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Kansas City Chiefs: Kareem Hunt Will Spark Battle in the Backfield

By trevb

Sep 30, 2016; Provo, UT, USA; Toledo Rockets running back Kareem Hunt (3) tries to find a way around the Brigham Young Cougars defense during the fourth quarter at Lavell Edwards Stadium. Brigham Young won 55-53. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2016; Provo, UT, USA; Toledo Rockets running back Kareem Hunt (3) tries to find a way around the Brigham Young Cougars defense during the fourth quarter at Lavell Edwards Stadium. Brigham Young won 55-53. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the 86th pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs selected Kareem Hunt. Hunt should be a new contender in the Chiefs backfield that will battle for a spot against Charcandrick West and Spencer Ware.

After setting Chiefs Kingdom on fire with the pick of Patrick Mahomes in the first round, the Kansas City Chiefs continued to add to their offensive weapons with running back Kareem Hunt. Hunt is an impressive running back from Toledo that led the Rockets offense throughout his four-year career.

One look at Hunt’s football highlights and one comes away with two observations: He never goes down, and he is very patient. His approach at his carries on the field reminds me of the patience of Le’Veon Bell in some aspects. His patience gets him open looks and his acceleration gets him down the field.

Obviously, Hunt is now a favorite to contend for a spot at the running back position with the mediocrity of Spencer Ware and the loss of Jamaal Charles. So, how will the backfield contest ultimately be decided?

1. As a talented running back out of one of the most offensive laden drafts for the Chiefs ever, Kareem Hunt should be a great prospect for the Chiefs. Right now, Hunt is the most talented running back on the Chiefs roster. So, here is my bold prediction: Kareem Hunt will start day one for the Chiefs next season.. RB. Toledo. KAREEM HUNT

Kareem Hunt finished his college career with 4,945 rushing yards, averaging 6.3 rushing yards per carry, and racking up 44 rushing touchdowns. For his receiving, he had 555 receiving yards on 73 receptions and average 7.6 yards per reception.

This stat line can definitely contend and overcome Spencer Ware, and I believe it will.

2. After taking over for Jamaal Charles, Spencer Ware had an outstanding 2015 season. His 2016 season, however, was a completely different story. With the Chiefs drafting a running back in the second round of the NFL Draft, Ware is in the hot seat.. RB. LSU. SPENCER WARE

Spencer Ware is not the answer for the Chiefs future in the backfield. That became apparent after his mediocrity last season. Now with the Chiefs trading up to get Kareem Hunt, it seems Ware will become a backup running back fairly soon.

Last season Ware started 14 games and rushed 214 times for 921 yards and three touchdowns. He averaged 4.3 rushing yards per attempt. Ware’s stats do not even come close to those of Hunt.

While it is understood that Kareem Hunt’s stats are on a college playing field instead of a professional one, the margin of performance is wide. Ware will back up Hunt next season.

Picked up just recently over the offseason, C.J. Spiller had one good season with the Buffalo Bills. Recently he has been irrelevant in professional football. The Chiefs picked up this guy for a reason: to slot him in as a potential backup and assist with the receiving in the backfield.. RB. Clemson. C.J. SPILLER. 3

C.J. Spiller was definitely a potential talent when he was drafted in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft. Now is probably the time to be saying he passed up on the potential talent he did have. What Spiller can be is an answer at the reception department of the running backs.

Spiller’s best season was in 2012. During that season, Spiller started only nine games, rushed 207 times for 1,244 yards adding six touchdowns and averaging six yards per carry. While this season stat line is promising, Spiller has not put up numbers remotely close to that now.

Abilene Chirstian. CHARCANDRICK WEST. 4. West was another running back with a promising season after Jamaal Charles was injured in 2015, but like Ware, West has just been mediocre since then. West should fall behind Spiller on the roster and if he continues to be fourth on the depth chart, he will eventually be traded or dropped.. RB

Charcandrick West has been a great running back for the Chiefs. Since his best season in 2015, West has disappeared. During the 2015 season, West rushed 160 times for 634 yards and added four touchdowns. During the 2016 season, West rushed 88 times for 293 yards and one touchdown.West should eventually become like Knile Davis, and either re-sign with another team or be traded.

With the Chiefs picking up Kareem Hunt, the future is set for the KC Chiefs at running back. Whether that future is bright or not depends on the prospects that the Chiefs weigh their future on.

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