Making the case to bring Arizona State RB Cameron Skattebo to the Chiefs

The former Sun Devil could be a useful player in Kansas City.

In the coverage of the 2025 draft class, Arizona State running back Cameron Skattebo is among the most polarizing prospects. Some believe he can make it in the NFL, while others remain unconvinced his style of running can be successful at the next level. Some analysts place him among the top 50 prospects, while others have him outside the top 100.

But I am more positive about Skattebo than many others. While I recognize the concerns about his ceiling, I still believe he can have a long NFL career as a starting running back.

Background

Skattebo has faced a long, difficult path. Coming out of California’s Rio Linda High School, he was a zero-star recruit with no interest from any big program. So Skattebo enrolled at Sacramento State, where he spent three seasons.

While his freshman season was cancelled during 2020’s coronavirus pandemic, he finished 2021 as third-team All-Big Sky with 520 yards (and six touchdowns) on 57 carries — an impressive 9.1 yards per carry — while showing early progress as a receiver with 12 catches for 124 yards.

As a sophomore in 2022, he became an Associated Press third-team All-American (and Big Sky Player of the Year) after recording 196 carries for 1,373 rushing yards (and seven touchdowns) at 7.5 yards per carry, while also collecting 31 catches for 371 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

He transferred to Arizona State in 2023, putting up 163 carries for 783 yards and nine touchdowns, along with 24 catches for 286 yards and a touchdown.

Then before the 2024 season, Skattebo dropped weight to increase his speed and strength to prepare for a potential NFL role — and then dominated college football, registering 293 carries for 1,711 yards and 21 touchdowns, plus 45 catches 605 yards and three more touchdowns. While he was snubbed for the Heisman Trophy, he was an ESPN All-American — and in my opinion, should have been named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year over Shedeur Sanders.

Against Iowa State in the Big 12 Championship, Skattebo had 16 carries for 170 yards and two touchdowns on top of two catches for 38 yards and a score. Against Texas — the best college defense I watched last season — Skattebo put up a heroic 30 carries for 143 yards and two touchdowns, plus eight catches for 99 yards and a 42-yard touchdown.

At the NFL Scouting Combine, Skattebo measured just under 5 feet 10 and 219 pounds, with 29 7/8-inch arms and 9 3/8-inch hands.

While his 4.65 40-yard dash at his pro day wasn’t great, his 1.58 10-yard split (along with his 39.5-inch vertical jump and 10-foot-3 broad jump at the Combine) all display Skattebo’s burst and explosiveness. He just lacks long speed.

Film evaluation

Skattebo’s biggest strength is obvious: he’s a tackle-breaking machine who almost never goes down on first contact. He possesses elite lower-body strength, which allows him to fight through contact like the best running backs; since he is so compact and strong, defensive backs have difficulty even wrapping their arms around him. Despite his height, he wins with unparalleled physicality, pushing through piles and running over larger defensive linemen.

While it’s true that the biggest concerns about Skattebo are his speed and athleticism, I think this tends to be overstated. Yes… he won’t have huge runs in the NFL because he lacks a top-end gear — but his initial burst is excellent. He can cut back and make plays in a phone booth. He explodes into holes to quickly reach the second level — and has enough lateral explosiveness to bounce a run to the edge. (Against Texas, he did this repeatedly against Jahdae Barron).

Skattebo doesn’t just break tackles with his size, either. He also shows good vision, bouncing runs back the opposite direction. While in the NFL, he won’t turn these into 40-yard plays like he did at Arizona State, he is functional across multiple schemes.

Skattebo’s most underrated trait is his receiving ability. He doesn’t run routes like Christian McCaffrey, but he does have the soft hands he needs to be an outlet for checkdowns — and let him go one-on-one with defensive backs who are rarely able to tackle him.

One area in which Skattebo needs improvement is in pass protection, where he’s a bit lazy with his technique and effort. I see no reason he can’t improve this as a pro — but right now, it’s a big weakness.

How he fits with the Chiefs

In Kansas City, Skattebo would play much like Kareem Hunt did last year — but with more burst than Hunt shows at this point in his career. He wouldn’t add too many explosive runs, but his vision and contact balance would be helpful in keeping the Chiefs efficient on the ground. I think quarterback Patrick Mahomes would quickly come to trust him as a receiver — and the coaching staff could help him in pass protection.

The bottom line

Skattebo isn’t a perfect player. He’s not going to blow you away with his measurables. But in the NFL, we often see players succeed without them simply because they are good football players. That’s what Skattebo brings to the table. He can run, catch or throw. He can play special teams. He will do anything to win.

While Skattebo will probably never make a Pro Bowl, he can be an impactful player for winning teams. His initial burst, contact balance and vision give him a high floor. If he can also translate his receiving skills to the next level — and improve his pass protection — he’ll have a long career as a trusted running back who can work in any offense. And that has value.

Grade: Round 3