The Kansas City Chiefs over the years have had solid running back play even when the offense overall is pretty lackluster. Whether it was Priest Holmes, Larry Johnson, or Jamaal Charles carrying the ball it has been expected that the Chiefs will have a solid running back in the 2000’s to help carry the team. Before these big three names there were players like Marcus Allen, Christian Okoye, Ed Podolak, Abner Haynes, and Tony Richardson at fullback, or what could have been with Joe Delaney. Heading in to training camp though, it’s time to take a look at the Chiefs running back depth projections.
Kansas City Chiefs Running Back Depth Chart Projections
Jamaal Charles
It should be a surprise to no one that Jamaal Charles is the number one running back on the Kansas City Chiefs heading in to 2016. He has the highest yards per carry of any running back in NFL history averaging 5.5 and when healthy has been known to be able to shred defenses to pieces. Charles can also catch passes which makes him valuable to Alex Smith in the passing game and gives Charles a lot of open room to run which will scare any defense. Jamaal Charles is also the Kansas City Chiefs all-time rushing career leader which puts him in front of every single player that was named earlier. Charles will turn 30 this upcoming season so he might not be the number one back for too many more seasons but heading into 2016 he will be the top back.
Charcandrick West
When Charles went down with a torn ACL injury nobody was really sure about the young player Andy Reid said would replace Charles in Charcandrick West. He was an undrafted free agent out of Abilene Christian that signed with the Chiefs in 2014 but was cut and then signed to the Kansas City practice squad after he cleared waivers. West stepped up to fill Charles shoes and that he did. West is considered to be very similar to Charles, he is elusive in open space and tough to catch once he starts running. He played in 15 games in 2015 and had 634 rushing yards averaging 4.0 yards per carry and scoring four touchdowns. Just like Charles, West can be used in the passing game and had 20 receptions for 214 yards and averaged 10.7 yards receiving.
Spencer Ware
With West’s lightning type rushing approach came Spencer Ware’s thunder approach. Ware would make defenders pay for trying to tackle him. At 5’10 and 228 lbs. he is the heaviest running back on the Chiefs minus the fullback Anthony Sherman. Ware became a great asset to help run right at defenders and pick up those hard fought yards. Ware can be especially crucial along goal line type of carries. Ware was drafted out of LSU by the Seattle Seahawks in 2013 however he was release in August of 2014 by Seattle. The Chiefs decided to sign Ware to a future contract in December of 2014. He would become activated off the practice squad leading up to the week 8 match-up against the Detroit Lions in London on November 1st, 2015. Ware would play 11 games for Kansas City and rush for 403 yards while averaging 5.5 yards per carry. He had six touchdowns on the season and did not fumble the ball once.
Knile Davis
At one point in time, Davis was back-up to only Jamaal Charles and was considered one of the better back-up options in the league. The Chiefs selected Davis in the 3rd round and he played in every game in 2013 and 2014 as a backup to Charles. Davis rushed for 242 yards in 2013, and 463 yards in 2014 but saw very little rushes in 2015 where he played 14 games but only rushed for 72 yards. It is rumored that Davis saw less playing time due to him averaging 3.5 yards per carry and having a tendency to fumble sometimes. Davis still sees field time returning kickoffs and can be a huge asset on the Chiefs special teams but it’s highly speculated how much longer he will be on the Chiefs.
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