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The Kansas City Chiefs made major investments in their ground game in recent months and are primed to present a more dynamic offensive attack next season.
Among the team's most important moves in free agency was the acquisition of Super Bowl LX MVP Kenneth Walker III, who is expected to become the centerpiece of Kansas City's new-look backfield in 2026.
Take a look at this brief profile of Walker and every other running back who is currently on the Chiefs' roster before training camp kicks off in St. Joseph, Missouri, later this month:
RB Kenneth Walker III
Walker should have no problem revolutionizing Kansas City's rushing attack after joining the Chiefs as a free agent earlier this year. A salty veteran at just 25 years old, Walker is one of the most exciting running backs in the NFL today, and should be expected to get plenty of carries early in the season as head coach Andy Reid looks to lighten the load on star quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
2026 cap number: $5,683,333
RB Brashard Smith
Kansas City selected Smith in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft and gave him a fair amount of playing time during his rookie season. A former collegiate wide receiver, Smith should continue his development as a dynamic Swiss Army knife with upside as a pass-catcher in the screen game.
2026 cap number: $1,038,369
RB Emmett Johnson
Few fifth-round picks have been as hyped as Johnson — a former Nebraska Cornhusker who earned first-team All-American honors for his outstanding 2025 campaign in Lincoln. Though he will undoubtedly play second fiddle to Kenneth Walker III as a rookie, Johnson should get plenty of chances to show fans why he was one of the Chiefs' best selections in the 2026 NFL Draft.
2026 cap number: $1,006,409
RB E.J. Smith
A relative unknown for Kansas City, Smith will face serious headwinds in his effort to earn a spot on Kansas City's 53-man roster out of training camp. But nothing is impossible, and with outstanding performances in the preseason, Smith may be able to make a case to compete for third-string snaps behind Kenneth Walker III and Emmett Johnson.
2026 cap number: $885,000
RB Emari Demercado
This former Arizona Cardinal has enviable physical traits and impressive athletic ability, but struggled to find a niche during his first seasons in the NFL. If he manages to earn a spot on Kansas City's 53-man roster, Demercado would likely be relegated to a tertiary or quarternary role in the Chiefs' offense.'
2026 cap number: $1,238,235
RB Jaydn Ott
Ott signed with Kansas City as an undrafted free agent earlier this year and is a long shot to crack the Chiefs' final roster as a rookie. However, his utility as a developmental rusher shouldn't be overlooked, and fans shouldn't be surprised if he ultimately lands on Kansas City's practice squad with a chance to earn elevation for a few regular-season contests.
2026 cap number: $885,000
This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: Preview every RB on the KC Chiefs' 90-man roster before training camp
