The Kansas City Chiefs entered 2024 confident in their running back room before Isiah Pacheco suffered an injury. The current roster features several running backs with notable question marks, including free agent signee Elijah Mitchell. The Chiefs should consider adding more talent through the 2025 NFL draft.
Michigan Wolverinesrunning back Kalel Mullings began his career as a linebacker before shifting to his current position. He enters the NFL with only 235 carries in college, meaning there’s plenty of tread left on his tires. Mullings’ ball security ranks among the best in the class despite only becoming a full-time running back in 2023. He never fumbled in college.
Mullings is a powerful 6'1 1/2", 226 lb. running back with ideal patience behind the offensive line. He presses close to the backs of his linemen while the lane develops but knows not to linger in the backfield. Mullings gets downhill quickly to limit negative plays. Despite his size, he shows no signs of lethargic or heavy footwork.
Few players are boosting their NFL draft stock today like Michigan’s Kalel Mullings. Violent runner with wicked contact balance. Never seems to stop churning his legs. pic.twitter.com/VLBXiUQcRD
— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) September 21, 2024
Mullings lacks the speed to constantly threaten defenses with long, explosive runs, but he’s fast enough to generate chunk plays. His vision makes the most of big plays by guiding him to space and keeping defenders at bay for as long as possible.
Mullings’ contact balance helps him drag defensive backs and some linebackers for yards after contact. He finishes runs falling forward and breaks through arm tackles. Defenders who try to tackle him high meet a powerful stiff arm or gradually fall off the tackle attempt. Mullings offers value as a goal line and short-yardage running back capable of maintaining his footing in a crowd and moving the pile.
Mullings is a limited athlete. He lacks the elusiveness and twitch to create big plays in space and doesn’t challenge defenders’ pursuit angles. Hip stiffness limits Mullings’ lateral explosiveness on jump cuts. He offers very little in the passing game. His technique in pass protection is poor, and he has no experience as a high-volume pass catcher.
Mullings won’t see significant offensive snaps early in his career but should make key contributions to several special teams units.
This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: 2025 NFL draft scouting report: Michigan Wolverines RB Kalel Mullings