The Kansas City Chiefs unexpectedly lost their running back one, Spencer Ware, to a PCL, and LCL injury in Friday night’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks. This is a huge blow to the Chiefs explosive offense. Fortunately, there is no need to be incredibly worried about Kansas City’s running back corps, as Kansas City will be just fine finding a ball carrier. With previous strategic roster building in the past, Kansas City is lucky enough to have key players who are more than capable backing up Ware. Three worthy candidates make a case for running back number one in the 2017 season in Kareem Hunt, C.J. Spiller, and Charcandrick West. Luckily enough Chiefs Kingdom has no reason to worry about lack of talent in the backfield due to these desirable players, and here is why.
Chiefs Lack Spencer Ware – But Own A Talented Backfield
Kareem Hunt
Recent third round draft pick out of Toledo University, Kareem Hunt seems to have had the running back position mastered at a collegiate level. Kansas City traded up in order to obtain Hunt, due to his attractive playing style, and his heart for the game.
Round three, overall pick number 86 Kareem Hunt owns all of the traits a NFL running back should bundle. He strives for contact, he makes defenders sorry for trying to tackle him, and everything else in between. Kareem Hunt now has found himself in position to be number one in the running back depth chart.
Why Hunt Will Start
Although there is no real way to say Hunt has dominated the NFL due to him just making it into the league, preseason football has given Kansas City a reason to be ecstatic about the rookie. Hunt has sacrificed his body to gain the extra yard. If the team needs three yards for a first down, Hunt will obtain four or five. He strives for the extra yards. His pass blocking ability was shady in college, but with the coaching staff owned by Kansas City, this is an easy fix.
Hunt obviously has something special to his game. The Chiefs traded up in the third round to acquire him. Hunt seems to be the best candidate to take over offensively with the lack of Ware. His youth has advantage against the other running backs on the depth chart. It seems Hunt is in perfect position to start running back in his rookie season, and he is ready for the challenge.
Why Hunt Will Not Start
This is an obvious case here, Hunt is only a rookie. Hunt has not had any NFL experience except for the preseason, and the preseason is only experimental football. This argument can be ended quickly as there has been plenty of rookies who have done big things in the NFL. Hunt knows he has plenty of work to do to become the number one running back. His lack of experience could hold him back. The NFL is packed to the top with talented players. Hunt may not be able to get away with some of his playing style strategies in the NFL as he did in college. This is all about the willingness for Hunt to become adaptable to the game, the NFL is a whole new game, the speed and superstar status players spew out of the league. Youth may hurt Hunt, but it seems Hunt is fearless, and age shall not determine his NFL stardom.
C.J. Spiller
Veteran playmaker C.J. Spiller joined Kansas City’s roster during this previous off-season, after being released by the New Orlean Saints. Spiller at one point had star status in the NFL, as he was a go to player for the Buffalo Bills. After a few knee injuries, which set back his career, Spiller has been looking for a chance to rejuvenate his career.
Why Spiller Will Start
It seems to be a stretch that Spiller is the starter here for Kansas City, but anything is possible. Behind his previous quiet seasons, Spiller carries a successor of pure talent for the game of football. Spiller’s speed, and shiftiness allow him to slip away from defenders. Despite his small build, he is not afraid of any player twice his size. His heart for the game is more than likely bigger than anyone’s physical build in the NFL.
Spiller should make the final 53 man roster for Kansas City, after being initially questioned. But with Ware injured, it seems like a no-brainer to keep such a talent on the roster. Spiller will be a great addition to Kansas City, and adds another dynamic play-maker for the skilled roster for Kansas City.
Why Spiller Will Not Start
Spiller has had the case of injuries the past few seasons. This has set him back in his career and killed his momentum in the NFL. He has been quiet the last few seasons. Everyone who watches the NFL with a desire to watch superstars perform, should know the name C.J. Spiller. But it seems as if his age, and low durability will hold him back from starting for the Chiefs. Despite him not starting, look for Spiller to still have a large impact for the team offensively.
Charcandrick West
An undrafted gem out of Abilene Christian University, Charcandrick West has stuck with the Kansas City Chiefs for three seasons, as he is coming up onto his fourth season. Former general manager John Dorsey, and head coach Andy Reid found West during rookie training camps, and the rest was history. West proved he was a lost gem in the 2014 NFL draft, as everyone decided to draft a name with more value. West has high value with Kansas City, and is expected to play some very good football this upcoming season.
Why West Will Start
Spencer Ware is having season ending surgery. Someone has to take the load that Ware once carried. Although it appears that Hunt will be the starter, West has a great chance to start as well.
Out of the two other candidates stated above, West has the most experience with the Kansas City Chiefs. West may not have the highest ceiling, but he understands the team’s strategic philosophy best. West has an advantage here above the others, although it seems unlikely he is the best choice for the starting back job. But, if Reid and company want team experience in the backfield, West is the guy.
Why West Will Not Start
As negative as it sounds, West was not drafted. West had to try out for Kansas City. Luckily enough for him, he was able to make the roster. West has shown some unbelievable potential for being a no-name going into the NFL draft, but reasonably not quite enough for Kansas City to consider a consistent contributor in the backfield.
He surely will not be the starter, but look for West to have a great season, as he takes this as an opportunity to take the next step in his career. This is the perfect situation for West to expand his game, with Ware out of the rotation. West works hard to help the team succeed, but there isn’t enough there dimensionally for West to be the versatile running back Kansas City is looking for.
What to Expect
As a fan, expect all three of these fundamentally sound players to all contribute positively for the team. Hunt, Spiller, and West are a very attractive trio to own in the backfield. It seems as if rookie Kareem Hunt is up next, due to his high ceiling, but who knows; crazy things tend to happen in Kansas City.
In a week, many highly anticipated questions will be answered in game one against the New England Patriots. Losing Ware does indeed hurt Kansas City, and their high chemistry within the offensive side of the ball. Yet, do not fret Kansas City, this team has unbelievable depth, and this is where the depth comes in handy the most. Luckily enough, Chiefs Kingdom has no reason to worry about lack of talent in the backfield due to these desirable players.
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