Chiefs 2022 53-Man Roster Prediction: Running Backs

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Making an NFL team’s 53-man roster for the start of the season is incredibly challenging. Some spots are filled more for niche roles and experience, rather than just simply draft status or ability. Meanwhile, special teams can make certain position battles more intense, especially for the final depth pieces looking to make it. The Kansas City Chiefs are no different than other teams.

For instance, they find themselves having to make tough decisions in key spots. This team also underwent a massive amount of changes this offseason. As a result, the opportunities are there for the taking at many spots on the 53-man roster. Though, expectations may vary all across the depth chart, at the same time.

Over the next couple of weeks, we will be going position by position, giving our best predictions of who will make the Chiefs 2022 53-man roster. Practice squads will once again be maxed out at 16 players as well. In addition to the 53-man roster, we will also give our best bets at who may make it back to Kansas City as part of the practice squad. We began things on Monday with the quarterbacks. Next up, it is time for the running backs.

Current Running Backs On Chiefs Roster

• Clyde Edwards-Helaire
• Jerick McKinnon
• Ronald Jones
• Isiah Pacheco
• Derrick Gore
• Tayon Fleet-Davis
• Michael Burton (fullback)

Make-Or-Break Campaign?

There have certainly been flashes from Edwards-Helaire throughout his first two seasons in the NFL. However, it is clear that he has not lived up to the hype of being a former first-round pick in 2020. CEH has endured struggles, both because of his own mistakes and due to items out of his control. We have seen him struggle to pick up open running lanes or read blocks adequately with his vision. Moreover, Edwards-Helaire has been unable to hold his own in passing situations. Whereas with things that were out of his control, injuries and usage continue to put a ceiling on his chances.

Edwards-Helaire is not someone who is impossible of showing improvement. The Chiefs have discussed wanting to run the ball a lot more and becoming much more balanced. Perhaps, that will lead to less anxiousness when this team is trying to protect a lead in the second half. Edwards-Helaire can still be a leader in the Kansas City backfield. Nonetheless, another up and down campaign could nearly end his chances at landing a second contract with the Chiefs.

Building Off Of Late Push

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Veteran Jerick McKinnon flew under the radar in Kansas City last year. He was signed on draft weekend during the 2021 NFL Draft. McKinnon mainly played special teams early last season. Meanwhile, the rusher even missed time late in the season, due to injury. With CEH and Darrel Williams nursing ailments, it was McKinnon who jumped into the forefront for the Chiefs rushing offense in the playoffs.

He proved that his skill set was something that Kansas City had been lacking in Andy Reid‘s offense for a while. His package of burst, long speed, bounce and vision was a breath of fresh air. Just in the three playoff games last year, McKinnon amassed 150 rushing yards, 4.4 yards per carry, 14 receptions, 165 receiving yards, 11.8 yards per reception and one receiving touchdown.

It was a bit surprising to see McKinnon go unsigned this offseason as long as he did. Yet, the Chiefs opted to bring him back and it appears to be a wise decision. He has already been performing well in training camp. With his distinct abilities, Kansas City would be wise to keep his speed and burst in the fold, allowing McKinnon an opportunity to build off of the playoff push that he had.

Rookie Lottery Ticket?

During his years as general manager, Brett Veach has found some gems on day three of the NFL Draft. We have seen how names like L’Jarius Sneed and Trey Smith have quickly made other teams look silly for passing on them. Being able to hit on those draft picks that late in the selection process is not common. The fact that Veach has done it multiple times, is rare.

It appears that he and his staff may have found another diamond in the rough. Rookie seventh-round pick, Isiah Pacheco, comes with a new blend of traits for the Chiefs backfield. His combination of size and speed is arguably unmatched in this area of the depth chart. Quite literally, he has shown that he can handle almost any task within the offense. So far at training camp, Pacheco has wowed in the dirty areas, like pass blocking and pass catching. He appears to be a leading candidate as a kick returner and punt returner. As for his rushing ability, Pacheco makes it difficult for opponents to bring him down.

He has already been rotating in with the starting offense during training camp. The Chiefs have put a lot on his plate. Immediately, Pacheco is showing that he can handle it. With Reid’s creativity and possible running back by committee approach, the Rutgers product could shock casual fans early on during his 2022 rookie season in the red and gold of the Chiefs.

Chopping Block

After four years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Ronald Jones signed with KC this offseason. He received a one-year deal. The contract does not carry a high base salary ($1.25 million) and it is heavily incentivized. Overall, this seemed like a move that could be a possible bargain for the Chiefs. This was made before they brought back McKinnon and drafted Pacheco, however.

Since then, both of those two runners have outperformed Jones in training camp. The former Buc has largely been working with the second team offense. On the other hand, there is not much versatility within the game of Jones. That usually does not bode well for running backs in Reid’s offense, no matter how many years they have been in the NFL. The pass catching aspect is largely absent for this running back. Pass blocking can be hit or miss. Finally, the power slashing running style of Jones can only get you so far.

It simply may not be a tremendous fit for either the player or the team in this situation. After making this curious signing in the first place, Kansas City has seen Jones fall to the fourth running back spot on the depth chart. It may be wise for the Chiefs to keep four running backs (not counting the fullback position), given the injury history of CEH. But, Jones will have to pick it up quickly if he hopes to make the roster. It may not be very smart to keep him, if you are the Chiefs, businesswise, when you could fill that spot with more speed down the line. We just do not see Jones fitting the 53-man roster, as things stand.

Worth Keeping

Ever since Reid became the head coach, Kansas City has rostered a fullback. It was Anthony Sherman for a long time. Last year, they brought in journeyman Michael Burton. He handled specific special teams and blocking duties. Meanwhile, he actually gave the Chiefs offense a spark when rushing the ball in short yardage situations. Those chances may have been slim for Burton. Though, he capitalized on them almost every time with powerful finishes. Given Reid’s history of not eliminating the fullback, it would be shocking to not see Burton on the Chiefs 53-man roster once again.

It may be too tight to keep more than three running backs and a fullback. However, it would not be too far off to say that Kansas City would like to keep a couple of other names around. Gore got a chance to handle some major carries in crucial games last season. Unfortunately for him, it looks like the easiest path for him to stick with KC is on the practice squad. On the flip side, undrafted rookie Tayon Fleet-Davis is a name that could make the practice squad as well. He offers effortless quickness and was a continuous explosive play jolt at Maryland.

Prediction

RB1: Clyde Edwards-Helaire

Backups/Rotational Pieces: Jerick McKinnon and Isiah Pacheco

Fullback: Michael Burton

On The Practice Squad: Derrick Gore and Tayon Fleet-Davis

Be on the lookout for more of our FPC Chiefs 53-man roster prediction articles and more Kansas City analysis in the coming days. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.

– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.