The Kansas City Chiefs are on the hunt for a new running back, and fans are buzzing with possibilities. Among the free agents, big-play talents like Breece Hall and Kenneth Walker III are catching the Chiefs' eye. Meanwhile, draft enthusiasts are speculating about the team potentially selecting Notre Dame's Jerimayah Love with the ninth pick.
However, drafting Love seems like a long shot. The Chiefs recently watched the Las Vegas Raiders pick up running back Ashton Jeanty, who didn't quite deliver as expected. Free agents like Hall and Walker are more viable options, but the Chiefs face the challenge of balancing multiple needs with limited cap space.
In-house solutions seem unlikely. Isiah Pacheco appears to be on his way out, and Kareem Hunt's role is now mostly limited to short-yardage situations. Brashard Smith has shown flashes of talent, but his size limits his ability to handle a heavy workload.
Enter Nicholas Singleton from Penn State. This polarizing prospect brings physicality and could be a solid fit if the Chiefs opt for a free-agent route. Singleton would add speed and explosiveness to a team in need of more dynamic playmakers.
Singleton has proven to be a red-zone asset at Penn State, finding the end zone 54 times over four years. Although his production dipped last season as he shared duties with Kaytron Allen, Singleton maintained an impressive 5.6 yards per carry and caught 102 passes throughout his college career.
His boom-or-bust running style is what makes Singleton intriguing. While he's delivered some spectacular long runs and big plays, he occasionally misses cutback lanes and leaves potential yardage on the field.
This unpredictability is why he's projected as a late-round pick, making him an ideal gamble for the Chiefs. At 6 feet and 220 pounds, Singleton offers the size Kansas City currently lacks. Many teams have unearthed hidden gems with picks like this.
If Singleton doesn't meet expectations, moving on would be straightforward. The fifth round is often ripe for finding third-day running back talent, and taking a chance on Singleton could be the kind of savvy move GM Brett Veach is known for.