4 running backs the Kansas City Chiefs should target in free agency

Darrel Williams #31 of the Kansas City Chiefs (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Darrel Williams #31 of the Kansas City Chiefs (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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Kansas City Chiefs
Marlon Mack (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Marlon Mack

Marlon Mack has been loosely tied to the Chiefs dating back to the 2021 trade deadline, and it remains a viable possibility that he dons the red and gold at some point.

Mack was a fourth-round selection by the Indianapolis Colts in 2017 and became an impact player in years two and three of his career. Between the 2018 and 2019 seasons, he rushed for 1,999 yards and 17 touchdowns. He became a household name over that stretch, but then his durability came into question.

He’s had semi-regular hamstring issues, he broke his hand and missed two games in 2019, and ruptured his Achilles in 2020. Since the most significant of his injuries — the Achilles — he has barely returned to the field, only playing in seven games and receiving 32 touches out of the backfield.

With the frustration of Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s injury proneness, Mack may not seem abundantly appealing. However, the expectation is that 2022 will be a return to full speed, and if the 2019 version of Marlon Mack were available to the Chiefs, he would be welcomed with open arms.

It has been four years since the last 1,000-yard rushing performance in Kansas City (Kareem Hunt, 2017), and reintroducing such an effort to this offense would be monumental.