Kenneth Walker III
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The Kansas City Chiefs have a powerhouse running back in Kenneth Walker III, and here's how they can help him.
The Kansas City Chiefs have to shake things up going into the 2026-27 season, following a disappointing run that left the team with a 6-11 record and no trip to the postseason. They’re already doing it, too, by signing Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III to their squad.
The Chiefs have a powerhouse running back in Walker. During the 2025 NFL regular season, Walker clocked 221 carries for 1,027 rushing yards and five touchdowns, according to NFL research. It’s numbers like that which earned him Super Bowl MVP.
“Winning coaching. Watching over the years, been to plenty of Super Bowls, and you know, they know how to win. So, I felt like it’s a great fit for me,” Walker said of why he’s exciting to come to the Chiefs during his introductory press conference. He added that he appreciated them coming to him early, stating, “It means a lot, you feel appreciated and wanted, that’s what everybody wants. So, I’m just happy to get in here and be able to get to know the guys and work.”
The Kansas City Chiefs signed Walker to a maximum of $45 million over three years, with $28.7 million of his contract fully guaranteed at signing. But, he can’t do it alone, and the Chiefs can do more to help him.
Kansas City Chiefs Urged to Target High-Caliber Running Back in 2026 NFL Draft
The Chiefs are being urged to get a star running back to pair with Walker during the 2026 NFL draft in April. It might seem odd to go for a running back early in the draft when they already have Walker, but they need depth, and Walker can’t do it alone. So, consider a running back selection from the Chiefs a bit sneaky, because it’s unexpected.
In a Saturday, March 15 feature for Arrowhead Addict, Matthew Chabot named a handful of running backs to watch. He especially likes Roman Hemby of Indiana.
“Roman Hemby is one of the most experienced and well-rounded players in the nation, let alone at running back,” he states in the feature. “After being a four-year starter at Maryland, Hemby was somewhat forced out of College Park and, after entering the transfer portal, landed at Indiana.”
He adds of the player, “With the Hoosiers, he helped the team win a national championship and ran for over 1,000 yards on the year. Hemby is a strong back who is a capable receiver and ball carrier, and that versatile skill set would be a great complement to the Chiefs’ current RB room.”
Running Back Would Be a Solid Addition to Kansas City Chiefs’ Roster
Hemby’s NFL draft profile is glowing, stating that he’s a “hard-charging runner with average vision/burst but good decisiveness and the ability to finish through contact.”
“Hemby is wired for hard running inside, but he has the one-cut quickness to succeed on zone carries,” the profile adds. “He has stop-start quickness to reset the run against penetration but rarely looks to elude tacklers once he hits it downfield. Punishing collisions are inevitable for defensive backs looking to tackle him in the open field.”
The NFL projects him to be a day three pick and “potential three-down backup who can handle short-yardage carries right away.” But, he could be picked sooner, so the Chiefs are likely doing their homework on Hemby to see if he’s the right fit.