Knile Davis started out his career with the Kansas City Chiefs with so much promise. He was drafted out of Arkansas by Kansas City in the third round of the 2013 NFL draft. Many speculated that he would be the eventual replacement for the Chiefs star running back, Jamaal Charles, but that doesn’t seem to be the case anymore. Davis showed glimpses of solid running back play in 2013 and 2014 when he played in all 16 games. In 2013, the former Razorback carried the ball 70 times for 242 yards and averaged 3.5 yards per carry. He scored four touchdowns and only had one fumble.
Knile Davis is Fighting For a Roster Spot on the Kansas City Chiefs
In 2014, Davis had 134 carries for 463 yards (3.5 yards per carry) while scoring six touchdowns. The 5-foot-10, 227 pound back did fumble three times, two of which were lost, that season. Davis also was a factor in the passing game catching 27 out of 40 passes for 222 yards for an average of 8.0 yards per catch but lost a fumble in both 2013 and 2014 in the passing game. His stats definitely aren’t necessarily eye popping in those two seasons but they were manageable especially for a backup player like Davis is.
The 2015 season saw a change though when Jamaal Charles went down with a torn ACL. Fans across the league thought that Davis would get the starting job nod. That role, however, was taken over by Charcandrick West who Andy Reid felt could fill the Charles void better. West is a more elusive runner and his skill set is also similar to Charles. West is also a very solid running back in the open field. This has been a knock on Davis for awhile. Some people also believe Davis has a problem finding the open hole.
During the Week 11 matchup against the San Diego Chargers it appeared that West was a little bruised up and wouldn’t be able to play the whole game. Did Andy Reid turn to Knile Davis? No, the Chiefs head coach went to a little known running back named Spencer Ware. Ware was selected in the same draft as Davis, by the Seattle Seahawks in the sixth round.. Ware proved to be the thunder to West’s lightning. He was a bruiser style of running back. Backs like Charles and West use their elusiveness to get around defenders. Ware, however, will charge right at them and plays similar to Marshawn Lynch.
Crowded Backfield
The backfield gets even more crowded with the Chiefs hybrid style players like De’Anthony Thomas and rookie Tyreek Hill who can play receiver and running back. Andy Reid likes to use these players in many different sets. The Chiefs like to use Thomas in special teams positions. It’s assumed that Hill will do that as well with his 4.25 40-yard dash time. This gives Hill quite the speed advantage especially in special teams situations. Davis has basically been reduced to special teams roles on the Chiefs. If Hill and Thomas take the special teams jobs from him it’s looking very likely that Davis will be cut.
To add the final nail to the coffin of Davis’ career with the Chiefs, there is talk that Kansas City was looking to trade him during the start of Free Agency and before the draft. There were rumors that the Chiefs had some offers but nothing really stuck. Many teams believed that the Chiefs would end up cutting Davis and it now appears that he will get axed instead of traded.
Nobody is quite certain on what the future holds for Davis. He might just be another NFL tale of potential that just never saw the right fit. It can be difficult for a back to find his place in an already talented backfield.
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