love still needs refinement in the finer details. He often hits holes too early, showing limited patience behind his blockers, which drastically limits him in short-yardage situations. His pass protection is also a work in progress, as he lacks the lower-body strength and aggression needed to hold up against blitzing linebackers and stunting defensive linemen.
However, with more polish, he could easily develop into Kansas City’s next dynamic third-down and space-play specialist — something we haven't seen since running back Jerick McKinnon donned the red and gold.
Let’s start the Jeremiyah Love 2026 NFL Draft hype early. Insane explosiveness, improving power, and dynamic talent in the pass game.
Elite upside pic.twitter.com/JE27IGbzLe
— Ryan Roberts (@RiseNDraft) April 28, 2025
#22 | Justice Haynes (Michigan)
Justice Haynes, Elijah Rikard
Central Michigan v Michigan | Aaron J. Thornton/GettyImages
Archetype: Better Than Average All Around Back
Projected Round: Early-2nd
Possibly my favorite running back in the upcoming draft so far, Justice Haynes, a well-rounded, high-IQ runner, is the type of back every coach loves to have in the room. He’s consistent in pass protection, has elite vision when setting up blocks, and runs with impressive timing and control in zone schemes. It's not that Haynes isn’t flashy, but his short-area quickness and field awareness make him a reliable chain-mover who thrives within structure.
Haynes’ primary limitations stem from his lack of top-end speed, a developing receiving skill set, and an occasionally over-patient running style. At times, he’s guilty of dancing behind the line of scrimmage instead of getting north and south, which costs him those routine two- or three-yard gains that keep drives on schedule.
Haynes also lacks the burst to consistently separate on long runs, and while his receiving ability is serviceable, it still needs refinement to translate at the NFL level. His hands and route execution remain inconsistent, limiting his value in screen concepts and short-yardage passing situations. Still, with continued development as a receiver, Haynes has the vision, balance, and football IQ to become a reliable every-down back in Kansas City’s offense.
Justice Haynes is growing to become one of the premier “home-run threat” runners of the 2026 NFL Draft class.
That’s THREE TDs of 50-plus yards in just four games.
pic.twitter.com/tqEUSVNxhP
— Ian Cummings (@IC_Draft) September 20, 2025
#8 | Le'Veon Moss (Texas A&M)
Le'Veon Moss, Trey Watson, Kolinu'u Faaiu
LSU v Texas A&M | Tim Warner/GettyImages
Archetype: Underdeveloped Athletic Back With Potential
Projected Round: Mid-3rd
Le’Veon Moss is a raw but intriguing athletic back with the kind of power-speed combination that jumps off the screen. He’s fast through the hole, has excellent size for the position, and runs with a violent, contact-seeking style that energizes an offense. Moss also shows natural hands as a receiver and maintains great balance through contact—traits that make him an ideal fit for a KC team looking to reintroduce a player capable of creating yards after contact and elite explosiveness to gain chunk yards back into its ground game.
There are two major downsides to Moss's game: one is that Moss still plays like a developing prospect, and two, he is coming off a serious knee injury (2024) and an ankle injury (2025). His pass protection lacks consistency, he’s inexperienced as a feature back, and his vision can fade when things get crowded. He’s also not particularly shifty in open space (despite his natural quickness), relying more on speed and strength than finesse.
If his medicals come back clear, and with proper coaching, Moss could evolve into a bruising, tone-setting runner who adds a power element Kansas City’s offense has missed since Pacheco’s first year in the league.
Will Aggie RB Le'Veon Moss (@turnUplevee) be more inclined to run out of bounds after his injury?
"Running out of bounds, that's like running from a fight." pic.twitter.com/VoWdxBQmbY
— Tyler Shaw (@TylerShawSports) August 26, 2025
Huge fan of Texas A&M RB Le'Veon Moss (#8). Patient, powerful, explosive, and runs violently. One of the best pure runners in the 2026 NFL Draft class.
Will go much higher than people think if the medicals check out. pic.twitter.com/l0GRRRtyrx
— Ryan Roberts (@RiseNDraft) September 7, 2025
Conclusion
The Chiefs’ offense will always flow through Patrick Mahomes, but the most complete versions of Andy Reid’s playbook have included a dependable, dynamic rushing attack. Whether it’s the elusiveness of Jeremiya Love, the balance and vision of Justice Haynes, or the power and physicality of Le’Veon Moss, each back offers a distinct skill set that could elevate Kansas City’s offense.
With the college football season hitting its midpoint, Chiefs fans should start tuning in to Michigan, Notre Dame, and Texas A&M on Saturdays, because the future of Kansas City’s backfield is almost certainly making highlight plays on those fields.