With second-year running back Isiah Pacheco being the clear-cut No. 1 running back in the Kansas City Chiefs’ backfield heading into the 2023 season, the team won’t use him as the primary kick returner as they did during his rookie season.

That’s why prior to the team’s preseason opener against the New Orleans Saints on August 13, special teams coordinator David Toub has announced Kansas City’s primary kick returner for the preseason opener:

Undrafted rookie running back, Deneric Prince.

Toub announced the decision during his press conference on August 5.

Deneric Prince Carving Out Role on 53-Player Roster

Deneric Prince is another example of Chiefs general manager Brett Veach finding value for Kansas City’s backfield without having to spend significant draft capital. He did so in 2022 as well with the selection of Isiah Pacheco in the seventh round.

Prince has shown the ability to be a threat out of the backfield, particularly in the passing game, during offseason programs and training camp. More importantly, he has demonstrated his ability to contribute on special teams, which is why, with more than a week until the start of the preseason, he has been selected as the starting kick returner.

That’s key for Prince, because special teams will likely be the way he makes Kansas City’s 53-player roster come September.

Prince being an effective pass-catcher out of the backfield is helpful, but veteran Jerick McKinnon proved last season by way of 9 receiving touchdowns that he deserves to be the team’s primary third-down back. That’s why, despite providing additional value for the Chiefs on later downs, Prince will make the team’s regular season roster by way of his contributions on special teams.

Although Prince hasn’t yet secured the primary kick return responsibilities for the regular season, the fact that he was the top kick returner going into the preseason opener suggests that Kansas City’s coaching staff was impressed with what they had seen from him. This is encouraging for Prince’s prospects of making it through Kansas City’s post-preseason cuts.