An underrated part of the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl collapse was their run game. While the offensive line’s struggles and a lackluster wide receiver group drew plenty of criticism, their lack of a consistent ground attack was largely overlooked.
An early-season injury to Isiah Pacheco left Kansas City with a major hole in the backfield. Signing Kareem Hunt helped somewhat, but he wasn’t a back that defenses feared. That put even more pressure on the passing game. However, one analyst believes change is coming for the Chiefs in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Kansas City Chiefs Predicted to Bring Back Dynamism to Their Offense
A Week 2 injury derailed Pacheco’s season, sidelining him until late November. He had a strong start, but his absence forced the Chiefs to rely on Hunt, who finished with 728 rushing yards and just 3.6 yards per carry—far from ideal.
Combined with injuries at wide receiver, it was no surprise that Kansas City finished outside the top 10 in PFSN’s Offense+ metric. However, after their Super Bowl struggles, they are unlikely to repeat the same formula.
The latest PFSN mock draft offers a potential solution. With the 66th overall pick in the third round, the Chiefs are projected to select Ohio State standout TreVeyon Henderson. Analyst Ian Cummings kept his explanation brief.
“TreVeyon Henderson is as multifaceted a back you’ll find in the 2025 class. He’s explosive, urgent, and a capable receiver and Andy Reid would use him well.”
Henderson was already a solid running back in his first three seasons at Ohio State, but his 2024 campaign took him to another level. Racking up 1,016 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns was impressive, but his 7.1 yards per carry average was off the charts.
Over four years with the Buckeyes, Henderson proved to be a reliable playmaker, surpassing 4,000 yards from scrimmage. He also thrived in the red zone, scoring 42 rushing and six receiving touchdowns.
His 2021 season was particularly special, featuring 19 total touchdowns. He also posted double-digit touchdown totals in two other seasons.
The Chiefs have already taken steps to improve their backfield, signing former San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell. However, it’s unclear how effective Mitchell will be alongside Patrick Mahomes, as he has spent much of his career as a backup.
Chiefs Could Target Ohio State Developmental Option in NFL Draft
Adding a young, long-term option like Henderson could be Kansas City’s best move. However, he’s not the only skill position player that Cummings believes the Chiefs will add in the draft.
In the second round, he has Kansas City selecting Ole Miss wide receiver Tre Harris. A standout final season with the Rebels boosted Harris’ draft stock, and Cummings believes he could be an excellent third option alongside Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy.
If the Chiefs make multiple additions on offense, they could reignite the explosive offensive style that has worked so well in the past. Now, the question is whether they follow through on these predictions.