Isiah Pacheco looked like a seventh-round steal when Kansas City drafted him at No. 251 in 2022. Two productive seasons and a pair of Super Bowl rings later, injuries have suddenly cast doubt on his future with the Chiefs. Now, with his rookie contract expiring and his 2024 season cut short, the writing might be on the wall.
Could Kansas City Chiefs Use 2 Draft Picks to Rebuild Around Isiah Pacheco’s Uncertainty?
Pacheco delivered exactly what the Chiefs needed during his first two seasons on his four-year, $3.7 million rookie contract. He rushed for 830 yards as a rookie, then improved to 935 yards in his second season. However, his real impact came when it mattered most. Pacheco racked up 197 rushing yards during the Chiefs’ first championship run, then exploded for 313 yards in their repeat Super Bowl victory.
The 2024-25 campaign told a different story. Injuries limited Pacheco to just 310 yards and one touchdown on 83 carries, raising serious questions about his durability and long-term value. If this decline continues into 2025-26, PFSN’s Bentley Weissman predicts the Chiefs will address their backfield through the draft, selecting two running backs to replace Pacheco’s production.
In his latest 2026 NFL mock draft, Weissman projects Kansas City will draft 31st overall and target two proven college producers. He has the Chiefs selecting Oklahoma’s Jaydn Ott at 63rd overall and Indiana’s Roman Hemby at 95th overall. Both players rank among PFSN’s top 10 running backs in the 2026 class, bringing different but complementary skill sets to Kansas City’s offense.
What Makes Jaydn Ott and Roman Hemby Ideal Fits for Chiefs?
Ott is a unique runner. He is built with natural leverage and compact mass that supplements his contact balance. But along with that natural running leverage, Ott also has impressive long-strider explosiveness and speed, which he can use to surge through gaps and stretch vertical creases.
Can Jaydn Ott have a Doak Walker Award-winning season in 2025? 👀👀
Ott is already 7th on Cal’s all-time rushing TD list (23) and primed for a massive year. Look for the senior RB to lead the Bears
The running back announced his arrival in spectacular fashion during his very first college game, rushing for over 100 yards and adding a receiving touchdown. Three weeks later, Ott delivered one of the season’s most dominant performances, exploding for 274 yards and three touchdowns on just 19 carries against Arizona. Those early showings foreshadowed his breakout 2023 season.
As a true sophomore in 2023, Ott put together a monster season with 246 carries for 1,315 yards and 12 TDs. He also contributed as a receiver, hauling in 25 catches for 169 yards and two additional scores. Unfortunately, a high ankle sprain early in 2024Â derailed his momentum. The injury affected his efficiency throughout the season, causing him to slip under the radar.
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Ott’s transfer to Oklahoma this offseason represents a fresh start that could reignite his career. When healthy, he “excels as an explosive north-south runner with fast feet and vertical speed, and flashes legitimate receiving upside,” exactly the type of versatile weapon Kansas City values in their offensive system.
Meanwhile, Hemby offers a different but equally appealing skill set. The 6-foot, 208-pound back burst onto the scene as a sophomore in 2022 with 989 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on 188 carries.
Hemby also proved his value as a pass-catcher, recording 33 receptions for 298 yards and another touchdown. While his efficiency dipped over the next two seasons, Hemby remains a legitimate speed threat with exceptional contact balance for his size.
ROMAN HEMBY 75-YARD TD!!!! 💥 @TerpsFootball pic.twitter.com/rswW469gkx
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 28, 2024
“At 6’0″, 208 pounds, Hemby profiles as a compact, energized runner with a full bag of moves, from lateral one-cuts and shakes to second-nature spins inside gaps,” PFSN’s Ian Cummings wrote. “He’s a capable space reader, explosive through creases, and can be tough to run down.
“Joining fellow transfer and 2026 NFL Draft prospect Fernando Mendoza in Indiana’s backfield, Hemby has a chance to attain career-high numbers in 2025-26. He’ll be a 24-year-old rookie, but his complete running profile and dutiful receiving production bode well.”
If Pacheco can rebound, he’ll remain a key piece in Kansas City’s backfield. But if injuries persist, the Chiefs may already be eyeing his successors in Ott and Hemby. Either way, the 2026 draft could mark the start of a new era for Andy Reid’s ground game.
