The Athletic's Jesse Newell is the latest Chiefs insider to suggest Kenneth Walker is headed for a huge role this season. Newell writes that Walker has gotten the ball "all the time" in camp, especially in the screen game.
What They're Saying
Newell: "Coach Andy Reid opened up his screen-game playbook this summer, and Walker has been the primary target, showing strong receiving skills while even flashing occasional one-handed catches. Then in the red zone? Walker has been the main guy again ... Though the Chiefs often have alternated backs by series in past seasons, that doesn’t appear to be the plan in 2026. Walker should be the workhorse, and he’s primed for a huge year statistically if his body holds up."
2026 Fantasy Football Impact: Top-Six Upside In Play
Injury seems like the only thing that can keep Walker from a big 2026.
Prior to Newell's Walker hype, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler suggested that the Chiefs are building their offense around their new RB. Not only did Kansas City pay Walker like a feature back, giving him a three-year, $43 million deal. But they also have a franchise QB coming off a torn ACL. It makes sense that they'd want to lighten Mahomes' load a bit, especially early in the season.
A healthy Walker is a shoo-in for RB1 production this season with upside into the top six. He's a nice target at his mid-second-round ADP.
