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Will a true top running back emerge for KC Chiefs after the bye?

By Lyle Graversen

TAMPA, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 02: Isiah Pacheco #10 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs with the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium on October 02, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 02: Isiah Pacheco #10 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs with the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium on October 02, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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Jerick McKinnon #1 of the Kansas City Chiefs   (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Jerick McKinnon #1 of the Kansas City Chiefs   (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Jerick McKinnon

Jerick McKinnon had a very slight lead in total snaps over Clyde Edwards-Helaire, but that appears to have more to do with his pass protection than what the Chiefs think he can do with the ball in his hands. Despite having a 2 snap edge over CEH in snaps, Clyde has out-touched McKinnon on offense 81 to 52. In fact, despite playing 126 more snaps, he’s only out-touched Isisah Pacheco 52 to 41.

McKinnon has 29 carries for 119 yards for 4.1 yards per carry and no touchdowns. He also has 13 receptions for 116 yards and one touchdown. He’s only getting an offensive touch on 26% of the snaps that he plays. That’s significantly lower than both CEH and Pacheco who are each just over 40 percent.

So does McKinnon deserve to be getting all those snaps if the Chiefs don’t appear to be committed to getting him the ball? According to Pro Football Focus, McKinnon has 26 pass protection snaps which are double what Clyde has (Pacheco only has 3 pass protection snaps). In an offense that is built around Patrick Mahomes and the passing attack, trusting a back in pass protection is key and the Chiefs have clearly trusted McKinnon the most of all their backs.

PFF currently has McKinnon with a very poor 25.0 pass-blocking grade. I don’t put a huge amount of stock in PFF grades, but I did think it was worth noting. McKinnon has definitely proven himself to be a very willing blocker and has made some nice pickups in his time in KC, but that grade would indicate that he hasn’t been perfect. The question is if there’s a better option. We’ll talk about the other two backs’ potential in the passing game in a moment.

McKinnon has both the fewest carries and lowest yards per carry on the roster when it comes to running the ball. He’s also the most slight in stature and has an extensive injury history. Of KC’s three backs he probably makes the least sense to be their primary ball carrier in the rushing attack so the question is if he should keep such a large role in the passing game.

Before we answer that last question we need to take a closer look at the other two backs.

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