What does the depth chart look like for the Chiefs at running back?
What a difference a year makes.
The Kansas City Chiefs entered last season with a committee approach to the offensive backfield, headed by the veteran tandem of LeSean McCoy and Damien Williams. One year later, the team has invested a first-round pick to upend all expectations at the position. The depth chart at running back is now ruled by one man: Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
Looking back, it’s somewhat amazing to see how to heavens have proverbially parted over Edwards-Helaire in order to gift him the single most exciting starting spot in the NFL for a running back.
First, the Chiefs used the most precious of assets—a first round selection in the draft—and used it on Edwards-Helaire. Note that the Chiefs hadn’t had a single first-round choice in the previous two drafts, thanks to trades for Patrick Mahomes and Frank Clark. Then they used that draft pick on a position where talent can typically be found in later rounds.
From there, the Chiefs allowed McCoy to leave in free agency and didn’t add any real competition in the form of free agency. DeAndre Washington was signed to compete for a scatback role, but the path remained clear for someone on top of the depth chart.
Finally, the only real competition for starter reps came from incumbent starter Damien Williams, whose postseason heroics have earned him considerable respect from teammates and coaches. Unfortunately, the tragic late-state cancer diagnosis received by Williams’ mother turned this year into a situation he wanted to sit out to spend more time at home. Once again, a way was made for Edwards-Helaire.
Beyond the LSU star, however, it’s difficult to discern just how the depth chart is going to play out for the upcoming season. Will the Chiefs keep three backs or four, including fullback Anthony Sherman? Is there an upset in the making? Let’s take a closer look at all the candidates and their chances to make the Chiefs.
Elijah McGuire
Over three years ago, Elijah McGuire was an college prospect out of Louisiana-Lafayette hoping for a chance to turn heads during the pre-draft process in order to fulfill his dreams of playing professional football. It was in that season that the Chiefs first displayed some level of interest with a formal interview, although McGuire would end up being selected by the New York Jets in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
McGuire would last a total of two years in New York with middling production to show for his reps as a rusher, a receiver, and a returner. Whether that was due to the Jets being a poorly coached team or McGuire’s inability to make an impact is anyone’s guess, but the Kansas City Chiefs at least see something in McGuire’s game that makes them want to keep him around to compete for an active roster spot.
In New York, the sample sizes for McGuire were fairly small, especially as a kick and punt returner, but nothing really stands out. He had 180 rushes for 591 yards and 4 touchdowns with the Jets, good for a 3.3 yards/carry average. He also caught only 36 of 57 targets, giving him a less-than-impressive catch rate for a running back of 63 percent.
McGuire’s likely role here, if any, for the Chiefs would be as a third-down back, the same position sought by others on this list. (Read on.) Given his inability to make an impact as a rushing threat as well, it likely makes him a bit one-dimensional despite his solid hands and route-running.
Odds to make the team: Poor
Darwin Thompson
Speaking of former sixth round picks hoping to make the Chiefs as a running back, the team has their own McGuire, so to speak, in Darwin Thompson.
Unlike McGuire who was very productive over three years at ULL (42 touchdowns), Thompson is a one-year wonder out of Utah State who showed enough promise and punch to draw Brett Veach’s attention. In that single season, he had 14 rushing touchdowns only 153 attempts with a total of 1,044 yards on the ground.
Thompson looked solid in the Chiefs preseason last year as a potentially productive back, but the Chiefs coaches were also clear that the details were lost on him. Pass protection was an issue. His lack of playing experience, especially at a higher level, was coming into focus. Like many rookies, Thompson simply needed more time to develop.
During his rookie year, the Chiefs rarely called on Thompson to move the chains, even when they’d rung up a considerable lead. He had 37 total carries on the year for 128 yards and 1 touchdown. He also caught 9 of 10 targets. However, it’s important to note that Thompson only had 5 of those carries before the month of December. In other words, the Chiefs coaches clearly trusted him more after the bye week.
If Thompson was able to the trust of his coaches by applying himself during the season, then he could be in really great shape to not only make this team but step in for more reps. The player himself has been vocal about taking a leap in his second season and the Chiefs would certainly love to see the same.
Odds to make the team: Good
DeAndre Washington
When the Chiefs first signed DeAndre Washington to a one-year deal, it was an interesting signing because it felt like the running back room was already devoid of any clear winner atop the depth chart. Given another solid pass-catching back, it looked like the Chiefs were willing to roll with another year of a committee approach, perhaps allowing Washington to replace McCoy in the preseason competition.
Then came the selection of Edwards-Helaire which disoriented the whole room and made it clear the Chiefs were going to say goodbye to some talented names come September.
Now that Damien Williams has opted out, the running back room is a bit more open, but that doesn’t mean that Washington and company are safe. At least one back will be waived at the active roster deadline, and perhaps more, but it bodes well for Washington to be more well-rounded than most observers likely realize—those who call him a scatback and nothing more.
Washington has spent the last four seasons with the Oakland (now Las Vegas) Raiders, serving as a backup to guys like Marshawn Lynch and Josh Jacobs. In his earliest seasons, Washington was primarily a third down back, but just last season, he edged out Jalen Richard for reps as a primary rusher when Jacobs went down. He finished the year with 108 attempts for 307 rushing yards and 3 scores. He also caught 36 passes for 292 yards.
It doesn’t hurt that Washington was a college teammate of Patrick Mahomes at Texas Tech, but Washington’s talent is more than enough to merit a spot on the Chiefs roster. He’s a dependable back who is a threat to run as well as catch the ball so it shouldn’t surprise anyone to see him nab one of the final positions on the depth chart.
Odds to make the team: Excellent
Darrel Williams
Another player with a helpful relationship on the roster is Darrel Williams, a mentor of sorts at LSU to Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who is now competing with him for a roster spot with the Chiefs.
Williams has always been a longshot to make the Chiefs in any given season since they first signed him to a contract as a rookie free agent back in 2018. However with each passing preseason, Williams is able to prove his worth to the Chiefs coaching staff.
Last year, Williams earned more playing time than ever with the Chiefs in 12 games as he put up 41 rushes for 141 yards and 3 touchdowns. Unfortunately, Williams ended up on injured reserve after going down with a hamstring issue in a late season game against the Oakland Raiders.
While Williams deserves credit for overcoming long odds and making such a deep team over the last two years, the reality is that he faces more questions than ever to do so again. Are there any lingering health concerns from the injury? How much should his relationship with CEH come into play? Are other young players developing more than Williams, or is he growing at a greater rate?
These questions can only be answered internally which makes this a tough call.
Odds to make the team: Good