The Kansas City Chiefs' running back room isn't just a piece away, even if that piece is Jeremiyah Love, Kenneth Walker, or Travis Etienne. A dynamic lead back would certainly make a big difference, but the Chiefs also need depth, and depending on what their investment is, they might wait to do that until Day 3.
It's worth mentioning, too, that just taking a Day 2 running back for the sake of doing so isn't a good process. This running back class is pretty lackluster as a whole. Right now, we view Jeremiyah Love as the only Day 1 prospect and Emmett Johnson, Jonah Coleman, and Kaytron Allen as the only Day 2 prospects.
So reaching for a player just to say "we took a Day 2 running back" might result in a lesser player, especially when the class is as limited as this one is.
To keep close tabs on the 2026 NFL Draft and the top prospects for the Kansas City Chiefs, make sure to bookmark our Arrowhead Addict Big Board. Our custom big board is tailored toward the Chiefs’ needs and thresholds.
Roman Hemby | RB | 6-0 207 LBS
— Price Carter (@priceacarter) March 6, 2026
Physical downhill runner with one-cut ability and strong balance through contact. Solid vision. Limited elusiveness, average burst, upright style, and inconsistent pass protection & receiving upside.
Shades of: Brian Robinson pic.twitter.com/3bEqAClQWG
NFL Draft Profile: Roman Hemby, Running Back, Indiana
Age: 22 (on draft day)
Height: 6-00
Weight: 207 LBS
Hand: 9 1/2 inches
Arms: 31 inches
Tape Exposure: Iowa (2025), Oregon (2025), Miami (2025)
Shades of: Isiah Pacheco with vision
Roman Hemby's background
Hemby grew up in Edgewood, Maryland, and attended The John Carroll School, where he ran track (100m and 200m dash) and was ranked as a 3-star recruit. He committed to Maryland out of high school, where he redshirted his freshman year. Hemby completed three seasons at Maryland before transferring to Indiana to finish his senior year and was the lead back for the national champions. He finished his college career with 3,467 rushing yards, 29 rushing touchdowns, 1,086 receiving yards, and 5 receiving touchdowns.
Roman Hemby's strengths
One Cut Runner
Hemby does a nice job of getting north and south quickly and wastes no time trying to bounce runs that don't need it. When he plants his leg and gets upfield, he takes the best path and usually delivers a blow when he gets there.
Power and Center of Gravity
A densely built runner with a low center of gravity, he frequently breaks tackles and always seems to fall forward for the extra yard or two. Solid lower-half strength helps him as a short-yardage weapon. He always keeps his feet chopping.
Reliability
Has 2 career fumbles in 710 carries and 3 career drops on 147 targets. Hemby is the definition of dependable around the ball and with the ball in his hands. He is also reliable with his vision—he's going to find the hole and hit it with acceleration.
Roman Hemby's weaknesses
Long Speed
Not a home-run hitter as a runner, with only 26 carries of 10+ yards in 2025 behind a very good offensive line. He can be caught from behind.
Lateral Agility
Hemby is going to run to the end zone as directly as possible and try to run through you if you get in the way. He's not overly shifty or dynamic laterally and doesn't access cutback lanes or create well out of structure.
3rd Down Ability
Average at best in pass protection. He actually does a nice job in some reps against Oregon but then had some key errors against Iowa that led to sacks on Mendoza. Though he's a fairly accomplished pass catcher, he is much more of a swing-pass and checkdown pass catcher than a route runner at this point.
How does Roman Hemby fit in the Chiefs' backfield?
Per Next Gen Stats, the Chiefs faced the highest amount of light boxes (six or fewer defenders) in the NFL in 2025. That includes the time after Patrick Mahomes was injured and the passing game wasn't the same level of threat. The Chiefs need a back who can hit home runs and another back who can hit doubles and singles, forcing teams to put more defenders in the box and making the passing game easier. Roman Hemby is a great doubles hitter. He is similar to what the Chiefs used to have in Darrel Williams. The minute Williams is your lead back, you wish you had better, but he's a great RB2.
Roman Hemby is a hard-charging back who relies on decisiveness, physicality, and one-cut ability to keep runs moving downhill. He finishes through contact, protects the ball well, and adds value as a reliable pass catcher and willing pass protector. However, his limited burst and tight hips reduce his big-play potential, projecting him as a Day 3 pick and potential three-down backup with short-yardage value.
Round Grade: Grey Chip (Day 3 prospect)