Kansas City Chiefs Ranked Favorably Among Cost-Efficient 2023 RB Rooms

Heading into the 2022-23 NFL season, the Kansas City Chiefs' running back room was set to be centered around a former first-round pick and allow him to be complemented by a duo of a journeyman and a seventh-round pick. Now, the group is headlined by last year's standout rookie and the veteran with the first-round pick slated to serve as depth.

Once Isiah Pacheco got an opportunity to showcase what he could do in year one on the job, he never looked back. Alongside him, Jerick McKinnon continued to be a steady presence and give the team something it desperately needed: stability. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, as has been the case far too often during his career thus far, struggled to stay healthy and effective at the same time. Nonetheless, Kansas City's one-two punch was one of the league's most intriguing down the stretch of last season.

As the 2023-24 campaign approaches, the Chiefs' running back depth chart will likely consist of the same three players on the list. Undrafted free agent Deneric Prince is a candidate to potentially compete for a roster spot, which would add even more insulation to Andy Reid's group. Even with Edwards-Helaire's status as a former first-rounder, general manager Brett Veach isn't investing a ton into this position. Bleacher Report is taking note of that, and the outlet's list of the NFL's most cost-efficient backfields has the Chiefs' unit taking home the No. 2 spot. Here's some of what Kristopher Knox wrote on Kansas City's running backs:

Pacheco's emergence—and the periodic success of late-round and undrafted running backs—is precisely why some teams avoid paying or using high draft choices on the position.

Kansas City, however, used a first-round pick in the 2020 draft on Clyde Edwards-Helaire. While Helaire hasn't lived up to his draft status, he still has 29 starts on his resume, is a quality dual-threat back (72 receptions in 33 games) and is a quality depth piece behind Pacheco.

The Chiefs also have an explosive receiving back in Jerick McKinnon, who caught 56 passes, tallied 803 scrimmage yards and had 10 combined touchdowns last season.

These were the top three backs in a unit that just helped the Chiefs win the Super Bowl, further proving that a pricey ball-carrier isn't required to compete—though, of course, not every offense has a quarterback like Patrick Mahomes and an offensive guru like Andy Reid running the show.

Rounding out the group will likely be undrafted rookie Deneric Prince. The 6'0", 216-pound Tulsa produce averaged 5.8 yards per carry last season and has impressed in the early offseason.

Trailing only the Seattle Seahawks and the Atlanta Falcons in B/R's top 10 list, the Chiefs' running back unit should produce at a solid level this coming season despite not having a ton of money wrapped up in it. Edwards-Helaire's 2023 cap hit of $3.44 million paces the group by quite a bit, with McKinnon checking in at second with $1.09M. Pacheco ($889,777) and Prince ($756,666) each carry respective cap hits of less than $1M.

In Pacheco, Kansas City has an ascending halfback with youth, athleticism and untapped potential in multiple areas of his profile. McKinnon is a quality pass protector and receiving option, with Edwards-Helaire being a wild card of sorts as a dual-threat piece if he can remain healthy and return to form. Prince has made waves as a possible special teams chip throughout organized team activities (OTAs), but he also averaged 5.5 yards per carry and had 14 rushing touchdowns in college. There's a good balance of high-floor production and solid depth in this unit at such a low combined cost, which factored into B/R's high ranking for the Chiefs as the offseason continues.

Read More: Frank Clark Discusses Why He Left Chiefs