KC Chiefs: 53-man final roster prediction

Running Backs

Starter: Clyde Edwards-Helaire

Bench: Jerick McKinnon, Darrel Williams, Michael Burton (Fullback)

Practice Squad: Darwin Thompson

Cut: Derrick Gore, Elijah McGuire

While it might not be as much of a landslide as the quarterback position, I think Clyde Edwards-Helaire is a lock to be the feature back. That having been said, don’t underestimate the Jerrick McKinnon signing. I think he could bump Darrel Williams down the depth chart and be a regular contributor and Clyde’s primary backup. I do think the battle for the active roster and playing time behind Edwards-Helaire is where things are the most interesting.

While I have McKinnon as the primary backup, I certainly don’t think it’s out of the question that Darrel holds him off and any time in the past when K.C. fans have written Williams off, he’s almost always proved them wrong. The guy that might be running out of time is Darwin Thompson. I was a massive fan of Thompson when K.C. drafted him, but he just hasn’t been able to find a role in the offense. If Thompson can’t find a way to leap over Williams (or McKinnon) this year, he may not make the final cut. I’ve got him getting bumped to the practice squad, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Chiefs cut him and give him a shot to find a job with another team and give one of the other young backs a spot on the practice squad.

I also have Michael Burton making the squad as a true fullback and special teams contributor. I know some people think Noah Gray could fill the fullback role, but I just don’t see that on his tape. He’s a pass catcher, not a lead blocker. I hope I’m wrong about Thompson, I really do like him as a player, but I’m just not sure if his future is in K.C. Now let’s move on to the wide receivers.