The Kansas City Chiefs must add running back depth in the 2025 NFL draft. Three running backs on their roster hit free agency after the season, and the recent injury to Isiah Pacheco revealed how heavily the team relies on him. Fortunately, there are plenty of running back prospects in the upcoming class.
California Golden Bears rusher Jadyn Ott is an explosive one-cut running back with the acceleration to blow past the defense’s second level. Linebackers can’t match his burst and struggle to maintain their pursuit angles. Safeties who take steep downhill paths to the football find themselves trailing Ott.
Ott patiently surveys gaps behind the line of scrimmage until he spots an opening and darts through it. The junior processes run lanes quickly, using his fast footwork and excellent lower body control to maneuver through traffic. Once he spots an opening, he makes a sharp cut and slams on the accelerator.
#Cal RB Jaydn Ott (5-11, 205)
High knee, long strider. Explosive. Routinely finishes long runs with TDs. pic.twitter.com/aJBC67pJxV
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) June 11, 2024
Ott offers value as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. He showcases impressive urgency with his routes to give the quarterback an open target early in the play. Linebackers struggle to stick with Ott’s speed on routes. He’s a natural hands catcher who hasn’t dropped a pass since 2022.
The Chiefs could select Ott on the draft’s third day. Ott is an intriguing prospect, but he lacks the size of an every-down back and projects best as a rotational player. He offers a nice change of pace compared to Pacheco and Carson Steele.
The Golden Bears face North Carolina State on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 2:30 p.m. CST. Both programs lost their last two games by one-score differences.