Undrafted Chiefs Rookie Must Make 53-Man Roster After Stellar Preseason Debut
By Joe Summers
![Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, center right, looks on with his staff during the fourth quarter of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jacksonville Jaguars defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 26-13. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_6000,h_3375,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images%2FImagnImages%2Fmmsport%2F220%2F01j53jcpbr31kdw12pzn.jpg "Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, center right, looks on with his staff during the fourth quarter of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jacksonville Jaguars defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 26-13. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]")
The Chiefs' 26-13 loss in the first preseason game to the Jaguars on Saturday featured many hiccups, but undrafted rookie RB Carson Steele may have cemented a roster spot.
Steele has been a steady riser throughout the summer and was Kansas City's best offensive player against Jacksonville. He finished with four carries for 29 yards and the team's only TD, averaging an impressive 7.3 yards per carry on a day the team as a whole averaged only 3.9.
Given Steele's size and versatility, he could serve as both a fullback and running back for the Chiefs. Put it all together and it's obvious he needs to make this roster.
Undrafted Chiefs Rookie Carson Steele Deserves a Roster Spot
Andy Reid has been asked about Carson Steele as a return to the fullback twice in camp — and he twice mentioned he’s also impressed with him as a runner, period. That translated. pic.twitter.com/0Y8Plzla85
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) August 11, 2024
It's hard to complain about much with the Chiefs, but their biggest offensive weakness has consistently been converting short-yardage situations.
Steele's brute running style was on full display during his scoring drive. He punched in a one-yard TD run on fourth down, illustrating how he could be used in the regular season.
I think we found our short yardage guy. Carson Steele is making this team! 😤 pic.twitter.com/VYFO03c1Ga
— Brad Henson Productions (@BradHensonPro) August 11, 2024
During his two years at Ball State, Steele compiled a remarkable 2,770 yards from scrimmage with 22 TDs. He then transferred to UCLA for one season, adding another 1,010 yards from scrimmage and eight TDs.
With pass-catching ability and solid blocking chops, Steele has the perfect skillset to complement this offense. He's the missing piece in short-yardage the Chiefs have needed, and it looks more likely by the day that he makes the team.
Out of every player in Saturday's game, Steele stood out the most. He dominated during his featured drive and is clearly a player who can be utilized in a variety of ways.
Keeping Steele along with Isiah Pacheco, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Deneric Prince would mean cutting a spot from a different position. However, Steele's talent and production are too great to ignore.
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