Jason Burgos
On Tuesday, the Kansas City Chiefs made one of the first big splashes in NFL free agency when they signed Kenneth Walker III. However, one notable NFL expert believes the team overpaid for a player who was “just a guy” on the Seattle Seahawks during his career.
During the early years of their dynasty, the Chiefs’ offense led the way. However, over the last few years, their dangerous offense has needed to be carried to Super Bowls by the defense. That is why getting the unit back to its once elite form is a priority this offseason.
The franchise quickly moved to land the best running back on the free agent market this year, Kenneth Walker III, and improve a position that has been a weakness for the last three years. It was a surprisingly bold move by the Chiefs that saw them give the four-year veteran a deal that pays him over $14 million annually.
Kenneth Walker III stats (2025): 221 carries, 1,027 yards, 5 touchdowns, 4.6 yards per carry
Another 1,000-plus rushing season and being the Super Bowl MVP helped boost Walker’s value this offseason. However, CBS Sports NFL insider Pete Prisco isn’t a fan of the deal.
In a new segment looking at the move, Prisco admitted, “There is no question” that Walker III is an upgrade at RB for the Chiefs. However, he believes a player who is just as good could have been had in the NFL Draft. And he pointed out that they landed Isiah Pacheco, a rock-solid impact player, in Round 7 of the 2022 draft.
Prisco noted that some believe this year’s RB draft class is considered weak by draft experts, and that may have played a role in why they targeted Walker III. However, he still feels the Chiefs would have had a solid chance of getting generational running back prospect Jeremiyah Love when they pick at nine in next month’s event.
“I’m not paying a running back that kind of money,” Prisco said. “Particularly a guy who was, for most of last year, just a guy. And for most of his career has had injury problems and been just a guy.”
