We all know the Kansas City Chiefs don't value the running back position like many other teams. While most mock drafts want to hand them Jeremiyah Love, it feels just as likely that they will wait until the later rounds of day three to address running back. While this might draw the anger of Chiefs fans, the reality is that K.C. has done a lot with minimal investment at the running back spot and has lots of other key needs.
With the running back room essentially being a total unknown, there's not really room to be too picky about skill sets. The Chiefs need talent for an early-down back and a passing-down back as well. Yes, Brashard Smith is likely to factor into 2026, but he cannot be counted on or relied upon as anything more than a change-of-pace back for now.
It feels very likely the Chiefs will make some kind of running back signing in free agency simply because of how empty the room is. We'll know in due time, but even if it's a bigger name added in free agency, Nick Singleton makes a lot of sense in the draft.
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Nick Singleton | RB | 6-0 224 LBS
— Price Carter (@priceacarter) February 11, 2026
Explosive big-play RB with elite burst, speed, and power as a downhill runner, ideal for gap schemes. 19th on the Freaks list. Solid pass catcher and blocker. Lacks zone instincts and struggles to create.
Shades of: Sean Tucker pic.twitter.com/U3mAe7J5aq
NFL Draft Profile: Nicholas Singleton, Running Back, Penn State
Age: 22 (on draft day)
Height: 6-00 (listed)
Weight: 224 (listed)
Tape Exposure: Boise State (2024), Oregon (2025), West Virginia (2024)
Shades of: Sean Tucker
Looking at Nick Singleton's background
An elite high school prospect, Singleton attended Governor Mifflin High School in his hometown of Shillington, Pennsylvania, where he was a multi-sport athlete, including a well-decorated track career. He was named the 2022 Gatorade Player of the Year for his senior year, which included over 2,000 rushing yards and 42 touchdowns. Singleton was a 5-star recruit, the top running back prospect in the 2023 class, and committed to Penn State.
Singleton played four full seasons for the Nittany Lions, where he came close to breaking Saquon Barkley's career numbers for rushing yards, and he successfully broke his record for rushing touchdowns. Singleton ended his college career with 4,448 scrimmage yards and 54 touchdowns.
Nick Singleton's strengths
Exposlive Athlete
Singleton was ranked 19th on Bruce Feldman's "Freaks List" for his crazy testing numbers, compared to Barkley, who ran a 4.33-second time in the 40-yard dash and lifted 405 pounds in both the bench press and power clean. Singleton is right there or better, running a 4.35, benching 435, squatting more, improving his explosiveness, and posting top-end speed numbers that rival Barkley’s, including being clocked at 23.5 mph on GPS tracking. He's a dynamic athlete who has high-level traits.
Passing Profile
With over 100 college career catches and nearly 1,000 receiving yards, his profile says he's more than an early-down back. His 1.57 yards per route run ranks in the 84th percentile of all FBS backs. He also has solid pass protection skills and was asked to block often on passing downs.
Downhill Running
Singleton is at his best in gap running styles where he can hit the hole with violence and speed. He was a strong short-yardage back as well, using his strong lower half to his advantage. He converts his speed to power well at the line of scrimmage.
Nick Singleton's weaknesses
Vision
After a strong junior year, including some big runs in the College Football Playoff, many thought Singleton was on his way to being a top-100 pick. However, in 2025, he regressed partly due to vision issues as a runner. He struggles to find rush lanes, particularly in zone concepts. He also struggles to create if initial rush lanes are clogged.
Foring Missed Tackles
Despite his elite athletic profile, Singleton does not force many missed tackles. His 0.17 missed tackles forced per rush ranks in the 20th percentile of FBS backs. His long speed is explosive, but his lateral, side-to-side cuts aren't overly dynamic.
2025 Production
Singleton and his running mate Kaytron Allen have always been a tandem, and Singleton was always the "TreVeyon Henderson to Allen's Quinshon Judkins." However, this year he took a pretty big step back in production. It was his worst statistical season despite having a similar workload. There are some questions to be answered about his 2025 season.
What's the best role for Nick Singleton in Kansas City?
What the Chiefs should like about Singleton is that he can really fit into any mold. If they want to go big in free agency at running back, Singleton can be a change-of-pace back and be a home-run threat. If the Chiefs just add a floor-raising free agent, Singleton can mix into a timeshare (think Kyle Monangai and D'Andre Swift). The athletic profile and recruiting pedigree are worth betting on long term for a position that frequently has contributors drafted on day three.
Nick Singleton is an explosive big-play RB with elite burst, speed, and power as a downhill runner, ideal for gap schemes. He's a solid pass catcher and blocker. He lacks zone instincts and struggles to create outside of structure.
Round Grade: Grey Chip (Day 3 prospect)