Chiefs running backs: 2016 stat projections

Oct 4, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (25) carries the ball in the first half against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (25) carries the ball in the first half against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 9, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Spencer Ware (32) scores a touchdown against the Houston Texans in the fourth quarter in a AFC Wild Card playoff football game at NRG Stadium. Kansas City won 30-0. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Spencer Ware (32) scores a touchdown against the Houston Texans in the fourth quarter in a AFC Wild Card playoff football game at NRG Stadium. Kansas City won 30-0. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

As you can see from my projections for the KC rushing offense for the ’16 NFL season, Alex Smith and KC’s offense should once again get solid production from star back Charles, assuming that he can stay relatively healthy from now until the end of the year. West and Ware will continue to get work as part of the newly formed three-headed monster that Kansas City will showcase in their backfield in 2016.

With three different backs possessing various running styles for opposing NFL defenses to account for, this will only help QB Alex Smith and the Chiefs offense this season. This might cause defenses to stack the box more in order to help contain KC’s ground game. If that’s the case, Smith will need to take advantage of this and get the ball to his play-makers in the passing game – Jeremy Maclin, Travis Kelce and Albert Wilson.

Having Charles back alone should not only be a huge emotional lift for this offense, but should also improve the level of play from the offensive line in the running game almost automatically because they know that they will be blocking for a proven back in this league who is not only a threat as a runner, but also as a receiver as well. It would not surprise me at all to see this KC rushing attack finish in the top five in many of the major rushing categories when the upcoming regular season is complete.