
It is time for more projections. There are plenty of headlines to take into account when looking at the Kansas City Chiefs running backs heading into 2018. Without any more delay, let’s take a look at the Chiefs running backs and predict who will make the final roster.
Running Backs on the current roster: Kareem Hunt, Spencer Ware, Charcandrick West, Damien Williams, Kerwynn Williams, Darrel Williams
Hunting Season
Kareem Hunt will undoubtedly enter his sophomore season with high expectations. In his rookie season, Hunt finished as the NFL’s leading rusher. Despite that satisfying feat, the Chiefs somehow steered away from Hunt in the Wild Card loss to the Titans, as he only garnered eleven carries.
There are some different qualities in Hunt’s game that allowed him to achieve that impressive first season. First, Hunt has the field vision that allows him to see any hole and try and hit it. This is something that Hunt showed from the Senior Bowl in 2017 before the Chiefs drafted him, and defenses continued to allow cutbacks that become common week in and week out. Hunt also showed that it takes a strong, hard-hitting tackle to bring him down. According to Pro Football Focus, Hunt forced 77 missed tackles, 61 of those were rushing and 16 on receiving. His forced missed tackles were also the best mark in the league.
No. 2 Running Back
The number two running back spot on the depth chart looks to be between Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West.
Coming into 2017, the Chiefs had released Jamaal Charles and the starting job was solely in the hands of Ware. Unfortunately, he suffered a torn PCL and additional knee damage in the third preseason game. Ware missed the entire season. Following the injury, Ware looks as good as new heading into this season. Now, there have only been looks of Ware on social media videos and other reports, but at least there is good news. Andy Reid mentioned that Ware “is good” heading into training camp.
As for West, his pass blocking is always entertaining to watch. There seems to be at least one defender that flips over and is cut down by West every game in passing situations. West has achieved at least 150 receiving yards in all of his last three years. So, if the number two running back spot is not his, West’s third-down presence is still necessary for the Chiefs.
-
Ep 38: Tyreek Hill Traded To The Dolphins
by Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2022 at 12:10 am
Meet the Williams
This is not a typo. There actually are three Williams, all in the running back room for the Chiefs.
Both Damien and Kerwynn have some NFL experience and are both entering their first campaign with the Chiefs. Damien has been used mostly as a receiving back in his career with the Dolphins, but he has been given plenty of opportunities as a rusher as well. Kerwynn enjoyed his first full season last year, playing in all sixteen games with the Cardinals. He racked up just over 500 total yards in a season where Arizona’s top running back was out with an injury.
Meanwhile, Darrel has come a long way to be a part of the Chiefs heading into training camp. Like Spencer Ware, Darrel Williams was a former high school quarterback who eventually became a running back. Also like Ware, Darrel played his college ball at LSU. He did not get a ton of opportunities, as he sat behind both Leonard Fournette and Derrius Guice during his time there. But as a complementary back, his numbers are still impressive. What could help Darrel make this Chiefs team is the versatility he possesses between the tackles and out in space.
Final Depth Chart: 1) Kareem Hunt 2) Spencer Ware 3) Charcandrick West 4) Damien Williams
Like in past seasons, the Chiefs running back depth chart is loaded and some viable contenders are going to get the short end of the stick and not make the active roster. Hunt and Ware are the powerhouses and the main focal point of the Chiefs running game. Besides the aforementioned third-down presence that West exuberates, his leadership and experience will be needed with a young quarterback like Patrick Mahomes stepping in. The war between the Williams looks to be in Damien Williams’ hands. The main reason being that the Chiefs are more likely to use two running back sets in passing situations. This is something that Mahomes ran while at Texas Tech, and Damien has shown that his hands are consistent out of the backfield.
As for Kerwynn and Darrel, it is highly likely that it comes down to the final cut day as to if they make the active roster or not. Both have the abilities and it should be a fun battle to watch. Come regular season time, one or the other, or maybe both have the ability to land on the Chiefs practice squad.
That was my analysis of the Chiefs running backs and their chances of making the team. The line will keep on moving with these projections. It will be time to look at the wide receivers in our next projection. As always, remember to check out Full Press Coverage for great sports content.
