The Chiefs running back room is filled with valuable players. Which player will take the starting role and who will take a backseat?
Clyde Edwards-Helaire has been the starting running back since being drafted in the first round in 2020. Edwards-Helaire has been a perfect fit with Mahomes while healthy. He is a very versatile back because of his ability to make plays both running and receiving. Edwards-Helaire proved his talent early on by rushing for 803 yards and 297 receiving yards in his rookie campaign. He missed three games due to injury in the 2020 season and this became more of a pattern as he missed eight total games in 2021.
His talent has never been questioned. But with recent issues with staying on the field will Edwards-Helaire take a backseat this year? With the addition on Ronald Jones and the return of Jerick McKinnon, Edwards-Helaire isn’t set at being a three down back. With injury concerns Edwards-Helaire will most likely be set at being the starting two down back, then being replaced for third down in certain situations.
Image courtesy of CBS Sports
The newly acquired Ronald Jones II has had a solid career thus far in Tampa Bay. His best year coming in 2020 where he totaled 978 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns. He had the opportunity to earn the starting role over Leonard Fournette in 2021 but failed to produce as he did in the year prior.
With the addition of Jones to the Chiefs’ running back room, can Jones compete for the starting role? The answer is most likely no. Kansas City is completely committed to Edwards-Helaire and the addition of Jones is a fail safe for Edwards-Helaire’s health. Jones will also bring much-needed power and depth to the position. With Jones, Kansas City will have a more reliable option for goal line and third and short. Jones will make this offense even more dangerous.
It was a surprise to most when Jerick McKinnon and the Chiefs announced his return this offseason. The move was announced in June where McKinnon signed a one-year-deal. McKinnon rarely saw the field last season where he only ran the ball 12 times in 13 games. The move was mostly surprising due to the lack of snaps he saw in last years offense and the addition of Ronald Jones.
This one-year deal mostly provides depth for the position. McKinnon will see select spots mostly for receiving oppurtunities as that might be his greatest strength. This also shows that Kansas City wants security in case of another injury to Edwards-Helaire. McKinnon will be the third running back on the depth chart and will see minimal time on the field.
Edwards-Helaire and Jones will be the workhorses in this offense. Edwards-Helaire will be the main running back while healthy. The Chiefs have done a great job in creating depth at the position to obtain security in case of an injury. This group of three are very versatile and dangerous in terms of their different skill sets that they can bring to this offense. It’s safe to say the Chiefs running backs will be a strength in the offense this year.
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