It's no surprise to see the Kansas City Chiefs doing their homework on running backs in this draft class for multiple reasons. Not only is the need great on the current Chiefs roster, but the rookie crop for the 2025 NFL Draft is considered to be a very deep one—meaning the team could find real value even late in the three-day event.
The latest evidence of general manager Brett Veach's focus on the backfield can be found in the latest news from NFL reporter Aaron Wilson. He has ShunDerrick Powell from Central Arkansas visiting the Chiefs on Wednesday, just eight days before the draft is set to begin.
The Chiefs are doing their homework at running back in the days before the 2025 NFL Draft.
Powell is a late-round flyer or potential undrafted free agent who profiles as a smaller back (5'7", 175 lbs.) with a ton of production at both North Alabama, where he first played, and Central Arkansas. Powell hit the 1K mark in rushing yards in three of his four collegiate seasons.
Last year, Powell had 164 rushes for 1,343 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, good for a healthy 8.2 yards per carry average. He also caught another 36 catches for 318 yards and 3 scores through the air.
There's no denying Powell's dynamism, as illustrated by his RAS below:
The downside here is his stature, which will limit how teams can use him at the pro level. But the Chiefs have a knack for masking limitations and maximizing strengths on offense, so it stands to reason that Powell could be worth a late-round draft choice.
If anything Powell could serve as competition at running back overall for the newly-signed Elijah Mitchell. Mitchell comes to the Chiefs with a long injury history, so nothing is a given there, and the Chiefs could breathe a bit easier knowing they'd have options for a scatback.
