Chiefs trade up in draft again, select RB Kareem Hunt in third round

The Kansas City Chiefs trade up again! They moved up in the third round to select Toledo RB Kareem Hunt. This certainly fills a need as we all had running back on our list after the loss of Jamaal Charles this offseason. The Chiefs swapped picks with the Vikings and gave up day three picks to make this pick at No. 86.

Here he is talking to the Chiefs:

NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah said he is going to be an outstanding pro, which we all hope is true. He’s not going to be Jamaal Charles but he doesn’t have to be. With a new quarterback and running back, the Chiefs offense is going to be looking different the next couple of years.

Check out what they’re saying at our Vikings blog, Daily Norseman.

SB Nation’s MAC blog Hustle Belt called him the steal of the draft.

Hunt is the steal of this draft. Selecting running backs in the first round, especially with high picks, can be risky and has worked before. But third round running backs have exceeded expectations in recent years. David Johnson, DeMarco Murray, and Tevin Coleman are just some of the names from the third round that have succeeded on NFL gridirons. This is the round Hunt will probably land in, given his breakout performance in the Senior Bowl and his sought-after abilities to shed tacklers and fight for extra yards, all while holding on to the pigskin.

Any team that needs depth in the backfield should consider selecting Hunt, a Toledo legend and bowl game record holder. He will likely be the highest senior running back drafted in the class, armed with plenty of collegiate experience and readiness for the physical game that is the NFL. Stay alert for Hunt’s name to be called when the NFL Draft moves to the 80th pick.

Here’s what his NFL dot com draft profile says:

Big back with plus vision and enough elusiveness to make the first defender miss. Feel for the rushing lane helps him choose the correct path between the tackles but lacks the burst to turn the 4-yard run into 14. Zone-scheme runner with serviceable hands out of the backfield. Adequate in most areas and has talent to become a backup that can step in and handle a bigger load if needed.

Chiefs 2017 draft picks

1 (10) QB Patrick Mahomes

2 (59) DE Tanoh Kpassagnon

3 (86) RB Kareem Hunt

5 (170)

5 (180)

6 (216)

6 (218)

*Chiefs gave up a fourth and a seventh in the Hunt trade

NFL Draft weekend schedule

NFL Network and ESPN/ESPN2 will televise the draft.

Friday, April 28

6 p.m. CT (Round 2 – 7 Minutes, Round 3 – 5 Minutes Per Pick)

Saturday, April 29

11 a.m. CT (Rounds 4-6 – 5 Minutes Per Pick, Round 7 - 4 Minutes Per Pick)