Kenneth Walker is one of the most explosive backs in the league, and now he has the chance to unleash his full potential with the Kansas City Chiefs. At least, Andy Reid has promised protection, which should maximize his talent on the field.
“He’s a good football player, and it won’t change. He’s not gonna change coming to us,” Reid said to Judy Battista on Saturday from the Annual League Meeting. “He’s still going to be a good football player. As long as he stays healthy and moves forward, good things can happen for you.
“We know that the run game’s important and we’ve got good offensive linemen in front of him, so that will be a plus for him. It should be a plus for our football team.”
A powerhouse backfield in Chiefs Kingdom
For the 2026 season, Andy Reid has completely overhauled the Chiefs’ backfield to provide a more explosive, multi-dimensional attack. While Kenneth Walker III leads the group as the clear RB1, the supporting cast offers a diverse set of skills.
Brashard Smith #24 of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Brashard Smith, entering his second year, provides elite speed (4.39-second 40-yard dash) and versatility as a hybrid runner-receiver. He is joined by Emari Demercado, a physical free-agent addition from the Cardinals known for his efficient 7.1 yards per carry last season and reliability in pass protection.
Rounding out the room is ShunDerrick Powell, an intriguing reserve/future signing who was a prolific FCS All-American with over 4,000 career scrimmage yards in college. This collective depth ensures that Reid can maintain his creative offensive schemes even as Patrick Mahomes works his way back to full strength.
A decimated secondary for the Chiefs
While the Kansas City Chiefs have bolstered their roster not only with Kenneth Walker and Justin Fields, and even by retaining Travis Kelce, several players have left Chiefs Kingdom. Names like McDuffie and Watson, for instance, will be tough to replace.
“I’ve been in positions as a head coach where we’ve replenished the secondary,” Reid said. “At Green Bay, we replenished in the secondary. I’ve been through that and seen it be productive. Do you want to lose a (Trent) McDuffie? No, but that’s today’s football. That’s how this thing works today.
CB Trent McDuffie has been traded to the Los Angeles Rams
“So, you’ve got to stay flexible, and then you’ve got to put yourself in a position where you can replenish that. We drafted a good kid (Nohl Williams) last year, so I know we’ll continue to work through that this year. I’m really not worried about it. I look forward to seeing who these people are that come in.”
Looking to bolster the roster in the next Draft
Following the mass exodus of their secondary and the need to protect a rehabbing Patrick Mahomes, the Kansas City Chiefs’ primary draft priority is reinforcing the cornerback and offensive tackle positions. Holding the No. 9 overall pick—their first top-ten selection since 2017—the Chiefs are widely expected to target an elite defender like LSU’s Mansoor Delane or a cornerstone tackle like Miami’s Francis Mauigoa to immediately stabilize their roster.
