Kerwynn Williams gives Kansas City Chiefs another return option
By Matt Conner
The Kansas City Chiefs added yet another running back to their stable with the reported signing of former Arizona Cardinals RB Kerwynn Williams.
On the surface, the move might be a head-scratcher.
The Kansas City Chiefs reportedly signed Kerwynn Williams on Sunday, a move that adds another running back to a very crowded spot on the depth chart. Williams visited the Chiefs within the last week and questions arose then about potential fit and interest.
On paper, adding another running back just looks like a meaningless signing at a position at which the Chiefs already have plenty of options. No one is even going to attempt to supplant Kareem Hunt atop the running back depth chart since he’s the NFL’s leading returning rusher after a stellar rookie season. Spencer Ware is typically considered No. 2 behind Hunt given that he was the starter before getting injured last season.
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That leaves Charcandrick West as the returning No. 3 back and Akeem Hunt who was No. 4 and a kick returner for the Chiefs last year. Brett Veach, the team’s general manager, already added Damien Williams from the Miami Dolphins this offseason, whose skill set matches the needs of a third down back, a la West, and should provide the primary competition there.
So what about Kerwynn Williams? Williams is another return option for the Chiefs and not so much a running back, someone who can fit with Hunt in training camp to compete for that special teams role as a potential returner with wide receivers Tyreek Hill (punts) and De’Anthony Thomas (kicks).
Note that Akeem Hunt only had 8 carries last year, so calling Kerwynn Williams a signing at running back is a bit misleading. Instead, Hunt returned 25 kicks for 611 return yards, good for a 24.8 yards/return average. Williams returned 16 kicks and 21 punts last year for Arizona, which means that Williams’ addition gives the Chiefs some versatility for Dave Toub’s unit.
If released, Akeem Hunt would give the Chiefs just over $700K of cap space without any dead money to worry about.