Chiefs scouting report: Penn State Nittany Lions RB Nick Singleton

The Kansas City Chiefs selected LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. That decision didn’t work out for Kansas City and serves as a warning to other teams considering first-round running backs. Fortunately, the 2025 NFL Draft features plenty of depth at the position.

An injury to Isiah Pacheco exposed Kansas City’s lack of depth at running back. The Chiefs have more than enough draft picks this coming cycle to add another talented player to their backfield.

Penn State running back Nick Singleton is a freakish athlete. According to Bruce Feldman of The Athletic, he hit 23.6 mph on a GPS and ran a 4.35 40-yard dash this past summer. Singleton is unofficially listed at 6’0″, 226 lbs. but possesses home run speed.

Singleton uses his quick, controlled footwork to navigate through narrow gaps before exploding past first and second-level defenders. He often erases the safety’s pursuit angle by surprising the defender with his top speed. Singleton’s muscular frame helps him break tackle attempts, and he churns his legs through contact to pick up extra yardage.

Singleton is an every-down back capable of producing as a pass catcher at the short to intermediate levels and providing protection as a blocker. Singleton is too quick for most linebackers to cover, and the Nittany Lions use him on routes that stretch beyond the sticks. He quickly identifies and squares up with blitzing defenders in pass protection.

The Nittany Lions start their Big Ten conference schedule when Illinois visits Happy Valley on Saturday, Sept. 28.