Newell: Walker getting the ball ‘all the time’

Breer refers to RB Kenneth Walker as an “every-down” player, says RB Brashard Smith “has already shown he can be a weapon in space,” and notes RB Emari Demercado adds depth. Perhaps taking on a change-of-pace rushing role is in play for Johnson this season. The rookie back has pass-catching experience as well, but Smith and Demercado could offer more in that department at the moment. Johnson could be the next player up if Walker were to miss time.

Taylor reported early in June that the Chiefs were “starting to experiment” with what works best with Walker’s skills. The veteran back prefers plays from under center rather than shotgun formation. Now that the Chiefs’ training camp is underway, we can confirm that they are putting his preferences into practice. More than half of the Chiefs’ snaps in the first team period came from under center, allowing Walker to practice running between the tackles under coach Andy Reid’s watchful eye. The Chiefs also continue to give Walker reps in the screen game, which can help keep Walker involved in the passing game, regardless of his development as a receiver and pass protector this offseason. Impressed with Walker’s screen game chops thus far, Chiefs C Creed Humphrey described Walker as “a dynamic player, a freak athlete and great with his reads.” Walker is a fantasy football RB1 who could surprise some this season.

Walker has been working hard to improve his receiving skills and pass protection this offseason. As long as he refines this area of his game, he has a chance to operate as the Chiefs’ clear-cut featured running back, though the position group is full of capable receiving backs. What does not seem to be in question is that Walker will handle an immense rushing workload. Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said in May that the team hopes to establish the run early on this season. An ESPN report from June revealed that the Chiefs were beginning to tailor the run game around Walker’s strengths. Super Bowl LX’s MVP is a locked-in RB1 with enticing upside.

In a lengthy report on Walker’s acclimation to his new team, Taylor explores the ways in which Chiefs coach Andy Reid, RB coach Eric Bieniemy and OL coach Andy Heck are tinkering with different run concepts. Walker prefers running the ball when the quarterback is under center, rather than in shotgun, and the Chiefs led the league in yards per play (8.3) back in 2022, the final season of Bieniemy’s stint as their offensive coordinator. He spent 2025 as the Bears’ running backs coach and is expected to implement the “clever shifts, motions and counter-attacking runs” he learned from coach Ben Johnson. Taylor notes that Walker is diligently working on his pass protection and receiving abilities, noting that in the two practices open to reporters, Walker has caught every pass thrown by QBs Patrick Mahomes and Justin Fields. Walker’s “speed and vision” on a “sophisticated screen pass” elicited cheers from his teammates. This is a positive update on Walker’s quest to be a “feature back” in Kansas City.

Speaking to reporters after practice last week, Bieniemy said that he wants Walker to understand “that we just have to become a better player when the ball is not in our hand.” That means Walker has to do a great job protecting the quarterback and be a great route runner on the perimeter. Bieniemy complimented Walker’s abilities as a rusher and said Walker is doing a heck of a job in practice, but Walker’s ticket to an elite season likely requires passing game participation. Walker is clearly the lead back here, but a run-centric workload could keep him in the RB2 ranks this season.

Chiefs front office officials said last week that they were shocked Johnson was still available in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. KC traded up to take Johnson, 22, who had 1,823 total yards in 2025 at Nebraska. Johnson enters the NFL with a 100th percentile college dominator rating along with a 99th percentile college target share. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid recently said he was impressed with Johnson’s pass catching and compared him favorably to LeSean McCoy. With a solid offseason Johnson could function as the Chiefs’ lead back if Ken Walker misses time in 2026.

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes is currently rehabbing a season-ending knee injury, and although he has a chance to return in time for Week 1, it takes time for players to return to full strength. Enter new Chiefs RB Kenneth Walker, who Veach reminds us was the Super Bowl LX MVP. He adds that the team feels “real good” about the offensive line. Veach also indicates that the team intends to pass the ball more often as the season progresses, but if the run game is working, who’s to say they take the proverbial foot off the pedal? Walker warrants low-end RB1 treatment at this time. He is backed up by veteran RBs Brashard Smith and Emari Demercado, and fifth-round rookie RB Emmett Johnson. The depth chart order behind Walker will become clear in training camp.

Mahomes has a chance to return in time for Week 1 after suffering season-ending ACL and LCL tears last year. It sounds like the plan is to rely on the run game and the defense for the first half of the season, as Mahomes “is working back from that injury.” For those concerned that the Chiefs might stick with that game plan all year, Veach adds that he hopes by “mid-season [or] late season, Pat’s in that groove and we have this thing cooking.” We believe he’s saying that the Chiefs intend to increase their passing frequency as the season progresses and we will continue to monitor Mahomes’ offseason participation. For now, RB Kenneth Walker looks like a safe bet to handle a hefty workload this year.

Kansas City traded up to take Johnson with the 161st overall pick in the draft, adding the Nebraska product to a revamped backfield alongside free agency splash signing Ken Walker III and Emari Demercado. “He’s a juke button, he has very good feet, vision, feel, and he’s very good out of the backfield,” Nutt said of Johnson, 22, who had a 100th percentile college dominator rating at Nebraska along with a 99th percentile college target share. Arrowhead Pride’s Ron Kop, Jr. said the rookie is “projected to be the immediate backup to Walker in the lead-back role, but don’t be surprised if Johnson earns his way onto the field on pass downs or in other situations.” Johnson, who had 1,823 total yards in 2025, is a good candidate to catch major redraft stream this summer.

Per Jordan Schultz, the deal is worth up to $45 million and includes $28.7 million guaranteed. In desperate need of a talent infusion on offense, the Chiefs have opted to splurge at the cheaper position of running back rather than wideout. 25-year-old Walker has a long history of minor injuries, but an even longer track record of explosive runs. Once Zach Charbonnet’s playoff injury finally forced KWIII into unquestioned lead back status, he responded by winning Super Bowl MVP honors. Although Walker has a decent pair of hands, his Chiefs baseline will be on early downs with the potential to expand to more pass-catching situations. Ideally, he will share the backfield with someone else in the “Jerick McKinnon role.” If he doesn’t, KWIII could be an elite three-down back, just one who has a propensity to pick up nicks and bruises with his tough running style. Walker begins drafting season as a high-end RB2 you could plausibly label an RB1.