Kansas City Chiefs: Is Charcandrick West Done with the Chiefs

Jan 1, 2017; San Diego, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Charcandrick West (35) scores a touchdown during the second half of the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. The Chiefs won 37-27. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

The Kansas City Chiefs drafted running back Kareem Hunt in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Does that spell the end for former starter Charcandrick West in Kansas City next season?

Nobody in Chiefs Kingdom was surprised when the KC Chiefs selected a running back within the first three rounds of the 2017 NFL Draft. The Chiefs rushing attack was almost non-existent in the last half of the 2016 season and it was most definitely an area of concern for Kansas City.

The Chiefs traded up to grade Toledo running back Kareem Hunt with their third round pick, and Hunt could be the only guy in this draft class to compete for a starting spot on the roster.

When looking at the Chiefs current running back depth chart, Spencer Ware, Charcandrick West, and C.J. Spiller are the big names that stand out. Ware started 14 games last year and finished with 921 rushing yards and three touchdowns and in all likelihood will be the Chiefs starter, at least for the first few games.

Ware was disappointing last year, but West was even more of a disappointment. The former undrafted back out of Abilene Christian only made two starts and didn’t even rush for 300 yards. He had three total touchdowns on the year (one rushing, two receiving) and was not the effective player that he was for Kansas City in 2015.

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The battle for the third string running back spot will come down to how effective C.J. Spiller can be throughout the summer. Spiller was signed over the offseason and has had a lackluster career after being the ninth overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. His one good season came in 2012 when he rushed for 1,244 yards and six touchdowns in Buffalo.

The only thing that will keep West on this roster at the end of preseason is if Spiller can’t stay healthy or just flat out sucks. Otherwise, I think Charcandrick West could be on his way out the door.

West was given an extension after his impressive stint in 2015, where he rushed for 634 yards and four touchdowns and also grabbed 20 passes for 214 yards with a score. The extension was well-deserved, but West didn’t have a nice follow-up season to merit that extension. That’s why he could be on the hot seat.

What do you think, Chiefs fans? Should Charcandrick West be worried about his spot on the team or do you think Spiller or Ware will be let go instead?

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