The local prospect has visited Kansas City during the lead-up to the NFL Draft.
There are several ways the Kansas City Chiefs can improve their offense through the 2024 NFL Draft. One of the more underrated methods might be revamping the running back position around starter Isiah Pacheco. While the team re-signed Clyde Edwards-Helaire, there is room for another back to put their stamp on the offense.
According to KPRC-TV’s Aaron Wilson, the Chiefs have spent some time with Missouri running back Cody Schrader, who is a late-round option.
Missouri @MizzouFootball running back Cody Schrader, an inspirational walk-on and team captain as @BurlsworthTrust winner who transferred from Division II Truman State and excelled in @SEC visited #Lions #Raiders #Chiefs All-American and All-SEC pick rushed for single-season…
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) April 19, 2024
While it was unclear exactly what kind of visit to which Wilson was referring — teams are allowed an unlimited number of virtual prospect visits — Schrader did attend Kansas City’s local pro day. But whether or not Schrader had a separate private visit with the Chiefs, he should be on their radar.
Here’s what to know about him:
Background
Originally from St. Louis, Schrader earned all-conference honors in all four years as a running back and linebacker in Missouri Class 4A football at Lutheran South High School.
But Schrader did not earn notice on recruiting platforms and received no offers to play college football. That put a chip on his shoulder — one that remained there through his four years at Missouri’s Truman State University. In Kirksville, he became known for refusing to watch big-time college football because he didn’t get the chance to play it.
That motivation drove him to a 2021 season in which he rushed for over 2,000 yards — and finally drew the attention of a big school. Missouri invited him to walk on and use his two remaining years of eligibility with the Tigers.
After being the team’s rushing leader during his first season in Columbia, the 24-year-old earned a captainship — and became a first-team All-American in 2023. He led the SEC in rushing and set Missouri’s single-season rushing record at 1,627 yards.
Cody Schrader is a RB prospect in the 2024 draft class. He scored a 3.17 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 1211 out of 1771 RB from 1987 to 2024.
Pro day still pending.https://t.co/BDbBjKrh4X pic.twitter.com/KG5xda7trj
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 12, 2024
Schrader started his pre-draft process by participating in the Senior Bowl. At the NFL Scouting Combine, he checked in at 5 feet 8 and 202 pounds. His compact frame was epitomized with a wingspan measured under 66 inches; historically, that’s a zero-percentile mark for running back.
Schrader didn’t do himself any favors in the athletic testing, either. He ran a 4.61-second 40-yard dash and recorded the fourth-lowest mark at vertical leap (33 inches) at his position.
Film evaluation
In 2023, the Missouri offense was a well-oiled machine, taking advantage of a talented skill-position group and a tone-setting offensive line. It was an ideal setup for any running back, but Schrader maximized his heavy workload in a scheme based on zone runs.
THREAD: #Chiefs held a pre-draft visit with Mizzou RB Cody Schrader (per @AaronWilson_NFL )
The former Truman State Bulldog has legit one-cut burst, and he reads the flow of defenses well to set it up pic.twitter.com/h8d7cwOeOY
— Ron Kopp Jr. (@Ron_Kopp) April 22, 2024
Schrader’s skills start with how seamlessly he reads blocks and the flow of an opposing defense — which comes from his substantial playing experience. Those instincts allow him to confidently anticipate running lanes, which is a very important trait for running backs in a zone scheme.
But that only matters if it is paired with a one-step burst that is quick enough to get through those lanes — and Schrader has that, too. He shows no hiccups while planting his foot into the ground and accelerating in an adjacent direction.
That burst of speed may only last five yards or so — but his manipulation of linebackers in his initial steps after the handoff helps him widen the seam he’s hitting.
Schrader is compact at 5’8″ & 202 lb, but it gives him typewriter feet that can efficiently change direction to navigate crowded run lanes pic.twitter.com/ji4S8aoWwO
— Ron Kopp Jr. (@Ron_Kopp) April 22, 2024
Of course, the explosive step can’t be utilized properly without quick, efficient steps leading up to (and following) that burst. Schrader has typewriter-like feet that give him subtle movement skills as he navigates a crowded box. His short strides prevent any lag time when he cuts in reaction to an oncoming defender.
You love to see the ease in executing a lateral jump cut behind the L.O.S. — but it’s also how much ground he covers in one horizontal step pic.twitter.com/rJRVzGQmor
— Ron Kopp Jr. (@Ron_Kopp) April 22, 2024
A running back’s downhill burst doesn’t always translate to lateral jump cuts — but for Schrader, it does. With similar suddenness, Schrader can stop accelerating forward, explode laterally and then continue upfield.
Schrader wasn’t a big part of the Tigers’ pass game. He showed some strong hands catches on tape, but this is where the historically-short arms could restrict him as a receiving weapon
The arm length of 28 1/8″ is in the 1st percentile per MockDraftables pic.twitter.com/MTz5hsTHhK
— Ron Kopp Jr. (@Ron_Kopp) April 22, 2024
While Schrader was an outstanding runner for the Tigers, he was only solid as a pass-catcher. Those opportunities didn’t come consistently — and the chances he did get were typically easy throws to the flat.
In the last play of this clip, we see Schrader running a wheel route down the sideline. He stretches to corral it over his shoulder, but can’t bring it in. So on passing downs, his ceiling as a playmaker may be impacted by his short arms.
In pass pro, Schrader showed good awareness & willingness to square up
But the short frame can also impact him here. It leaves him very little margin for error on the approach angle for blocking, so it’s harder to stay in front of guys pic.twitter.com/jwahJbg9pF
— Ron Kopp Jr. (@Ron_Kopp) April 22, 2024
But when staying in to block on a passing play, Schrader shows off the same high-level awareness that helps him navigate the box. He stays active and keeps himself square to the line of scrimmage.
We do, however, see some whiffs in this clip. These also raise questions about his arm length, which gives him a small blocking radius. He has very little margin for error in the angle he takes to a block; defenders can slip by more easily than they could against a bigger player.
How he fits with the Chiefs
For Kansas City to acquire Schrader, the team might have to draft him — but it’s also possible he could be available as an undrafted free agent. He is listed 219th on Arrowhead Pride’s consensus draft prospect ranking — and there will be 257 selections in the 2024 draft.
Just the same, Schrader’s underdog story could continue in Kansas City. He is a strong fit for the team’s running scheme. While Pacheco has improved, his choppy, linear style is better suited for gap-scheme runs. When needed, the team has made that adjustment — but it sacrifices play-calling flexibility; zone action is the foundation for the Chiefs’ run-pass option playbook.
Schrader would immediately give the offense a reliable early-down back. For passing downs, he would need to prove worthy of staying on the field. That’s where his physical limitations can be exposed most easily — and it may not be something that he can improve upon.
So just add that to the list of ways Schrader has been doubted during his football journey. He could use another opportunity to prove people wrong.