Sports Illustrated ranks Chiefs star Kenneth Walker No. 9 RB in NFL

Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III was ranked No. 9 overall in Sports Illustrated’s rankings of the top 10 running backs for the 2026 season.

“Walker earned PFF’s highest rushing grade in 2025 at 91.4, and also hauled in 31 receptions for 202 receiving yards—a positive for coach Andy Reid, who’s known for using his running backs in the passing game,” Sports Illustrated’s Mike Kadlick said of Kansas City’s new bell cow.

Walker rushed for more than 1,000 yards in 2025 and was an impactful player for the Seattle Seahawks in the lead-up to their victory in Super Bowl LX earlier this year. The former Michigan State Spartan has the potential to put up even more impressive numbers in Kansas City next season, which may add to his status as a top 10 running back in the league and put him in a position to enter the highest tier of elite players at his position.

This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: Sports Illustrated ranks Chiefs star Kenneth Walker No. 9 RB in NFL