Who will be the Kansas City Chiefs back up running backs?

Charcandrick West

Charcandrick West is an easy guy to cheer for. As an undrafted free agent from Abilene Christian, he earned a spot on the Chiefs and became a role player off the bench over the past three seasons. West has a great personality and is rarely seen without a big infectious smile on his face. I really, really like Charcandrick West. However, I think his days as a Chief are likely numbered.

While West was received playing time over the past three seasons, his role as an actual rusher has decreased the longer he’s been with the team. West had 160 carries in 2015 after Jamaal Charles went down. Then in 2016 as Ware’s back up he had 88 carries. Last season, despite being the primary back up to a rookie after Ware went down, West only had 18 carries. The Chiefs just don’t appear to have a lot of faith in West running the football. His 3.8 yards per carry in Kansas City probably show that this may be understandable.

There are many running backs that are on NFL rosters simply for their ability to be a pass catching third down back. That has been West’s primary role the last few seasons. Since 2015, West has totaled 75 receptions for 552 yards and five touchdowns. So West’s best chance of keeping his roster spot is to try and establish himself as the Chiefs best pass catching third down back.

Unfortunately for West, I don’t see that happening. Why? Primarily because of the next running back that we’ll discuss, but also working against him is the fact that the Chiefs could save $1.7 million by cutting West. It appears to me that is what is most likely going to happen because of the signing of this next back.