The Kansas City Chiefs haven't had a 1,000-yard rusher in nearly a decade. That's why, after another year of a pedestrian and inefficient running game, they made a statement by signing Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III, turning the page on Isiah Pacheco (signed with Detroit Lions) and Kareem Hunt (still a free agent).
As exciting as it'll be to see Walker in K.C., even the best things can be improved. Given how much the Chiefs struggled to run the ball efficiently last season — both of their primary RBs averaged fewer than 4.0 yards per carry — they might want to double down by making a run at another proven veteran.
Even better, they can do so while actively messing with a divisional rival's plans. According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, the Las Vegas Raiders will meet with free agent RB Najee Harris on April 2, and it'd be in the Chiefs' best interest to throw a wrench into their rival's plans before that Sin City visit happens.
Najee Harris Makes Perfect Sense for the Chiefs
The Chiefs added Emari Demercado as Kareem Hunt's likely replacement as the RB2. That said, Demercado has never had more than 58 carries or 312 rushing yards in his three years in the league. He has three career rushing touchdowns (none last season), which means he might not have lead-back potential if Walker ends up missing time.
Although more help can be found in next month's draft, a former starter like Harris would elevate the RB room and provide some much-needed competition.
For starters, the Chiefs averaged just 106.6 rushing yards per game last season, ranking 25th in the league. That's reason enough to want to double down on the running back room, even though Walker can clearly handle three-down duties on his own.
That would move Demercado to RB3 duties and give them a chance to move Brashard Smith back to wide receiver, his original position, and another area of need in Kansas City. The Chiefs could even move the second-year RB to the practice squad, as they likely wouldn't feel much remorse in icing out a former seventh-rounder.
While not the most efficient running back by any means — Harris averages 3.9 yards per carry in his career — he could be a huge upgrade as a backup, just like he was briefly with Omarion Hampton before his season-ending injury last season. He averaged 4.1 yards per carry with a career-best 86.7 percent success rate.
Harris finished without any rushing TDs, sure, but it's worth noting that he averaged seven ground scores per season during his four-year run with the Pittsburgh Steelers. It's also worth noting that the 4.5 yards per carry he averages vs. the AFC West in his career is his best effort against any division, so he'd feel right at home with the Chiefs.
Additionally, his 68 career starts would instantly make him the most experienced RB on the roster, giving Walker (54 starts) a trustworthy right-hand man.
A Free Shot at the Raiders
If that wasn't reason enough to consider signing him, luring him away from Las Vegas would also hurt the Raiders. They spent a lot of money in free agency and revamped their offense with the addition of Klint Kubiak as head coach, will have the No. 1 pick and likely Fernando Mendoza, and already have a budding star in Ashton Jeanty.
Having a strong one-two punch in the division is bad news for the Chiefs, and getting better while hurting a divisional rival is the sweetest feeling for any GM. Harris is a good fit, and with a projected market value of just $2.9 million (Spotrac), a potential signing makes sense from a financial perspective.
In other words, the Chiefs can't let the buzz surrounding Harris go unnoticed. They have less than a week to convince him to ditch any plans to join the Raiders and to move to Kansas City, where he could play a key role in the Chiefs' return to glory.