KC Chiefs: Way too early look at offensive free agents after 2019
By Chris Clark
Running Back
The Chiefs’ running back situation has been less-than-ideal since the release of Kareem Hunt towards the end of 2018. The guy who took over the RB1 spot at that time, Damien Williams, has been a bit of a mixed bag. He has looked great in some moments, but has been mostly inconsistent so far this season. Injuries have been part of the issue as well, which calls into question his durability.
Only totaling 309 yards rushing thus far, Williams has essentially been splitting time with veteran running back, LeSean McCoy. The aging McCoy has even been putting together a better season than his younger counterpart.
After Williams and McCoy, the Chiefs have worked in Darrel Williams as snaps have allowed. Despite suffering what’s been labeled a hamstring injury this past Sunday, the second Williams has at least looked consistent, tallying five total touchdowns, but he’s done for the year now.
After waiting 12 long weeks, Chiefs Kingdom finally got a chance to see what rookie Darwin Thompson could do. While he was mainly used to burn up the clock late in the blowout win against the Raiders, the rookie seemed to make the most of his chance and even score his first NFL touchdown.
Through an up and down season with the running game, the first-year back appears to be a bright spot. Even so, it would be nice to see the Chiefs feature a premier running back.
While the free-agent running back options are somewhat limited, there is one running back who could become an absolute wrecking ball for the Chiefs’ offense. Tennessee may not let him become a free agent, but Derrick Henry would certainly take the Chiefs offense to another level.
The 6’3″, 247-pound bruiser has shown the ability to pound opposing defenses into submission. Henry has already stacked up 11 rushing touchdowns, two receiving touchdowns, and over 1,000 yards rushing through only 12 games this season.
Needless to say, Henry might be hard to pull away from the Titans. There is another player, though, that may not be that hard to draw in during free agency. The Eagles’ Jordan Howard has had a bit of a down season in Philly after oddly becoming expendable in Chicago.
In his first three years, Howard racked up 3,370 yards rushing and 24 touchdowns on the ground. Could his down year with the Eagles make him expendable again and a potential hidden gem for Kansas City?
Hopefully, the Chiefs will find a more consistent answer to the lack of rushing attack with the help of improved o-line play and a featured running back. Chiefs fans have noticed this season how important the running game has been when Mahomes has been out or not put up gaudy numbers in order to win games.
Adding a better running back only increases the chance to win games, especially during the postseason. Look for Kansas City to beef up their backfield this offseason.