Does James Conner make sense as a late round addition for the Kansas City Chiefs? Maybe not at running back, but he could replace Anthony Sherman.
It’s a story already familiar to Kansas City Chiefs fans. Watching Eric Berry face and overcome the Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis he received late in 2014 has been one of greatest stories in team history, which is why everyone wants to see him end his career in Kansas City. Interestingly enough, the same overcomer type of story could be applied to another potential Chief in Pittsburgh running back James Conner.
Pitt RB James Conner, who missed most of 2015 with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, received a clean scan today, a week prior to combine, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 23, 2017
Conner’s inspirational return to the field last season wasn’t the only aspect to celebrate. He continued an NFL-hopeful career with 1,394 yards from scrimmage, including 216 rushes for 1,092 yards, a healthy 5.1 yards/carry. Even better, he scored 20 touchdowns both on the ground (16) and through the air (4), showing off an ability to catch the ball out of the backfield for the first time in his college career.
That sort of versatility, even if his hands aren’t the best in the world, will help him because the NFL has certainly shifted away from the days when power backs ruled the turf. Trends come and go, so it doesn’t mean there’s no place for Conner in the NFL, but he’s a rare breed these days as a heavy back (235 lbs. unofficially).
The immediate need at running back for the Chiefs is not in Conner’s style, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a place on the roster. The Chiefs already have a dependable bigger back in house with Spencer Ware, although Conner certainly plays bigger than Ware, and the Chiefs are likely to look for some elite athleticism and vision to add to the position. That’s not Conner’s game.
Anthony Sherman’s one-year cap hit equals what James Conner would likely earn for his entire 4-year deal as a late round rookie.
But the Chiefs are also entering the last year of Anthony Sherman’s contract, one that’s not expensive with a $2.3 million cap hit, but it’s one that can be reduced. For a cash strapped team, a couple million can make a difference and owning Conner for a combined RB/FB role would provide a cost-effective asset for the offense and special teams. Sherman’s one-year cap hit equals what James Conner would likely earn for his entire 4-year deal as a late round rookie.
Conner will be one athlete to watch in particular at the NFL Combine as teams try to assess his athleticism at the next level. In a loaded running back class, Conner faces long odds in the eyes of some, but he’s faced far bigger horrors in the last few years only to come out victorious on the other side. Here’s hoping he finds a home in the NFL, maybe even one at Arrowhead.