The 9 most overlooked Kansas City Chiefs players

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 14: Robert Golden
PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 14: Robert Golden /
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KANSAS CITY, MO – JANUARY 06: Running back Charcandrick West
KANSAS CITY, MO – JANUARY 06: Running back Charcandrick West /

Charcandrick West, running back

When the Chiefs brought in three new players to compete for reps at running back (all surnamed Williams, by the way), it was easy to read between the lines and wish Charcandrick West a fond farewell. As the team’s third down back last season, West was now facing competition from a player known for thriving in that role in Damien Williams plus a new returner/rusher in Kerwynn Williams and a promising undrafted free agent in Darrel Williams. Combined with the presence of Spencer Ware coming back from injury and, of course, the league’s leading rusher in Kareem Hunt and you have a very, very crowded backfield.

But West has already overcome significant odds as a former undrafted free agent heading into his fifth straight season in the NFL. He’s never made the stat sheet sing, but he is a competent blocker with nice hands out of the backfield. He also knows the playbook inside and out at this stage and can be a trusted outlet for the Chiefs.

Many fans have already run him out of town simply by assuming Damien Williams will win this position battle, but it’s never been smart to bet against West in the past and that could prove true again heading into the 2018 season.