The Kansas City Chiefs, reigning Super Bowl champions, might have their sights set on Oregon running back Jordan James in the later rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft. With a need to bolster their running back depth following Samaje Perine’s departure to the Cincinnati Bengals and Elijah Mitchell’s roster spot hanging in the balance, James emerges as a sensible, albeit unflashy, option in this year’s rookie class.
Player Profile: Strength Over Flash
At the NFL Scouting Combine in March 2025, James didn’t turn heads with his 40-yard dash or athletic testing numbers. His frame, slightly undersized for an NFL running back, also raised some eyebrows. Yet, stats only tell part of the story. On the field at Oregon, James proved his worth, surpassing 1,000 rushing yards in his final season with a bruising, physical style. He’s not the type to outrun or juke defenders; instead, he plows through them, leveraging a sturdy build and exceptional contact balance to punish tacklers.
Where James truly shines is with his hands out of the backfield. In Oregon’s outside zone-heavy scheme, he showcased sharp vision, quick jump cuts, and an ability to find space at the second level. Once he builds momentum, he transforms into a bowling ball, knocking defenders aside with ease. His pass-catching ability further amplifies his threat—lowering his pads to deliver devastating hits after the catch, leaving secondary players reeling.
What the Chiefs Need and What James Brings
Under head coach Andy Reid and GM Brett Veach, the Chiefs have consistently prioritized versatile running backs who can both power through tackles and contribute in the passing game. Last season’s backfield—featuring Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt, Samaje Perine, and Carson Steele—embodied this philosophy. With Hunt, Pacheco, and Steele (likely as a fullback) returning, the Chiefs need a piece to replace Perine and inject fresh legs into the offense.
James seems tailor-made for this role. His ability to catch passes and bully second-level defenders aligns seamlessly with Patrick Mahomes’ creative playstyle. However, there’s a catch: pass protection. At Oregon, James rarely faced this responsibility, and it’s a critical skill he’ll need to master to thrive in the NFL. If he can’t reliably protect Mahomes, his value as a pass-catching back could take a hit.
Draft Prediction: Where Will the Chiefs Pick James?
Given his profile, James isn’t a candidate for the early rounds. His lack of elite speed and untested pass protection skills keep him out of the top-tier running back conversation. But Brett Veach has a knack for uncovering gems in the later rounds, and James could be a target in the fifth or sixth round—an area where the Chiefs often find system fits who fly under the radar.
Considering the team’s current needs and drafting tendencies, James has a solid chance of landing in Kansas City, especially if he shows progress in pass protection during pre-draft workouts. That said, the competition is stiff. Elijah Mitchell, a recent Chiefs signing, remains a wildcard despite his uncertain roster status. Other teams could also swoop in if James impresses in final evaluations.
The Bottom Line
Jordan James won’t light up the NFL as an instant superstar, but he possesses traits the Chiefs covet: toughness, versatility, and untapped potential in the passing game. With proper coaching to shore up his pass protection, he could become a valuable cog in Andy Reid’s offensive machine. For a franchise adept at maximizing talent, seeing James don the red and gold in April 2025 isn’t a far-fetched scenario.
