Kansas City Chiefs: Darrin Reaves Deserves A Shot
By Ben Almquist
The Kansas City Chiefs are currently short on running backs, which has many pundits calling for Knile Davis to be re-signed. However, it should be the young Darrin Reaves who gets the call instead.
The Kansas City Chiefs have continued to produce quality running back after quality running back. Never has that been more apparent than these past two years. With Jamaal Charles struggling with knee problems, the Chiefs have been able to turn to Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West to carry the load. However, with Ware now dealing with a concussion, the Chiefs have to call up another running back. That back should be Darrin Reaves.
Darrin Reaves first came to Kansas City last season after starting his career in Carolina in 2014. Reaves had a decent training camp for the Chiefs, but was left off the roster. When Jamaal Charles tore his ACL in October of 2015, Reaves was brought onto the Practice Squad to replace Spencer Ware. Reaves was brought back this season and again signed to the Practice Squad.
During the 2016 preseason, Chiefs fans got their first real look at Darrin Reaves. In the preseason opener against Seattle, Reaves carried the ball 11 times for 42 yards, including a 17 yard carry. He also hauled in a 15 yard reception. The third year back would follow that with an even better performance against the Rams. It was enough to get many in Chiefs Kingdom talking.
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Why Not Knile?
Of course, most of the mainstream crowd is talking about the Kansas City Chiefs bringing back Knile Davis. Davis, as you will remember, was traded to Green Bay for a conditional draft pick. However, the Packers dropped the former Chiefs running back, and apparently did so early enough as to not owe the conditional pick. Given the circumstances, Davis to KC seems obvious.
However, I wholeheartedly disagree with this move. Knile Davis was in a complete free fall on the Kansas City depth chart. In fact, this preseason I argued that Darrin Reaves should have the roster spot instead of Davis. I still hold that opinion.
The #Packers have released RB Knile Davis, source said. That’s a bit of a surprise.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 31, 2016
Yes, Davis has more NFL experience. That would make him the more reliable option. However, the Chiefs are going to get Spencer Ware back sometime soon. They also still have both DeAnthony Thomas and Anthony Sherman to help in the backfield. This is the perfect opportunity to get the young Reaves some quality game experience.
What Do The Chiefs Gain?
Some will ask, why bother with Darrin Reaves? Well, the answer is the same as it was with Charcandrick West and Spencer Ware last season. The Chiefs may have yet another talented young running back in their stable. Reaves flashed the talent in preseason, just like West and Ware once did. He’s also gotten to work with Chiefs running backs coach Eric Bienemy.
Young and cheap talent is one of the absolute best commodities to have in the NFL. If the Chiefs are able to discover yet another talented young running back on their roster, it opens all sorts of possibilities. The recent track record of the franchise suggests that this is absolutely a possibility.
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The Kansas City Chiefs just seem to reload at the running back position. It’s a trend that actually goes back multiple decades. For whatever reason, the Chiefs can just flat out run the ball. It’s a point of pride for the organization. I think Darrin Reaves is a prime candidate to continue that tradition.