-
Ep 111: Joe Horrigan Returns To Remember Vietnam Veteran And Former Bills OT Bob Kalsuby Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2022 at 9:25 pm
As we approach Memorial Day, Joe Horrigan returns to the show to talk to […]
-
Ep 110: New Playoff Teams In 2022; Best Matchups On NFL Scehduleby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 3:42 am
Clark, Ira, and Ian give their four teams that didn't make the NFL […]
-
Ep 109: Hall of Fame Voter Ed Bouchette Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on May 12, 2022 at 6:28 pm
Long time Steelers writer and current Hall of Fame voter, Ed Bouchette […]
-
Ep 108: Hall of Famer Bryant Young Returns To The Showby Full Press Coverage on May 6, 2022 at 1:45 am
Pro Football Hall of Famer Bryant Young returns to the show to talk with […]
-
Ep 107: Pro Football HOF President Jim Porter Returns To The Showby Full Press Coverage on April 27, 2022 at 6:58 pm
Clark and Ira are once again joined by the Pro Football Hall of Fame's […]
-
Ep 106: Remembering Pat Tillman w/ Former Cardinals Coach Dave McGinnisby Full Press Coverage on April 21, 2022 at 12:43 pm
Former Cardinals head coach Dave McGinnis joins Clark and Ira to remember […]
-
Ep 105: Who Are The Top 5 Quarterbacks of All Time?by Full Press Coverage on April 15, 2022 at 12:46 am
Who is the most underrated quarterback of all time? The most overrated? […]
-
Ep 104: John McClain Joins The Show To Talk Retirement and Houston Sportsby Full Press Coverage on April 8, 2022 at 2:50 am
Former Texans beat reporter for the Houston Chronicle, John McClain, joins […]
-
Ep 111: Joe Horrigan Returns To Remember Vietnam Veteran And Former Bills OT Bob Kalsuby Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2022 at 9:25 pm
As we approach Memorial Day, Joe Horrigan returns to the show to talk to […]
-
Ep 110: New Playoff Teams In 2022; Best Matchups On NFL Scehduleby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 3:42 am
Clark, Ira, and Ian give their four teams that didn't make the NFL […]
-
Ep 109: Hall of Fame Voter Ed Bouchette Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on May 12, 2022 at 6:28 pm
Long time Steelers writer and current Hall of Fame voter, Ed Bouchette […]
-
Ep 108: Hall of Famer Bryant Young Returns To The Showby Full Press Coverage on May 6, 2022 at 1:45 am
Pro Football Hall of Famer Bryant Young returns to the show to talk with […]
-
Ep 107: Pro Football HOF President Jim Porter Returns To The Showby Full Press Coverage on April 27, 2022 at 6:58 pm
Clark and Ira are once again joined by the Pro Football Hall of Fame's […]
-
Ep 106: Remembering Pat Tillman w/ Former Cardinals Coach Dave McGinnisby Full Press Coverage on April 21, 2022 at 12:43 pm
Former Cardinals head coach Dave McGinnis joins Clark and Ira to remember […]
-
Ep 105: Who Are The Top 5 Quarterbacks of All Time?by Full Press Coverage on April 15, 2022 at 12:46 am
Who is the most underrated quarterback of all time? The most overrated? […]
-
Ep 104: John McClain Joins The Show To Talk Retirement and Houston Sportsby Full Press Coverage on April 8, 2022 at 2:50 am
Former Texans beat reporter for the Houston Chronicle, John McClain, joins […]
-
Ep 231: Sons of Dynasty Draftsby Full Press Coverage on May 19, 2022 at 9:28 pm
-
Ep 230: Early Rookie Draft Seasonby Full Press Coverage on May 10, 2022 at 7:58 pm
-
Ep 229: Fantasy Fallout From the NFL Draftby Full Press Coverage on May 6, 2022 at 10:52 pm
-
Ep 228: Pre-NFL Draft Dynasty Rookie Draftby Full Press Coverage on April 27, 2022 at 2:52 am
-
5/11 - Patriots Depth Chart, Contract Issues, Smoked Meat, and Ernie Adams With Matt Chathamby Full Press Coverage on May 11, 2021 at 7:54 pm
Matt Chatham joins Steve, Murph, and Clare to talk Patriots depth chart, […]
-
5/4 - Good, Bad, and Ugly From NFL Draft With Evan Lazarby Full Press Coverage on May 4, 2021 at 7:39 pm
Evan Lazar of CLNS Media joins Steve, Murph, and Claire to recap the […]
-
5/27 - RIP Ray Liotta; Golden State Advances; Celtics On The Vergeby Full Press Coverage on May 27, 2022 at 7:00 pm
Ian and John discuss the passing of actor Ray Liotta, the Warriors Game 5 […]
-
5/25 - Texas Tragedy; Celtics/Heat Game Fiveby Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2022 at 7:21 pm
