Evaluating the KC Chiefs running backs heading into 2022

Regular Season Results

After reviewing the preseason material, 2021 felt even more disappointing.

The stat lines make the Chiefs running game look average, but the team looked below average during the season. There were only seven 1,000-yard rushers this season, but Williams led all Chiefs with 558 rushing yards in 2021. Edwards-Helaire was not far behind, with 517 rushing yards on the season. Together, they make that elusive 1,000-yard season, but bot rank outside the top 40 running backs for rushing yards. Edwards-Helaire was 46th in the league, hardly something you want out of a first-round pick.

Gore’s 51 carries had little impact, but his 5 years per attempt was encouraging. The only running back better was McKinnon with 5.2 yards per attempt. He appeared in 13 games, but only logged 12 carries in 2021. Gore and McKinnon had the expected seasons for a team’s RB3 and RB4, while Edwards-Helaire and Williams fell short. Willimas had six touchdowns on the ground, while the team recorded 16 rushing touchdowns all season. The Chiefs’ overall rushing yards and touchdowns ranked 14th and 16th leaguewide, respectively. Ground production was not terrible, but still had much room for improvement.

Now, this evaluation would be remiss without looking at the running backs’ receiving production.

Williams was statistically one of the league’s best receiving backs in 2021. He ranked in the top five for receiving yards, yards per target, and yards per reception. He and New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara were the only running backs with more than 45 receptions and no fumbles while receiving. All in all, Williams’ receiving performance was underrated, by both Chiefs fans and analysts.

Edwards-Helaire was hardly inspiring or involved in the passing game, only logging 19 receptions all season. He did have two receiving touchdowns, but that was one of the only positives. McKinnon had a similar impact, with 13 receptions for 107 yards and one touchdown.

Gore and fullback Michael Burton led the Chiefs with 11.3 and 12 yards per reception respectfully, but both had less than 10 targets. Williams was the premiere receiving back for Kansas City, contrary to Edwards-Helaire billing as such.