Kansas City Chiefs: Grading Jamaal Charles And The Running Backs

Kansas City Chiefs running back Knile Davis (34) – Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

What makes a good back-up running back? Well, if you have a star starter, like the Kansas City Chiefs do, you want your second stringer to give the starter a breather every now and then without losing too much. Knile Davis isn’t as elusive as Jamaal Charles, but he he is more of a battering ram, as his career 3.5 average per carry indicates.

Yet, Davis can break off some big runs, as his career long 48-yarder against the Patriots indicates, not to mention his effectiveness in returning kicks.

You also want your back-up to be able to step in if the starter is injured. Davis was fantastic in this role in 2014. Charles went down early in game two this past season, and Davis stepped up by gaining 79 yards against the Broncos.

In week three against the Dolphins, Charles didn’t suit up. Knile Davis stepped in and pounded Miami for 132 yards on the ground. In week four, Charles was back, but still a bit limited. No matter, Davis put up 107 yards.

In his two seasons with the KC Chiefs, Davis has 705 on the ground, with ten touchdowns. He also snatched 11 passes in 2013, and 16 in 2014, for a total of 222 yards. He had a receiving touchdown this past season.

On top of everything else, he has 39 kick returns for 1,150 yards, a nice 29.5 average. He also has a kick return for a touchdown in each of his first two seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Knile Davis would get an A for his performance in a back-up role in 2014 if it wasn’t for his propensity to put the ball on the ground. He had four fumbles in 2014, after having three his rookie season.

Davis’ role should increase as time goes b, and the Chiefs are lucky to have him.

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