KC Chiefs: Four position battles to watch for in 2019
By Chris Clark
Running Back
It’s interesting to look at how the Chiefs’ depth chart at the running back position has evolved over just the last year. This time last year Kareem Hunt was the clear RB1 headed into the season. Now, he’s a member of the Cleveland Browns and will serve an eight-game suspension because of an altercation that happened in early 2018.
For a small window of time, running back Spencer Ware looked to be the mainstay at RB1 after Hunt’s departure. Unfortunately for him, the injury bug bit too often. In an unexpected turn of events, last year’s number three running back on the depth chart, Damien Williams, became the number one guy by season’s end.
Because of his play towards the end of 2018, Williams earned a two-year contract extension and appears to be the RB1 headed into 2019. That contract extension, though, doesn’t mean Williams won’t have competition at the position.
The Chiefs signed free agent Carlos Hyde even before the draft to put in the mix with Damien Williams and second-year man Darrel Williams, who was the only other back under contract to start the offseason.
The Chiefs also chose to use a sixth-round draft pick on Utah State’s Darwin Thompson. Thompson looks to have a similar skill set to Kareem Hunt in that he’s a receiving back who is also hard to bring down at first contact. Thompson appears to be the Chiefs most under the radar pick because of his unique skill set and the offensive genius of Andy Reid in the potential to use him.
Rookie free agents, James Williams and Marcus Marshall, have also been afforded the opportunity to potentially grab a roster spot. While it’s more unlikely for a rookie free agent to make an NFL roster, it’s not out of the question for one to grab a spot either. If the Chiefs see enough of a guy like Williams or Marshall, they may elect to save money over a player like Carlos Hyde.
That’s not to say that Hyde couldn’t show up and have a career year in Kansas City. One thing is for sure, Andy Reid will get the most out of his running backs no matter who is on the roster.
To see who gets the privilege of those snaps, Chiefs fans should watch the battle at running back getting ready to occur.