Carson Steele can do what others can't among Chiefs running backs

The Chiefs have to like the varied skill set that Carson Steele brings to the backfield.

The Kansas City Chiefs opened up the preseason schedule on Saturday evening against the Jacksonville Jaguars. While many players stood out for various reasons, there was one offensive player that excited Chiefs fans in particular.

Rookie undrafted free agent running back Carson Steele dazzled with a few of his runs against the Jaguars' defense. Most of all, he plowed through a couple of tackle attempts with ease and punched in a touchdown down in the low red zone.

While Kansas City has him currently listed as a fullback on the depth chart, Steele has looked the part in training camp. He backed that up and more in the first preseason showing—so much so, that Steele should arguably be considered the favorite for the Chiefs' RB3 spot.

One of the spots worth monitoring in position battles, there is not much to bank on behind Isiah Pacheco and Clyde Edwards-Helaire. But because of his play style, Steele brings a unique element that could be counted on as a depth piece in the KC backfield.

Steele as steamroller

If you watched some of Carson Steele's tape from his college days at Ball State and UCLA, you were not surprised to see him break tackles in the preseason game. Steele will gain additional yards and keep plays alive by running through a defender's chest. And sometimes, he makes it look so effortless.

The Chiefs can wear opponents down through the running game, as they showed last season. Just imagine having to tackle Steele in tight games or in short-yardage situations after having to deal with the punch Pacheco brings to the table.

While Kansas City has improved slightly in short-yardage situations, Steele could be a weapon in those areas. Especially on the opponent's side of the 50, the Chiefs have to find more consistency in short-yardage run attempts. They are not going to sneak it with Patrick Mahomes. And as someone who can churn upfield forcefully out of various spots in the backfield, Carson Steele could have an upper hand in the running back mix.

How Carson Steele stood out at UCLA

Carson Steele's skill set is truly unique compared to other running backs in today's NFL. Overall, his long speed is not going to win many foot races at the NFL level. That said, Steele showed in college, in training camp, and in the preseason opener that he can gain immediate quickness after receiving the rock, though. He has short yet violent strides that allow him to convert that into more momentum. As a result, he can run through tackle attempts and he noticeably continues to charge up the field.

By doing that, coaches should love Steele's lack of wasted movements. In Kansas City, recent running backs have offered some patience and pause to attempt cutbacks. Carson Steele is truly just a full-steam-ahead type of runner. Unless the offensive line completely blows their assignments, Steele is generally going to eat up at least a few yards vertically by always falling forward.

When looking at his specific skill set in comparison to the rest of the roster battle for RB3, Steele can instill a bit more physicality and toughness that the Chiefs leaned on last year. Even if he does not get a boatload of touches, Kansas City could force defenses to have to worry about his power as a threat out of the backfield. Due to that distinctive side of Steele's game, his odds of making the Chiefs' roster are increasing, due to the reps he is putting out there in training camp and the preseason.

Looking at Carson Steele's competition

It is difficult to match the energy and toughness that Pacheco brings as a runner. Steele can put a sudden jolt into the offense in a bit of a different way. But in the remaining battle for the RB3 job, there just appears to be little punch and less sizzle from the remaining options.

A fellow rookie undrafted free agent, Emani Bailey, has rarely popped or been talked about during training camp so far. The results from Keaontay Ingram have yet to jump off of the page, so to speak. And of course, Louis Rees-Zammit is still trying to learn as much as possible inside of a new sport in a short amount of time.

The real battle for RB3 is likely between Carson Steele and Deneric Prince. Prince was in the same boat last year as Steele is now, coming in as a rookie free agent. In Saturday's preseason game, Prince had a couple of decent carries. However, there were also some gaffes by him on special teams in the return game.

If Steele can continue to take some momentum into the rest of the preseason, there may not be much competition for him to beat out as possibly the RB3. With his versatility, power and sneaky straight-line burst in the open field, the rookie UDFA could carve out a spot in this offensive depth chart.