C.J. Anderson and other free agent running backs Chiefs could consider

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KANSAS CITY, MO – DECEMBER 30: Doug Martin #28 of the Oakland Raider pitches the ball on a reverse while in the grasp of Xavier Williams #98 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter of the game at Arrowhead Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) /

Doug Martin, Free Agent

Chiefs fans surely remember former Oakland Raider running back Doug Martin, who spent the 2018 season in the AFC West. While there, Martin amassed 723 yards on 172 carries and scored 4 touchdowns while starting 9 games for the Raiders.

In a career that has spanned six seasons, the first five of which were with Tampa Bay, Martin has totaled over 5,000 yards on the ground and added another 1,200+ through the air. He has twice been selected to the Pro Bowl and, in 2015, was named a 1st Team All Pro.

While no one will confuse the 30-year-old Martin with the All-Pro back of years gone past, he does offer a veteran presence for Kansas City in much the same vein that LeSean McCoy has much of this season. He’s not as good of a back as McCoy. He has worse route-running ability and is a less natural, instinctive runner. But Martin would provide an adequate stopgap should the Chiefs running back need some time to get healthy.

A benefit of bringing in the former 1st round draft pick at this stage in the game, for this team, is that he’s healthy, rested, and would not be asked to be a workhorse. He likely wouldn’t be asked to play more than the next four or five weeks as both McCoy and Williams (at least as of this writing) do not appear heading towards season-ending statuses.

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