Ian and John react to the tragic school shooting in Texas. In addition, […]
-
Which Athlete Do You Want To See Roasted?by Full Press Coverage on May 24, 2022 at 2:40 pm
Ian and John discuss the upcoming Tom Brady roast and which athlete they […]
-
Warriors Take Commanding Lead; How Can The Celtics Rebound? (5/23)by Full Press Coverage on May 23, 2022 at 3:37 pm
Ian and John discuss the Warriors commanding 3-0 series lead over the […]
-
5/23 - Red Sox; NBA Playoffs; Tom Brady Roastby Full Press Coverage on May 23, 2022 at 3:32 pm
Ian and John discuss the Red Sox recent surge, the Warriors lead over the […]
-
Celtics Rebound In Game Two; Series Heads To Bostonby Full Press Coverage on May 21, 2022 at 11:00 am
Ian and John discuss the Celtics big game two win over the Heat as the […]
-
Lightning On Way To A Three-Peat? (5/20)by Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 4:18 pm
Ian and John discuss the Tampa Bay Lightning and their 2-0 series lead […]
-
5/20 - Tampa Bay Lightning; Celtics Blow Out Heatby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 1:41 pm
Ian and John discuss the Tampa Bay Lightning's quest for a third-straight […]
-
Ep 38: Tyreek Hill Traded To The Dolphinsby Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2022 at 12:10 am
Ian and Braden react to the trade of Tyreek Hill from the Chiefs to the […]
-
Ep 37: Matt Ryan Traded To The Colts; Jameis Returns To NOLA; Mariota to ATLby Full Press Coverage on March 23, 2022 at 6:00 pm
Ian and Braden react to the trade of Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts […]
-
Talkamania Episode 226by Talkamania on May 16, 2022 at 11:23 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 225by Talkamania on April 2, 2022 at 3:03 pm
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 184 "Sasha and Naomi"by Boot 2 The Face on May 26, 2022 at 1:01 am
Marty and Rucker are back talking about the hottest topic in wrestling, […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 183 "The Streets Been Waiting"by Boot 2 The Face on May 15, 2022 at 4:59 pm
Sponsored by athleticgreens.com/EMERGING
-
Ep 115: Kelly Kellyby Full Press Coverage on May 28, 2022 at 2:00 pm
-
5/27 - RIP Ray Liotta; Golden State Advances; Celtics On The Vergeby Full Press Coverage on May 27, 2022 at 7:00 pm
-
Battle of Alberta Comes To An End; Goal or No Goal... History Repeats itself for Calgary?by Full Press Coverage on May 27, 2022 at 5:25 pm
-
Ep 132: Packers Fan Series with Jamie NoLastNameby Full Press Coverage on May 26, 2022 at 8:08 pm
-
Which Professional Athlete Would You Want To See Roasted?by Full Press Coverage on May 26, 2022 at 3:00 pm
-
Ep. 254: The Mo Showby Full Press Coverage on May 26, 2022 at 2:57 am
-
Ep 111: Joe Horrigan Returns To Remember Vietnam Veteran And Former Bills OT Bob Kalsuby Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2022 at 9:25 pm
-
Mavericks Avoid Elimination; Celtics Head To Miamiby Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2022 at 8:26 pm
-
5/25 - Texas Tragedy; Celtics/Heat Game Fiveby Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2022 at 7:21 pm
-
5/27 - RIP Ray Liotta; Golden State Advances; Celtics On The Vergeby Full Press Coverage on May 27, 2022 at 7:00 pm
-
5/25 - Texas Tragedy; Celtics/Heat Game Fiveby Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2022 at 7:21 pm
-
Which Athlete Do You Want To See Roasted?by Full Press Coverage on May 24, 2022 at 2:40 pm
-
Warriors Take Commanding Lead; How Can The Celtics Rebound? (5/23)by Full Press Coverage on May 23, 2022 at 3:37 pm
-
5/23 - Red Sox; NBA Playoffs; Tom Brady Roastby Full Press Coverage on May 23, 2022 at 3:32 pm
-
Celtics Rebound In Game Two; Series Heads To Bostonby Full Press Coverage on May 21, 2022 at 11:00 am
-
Lightning On Way To A Three-Peat? (5/20)by Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 4:18 pm
-
5/20 - Tampa Bay Lightning; Celtics Blow Out Heatby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 1:41 pm
-
5/16 - Celtics Advance; Jayson Tatum; Golden State; NBA Playoffsby Full Press Coverage on May 17, 2022 at 4:35 pm
-
NFL Schedule Release Reaction (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 14, 2022 at 10:45 am