Kansas City Chiefs stock report: Rookies shine against Bengals
Stock Up: Darwin Thompson
I’ve been a HUGE Darwin Thompson fan since I put him on my crush list leading up to the NFL draft. Needless to say, I was thrilled when the Chiefs drafted Thompson and he was definitely one of the players I was most excited to see in his first ever NFL game.
While I always believed that Thompson would eventually earn his way onto the field as a weapon in Reid’s offense, with Damien Williams, Carlos Hyde, and Darrel Williams all competing for snaps too, I wasn’t sure if he’d see the field much as a rookie as he was learning the offense. However, after his play on Saturday, it sure seems like he’s ready to contribute already.
Thompson, or “Lil Swole” as I heard Tyreek Hill and Demarcus Robinson call him at camp, has the rare mixture of the speed and agility of other smaller backs but with the power and contact balance to fight for tough yards. That was fully on display against the Bengals. He showed his ability to be a weapon in the passing game as well.
I always believed in Thompson but I wasn’t sure what his role would be as a rookie. If he can keep producing like he did in his first game the Chiefs will have no choice but to get him involved early and often this season.
Stock Down: Carlos Hyde
Maybe it isn’t fair to put Carlos Hyde in the stock down category after a game where he only had two carries and one of those was a touchdown run. Hyde’s touchdown was fine, but it was a well-designed play that was well-blocked and I’m confident that any running back on the roster could have punched it in. Hyde’s other run was an uninspiring play for no gain. Both in camp and in this first game, Hyde just doesn’t look explosive or overly powerful. He just looks like a guy.
Look, if the Chiefs had to use Hyde as their primary back at some point this season it would be fine. Damien Williams definitely looked better last year when he was healthy. Thompson as we just discussed looks like he’s ready to contribute already. Even Darrel Williams looks like he might have more upside.
If Damien Williams is healthy for the next preseason game and is back with the starters, Carlos Hyde needs to show something to prove there is a reason to keep him around over younger and cheaper backs that look like they have far more left in the tank.