Kansas City reportedly scheduled a draft visit with a big backfield option.
Even after recently re-signing Clyde Edwards-Helaire, running back depth remains a need for the Kansas City Chiefs as next week’s NFL Draft draws nearer. They could be looking to add a very large option to the mix. Per the Indianapolis Star, the Chiefs scheduled UCLA running back Carson Steele for a draft visit.
What is a “top-30 visit?”
Although the term implies that the visits are for the most coveted draft prospects, NFL teams are allowed a total of 30 in-person visits to facilities.
The Chiefs often use these visits for prospects likely to be available on Day 3 or as undrafted free agents since they will have more control over selecting them than the draft’s top players.
Last year, Kansas City’s eventual second and fifth-round selections — SMU wide receiver Rashee Rice and Stephen F. Austin edge rusher B.J. Thompson — visited the team facilities during the pre-draft process.
Here’s what to know about Steele:
Background
An Indianapolis native, Steele committed to Ball State as a two-star recruit in 2021. After leading the MAC in rushing in his second season, Steele transferred to UCLA for 2023. He totaled 167 carries for 847 yards (and six touchdowns) to lead the Bruins in rushing while adding 17 catches for 163 yards and another two scores.
Steele has no doubts that the transfer has made him a better player, citing the influence of the Bruins’ running backs coach, eight-year NFL veteran DeShaun Foster.
“It was a really neat experience,” Steele told me at the East-West Shrine Bowl of changing schools. “Especially moving out from Indiana to LA. Being able to get out there and be under Coach Foster [and] learning the different types of techniques, that kind of really helped me push my game even farther. That’s kind of helped me get here today.”
Carson Steele is a RB prospect in the 2024 draft class. He scored a 7.36 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 477 out of 1804 RB from 1987 to 2024.https://t.co/SPrXSZa9v8 pic.twitter.com/qnJuTtrMkW
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 26, 2024
Though not invited to the combine, his numbers from UCLA’s Pro Day paint a picture of what to expect from him in the NFL. At 6 feet tall and weighing 228 pounds, he almost seems a throwback to a prototypical running back prospect of the 1990s.
His 4.77-second 40-yard dash should surprise no one at his size, though his 1.6-second 10-yard split in the run is much more respectable. The short speed is a much better indication of what to expect should he make an NFL roster.
Film review
The #Chiefs are set to host UCLA RB Carson Steele on a draft visit. Interest in the six-foot and 228 lb. running back hopefully is a way of addressing the Chiefs’ short-yardage woes. Steele doesn’t have the highest ceiling, but he can get a needed yard to move the chains pic.twitter.com/ZKcxrQCxdP
— Jared Sapp (@TrumanChief) April 15, 2024
There’s not much mystery about Steele’s role in the NFL: he is a large back, almost custom-made for short-yardage situations. In generations past, his size would have been coveted when searching for a starting tailback.
Steele’s running style may now appear anachronistic, but fortunately, he brings more to the table than the cliched “three yards and a cloud of dust.”
Steele’s size and 4.77 40 time probably means some kind of hybrid fullback role if he makes it in the league. I like what he offers in the passing game as a smart checkdown option to extend the play. The extra few yards after contact are nice too. pic.twitter.com/ctlXhb1kd6
— Jared Sapp (@TrumanChief) April 15, 2024
For a big man, Steele has reliable hands in the passing game and can be an intelligent check-down option, though likely in a fullback role as a pro. Against a ranked Utah team in 2023, Steele helps his quarterback create something out of nothing once the downfield option does not develop. With a moment to build momentum, Steele can rumble through the initial tackle to tack on a few more yards.
Steele will likely never be a high volume NFL option, but he could be a nice role player. If he makes a team, don’t be surprised to see a couple of red zone routes drawn up for the big running back with reliable hands. pic.twitter.com/yXoK1plNTv
— Jared Sapp (@TrumanChief) April 15, 2024
If isolated in the passing game, Steele can even be a legitimate red-zone passing threat. While this play against Colorado cannot be a playbook staple, good coaching could find ways to use his size on some fun passing plays near the goal line.
If a transition to fullback is in Steele’s future, a plus is that he is really good at disguising whether he is there to block or carry the ball. Here, while at Ball State in 2022, the defense initially believes him to be the ball carrier before settling into the block pic.twitter.com/f31KPrAzUd
— Jared Sapp (@TrumanChief) April 15, 2024
As a blocker, Steele is good at disguising his intentions, as he sells himself as the ball carrier before blocking here while with Ball State in 2022. While his efforts allow his quarterback time to get the throw-off, he could look stronger in standing up to the pressure.
Here, later in the same game, the defense is convinced Steele is lined up as the blocker and does not realize he has the ball until too late. pic.twitter.com/cfLEVk07jM
— Jared Sapp (@TrumanChief) April 15, 2024
Using pre-motion, Steele here can execute the reverse, as the defense sees him move late in the backfield, assuming he is a blocker before bursting for a short gain.
Steele’s limited speed means leaves little margin for error. Here the pass is a bit slow getting to him, and he can’t get going. To stay on the field, he will need smart plays to take advantage of his power while giving time to make a play. pic.twitter.com/wBZf26obrO
— Jared Sapp (@TrumanChief) April 15, 2024
As a pro, Steele will likely settle into a specialized role that will mitigate his speed limitations. There are examples of players with Steele’s profile finding success; however, this reception for a loss on a slow pass serves as a reminder of the smaller margin for error that comes with slower timed speed.
How he fits the Chiefs
At the Shrine Bowl, Steele predicted the role he would serve in the pros.
“The big part of my game,” he stated, “is being that second and third down big back. That’s really helped me so far. Being able to block out of the backfield and catch out of the backfield is my big goal coming into this.”
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid was notoriously slow to abandon the fullback position, going without one for the first time in 2023. He would serve a similar purpose even if the letters “FB” were not listed next to Steele on the Kansas City depth chart. Steele would be asked to transition to a blocking role, though likely with a higher ceiling in the passing game than former Chiefs fullbacks Anthony Sherman or Michael Burton had.
The Chiefs last season had moments of embarrassing inefficiency in short yardage situations. Interest in Steele suggests that Reid may place some of the blame on not having a fullback option.
The bottom line
Steele will likely be a late-round selection or a priority undrafted free agent. He may never be a star, but he is a smart player who should be able to succeed and add value in a situational role.
The rumbling rusher has his own reason for liking the prospect of joining the Chiefs.
“I’ve got one of my friends from Ball State,” he revealed. “Nic Jones, he’s a cornerback for the Chiefs. It’d be really cool to have the opportunity to go out there and have the opportunity to play with him again, especially in a special city like that.”