Kansas City Chiefs: Early position impressions from training camp

The Running Backs

* Kareem Hunt did very little with the full team the two days I was there and nothing that involved any contact. The team says its just precautionary. The Chiefs have enough options at running back that I doubt we see much of Hunt in the preseason either. That doesn’t change the fact that he is the Chiefs number one back.

* Spencer Ware didn’t do any of the contact portions of practice but in the drills he did do he looked great. It didn’t appear to me that he’s been slowed by his injury at all. He looked strong and quick. When you add in his reworked contract I really feel strongly now that Ware will be the primary back up to Hunt this season. Much like Hunt, you may not see much of Ware in the preseason, but rest assured he looks like his old self.

* Charcandrick West was his regular self in camp as well, but that isn’t the same compliment that it is for Ware. Most of the time he didn’t really stand out. He did have a couple of drops that aren’t good for a guy wanting to be a third down back. On the other hand he did have one really nice run on Saturday. Before getting a concussion that has put him out of practice the past couple of days he was running ahead of all the Williams on the roster. However, unlike Hunt and Ware who may not play much in the preseason I absolutely do think West has reason to be worried when it comes to his role and even roster spot on this team if he misses much time.

* Damian Williams appears to be running ahead of all the other new running backs in terms of the reps he’s getting in practice. I didn’t get to see him run the ball much but he looks really good catching the ball out of the backfield (which was his reputation coming in). If the Chiefs aren’t using Hunt and Ware much in the preseason and West misses any more time with his concussion it could be Damian that benefits from it by getting extensive snaps with the first string offense. If you made me guess right now I think Damian will be the third running back this season and could even earn some playing time as a third down back.

* Kerwynn Williams didn’t do a lot to catch my eye in camp. I really think he’ll need to earn a key role on special teams in order to make this team.

* I liked the look of Darrel Williams on the limited snaps I watched him but based on the depth at the position and all the backs currently running ahead of him in practice I think he’ll need an amazing preseason to earn more than a practice squad spot this season.

Now let’s move on to the wide receivers and tight ends.