Kansas City Chiefs Full Breakdown and Depth-Chart Analysis at Running Back

The Kansas City Chiefs have plenty of potential at the running back spot with a number of scatbacks. Seeing how head coach Andy Reid uses halfbacks, the Chiefs may have a stacked backfield this year and possibly the best group of tailbacks in the league if each player reaches his ceiling.

In 2013, the team relied on Jamaal Charles due to the lack of help for quarterback Alex Smith. This led to Charles leading the team in catches, receiving yards and touchdown grabs in 2013. With few contributors on offense in 2014, Charles surprisingly saw significantly fewer touches, 83 to be exact. Yet he managed to still co-lead the team in touchdown receptions with five and was third in catches and receiving yards.

Coming up in 2015, Charles should have similar numbers to 2014 in terms of total touches (246). At the same time, Kansas City has an improved offense, so he won’t be the lone leader.

The addition of former Missouri Tiger wideout Jeremy Maclin will free up tight end Travis Kelce, forcing defenders to pick their poison between Maclin and Kelce.

Kelce led the Chiefs in every key receiving category last year, when the wide receivers did few favors to help the offense.

In 2015, fans can expect a more balanced offense but will still witness the running backs do a lot of damage.

Starter: Jamaal Charles

Ed Zurga/Associated Press

Running backs are known to have a hot run but only for a limited period of time. However, Charles has not shown any signs of regressing. He has averaged 5.0 yards per carry or higher every season. Excluding 2008 (his rookie year when he did not get much action) and 2011 (when he suffered a torn ACL early in the season), he has surpassed the 1,000-yard mark every year and is already the franchise leader in rushing.

As great as he is, even the best running backs need help. Charles, who turns 29 late this season, has a reason to be excited about the talent around him.

Backups Knile Davis and De’Anthony Thomas both have at least one year of experience under their belt now; in addition, Kansas City improved its offensive line by acquiring Ben Grubbs and drafting Mitch Morse.

For Charles, he must nullify his fumbles, as he has let the ball slip 13 times in the past three seasons, losing seven of them to opposing defenses.

In two seasons under Reid’s guidance, Charles has played his best football. In 2013, he rushed for 1,287 yards and ran to the end zone 12 times while pulling in 70 passes for 693 yards and seven touchdowns. He saw 30 fewer catches in 2014, coming away with 40 for 291 yards and five touchdowns and running for 1,033 yards and nine scores.

Charles should have similar numbers to 2014 with slightly better rushing statistics. With a talented group of running backs behind him, he will split more time with them, which will keep his body fresh throughout the season.

Backup: Knile Davis

Charlie Riedel/Associated Press

Knile Davis has become an important part of the offense and has seen a lot of playing time in his first two years. When Charles suffered an ankle injury early in a game in Week 2 and had to miss a game in Week 3, Davis got a chance to shine and did not disappoint. When Charles came back in Week 4, the team eased him back while Davis still got lots of touches.

In a three-week span, Davis ran for 318 yards and three touchdowns. But that was as good as it got for him, as he concluded his 2014 season with a per-carry average of 3.5 yards, the exact same average he had in his rookie season.

Going into his third year, the team expects a lot more from Davis, who has showcased his breakaway speed on kickoff returns and on a 70-yard touchdown catch-and-run last season against Oakland.

The Chiefs can’t allow Charles to suffer any injuries and must keep Davis (and Thomas) active in the rotation. Davis must step up when his number is called and help keep the offense rolling while filling in for Charles.

Backup: De'Anthony Thomas

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

How Reid plans to use Thomas in 2015 will be something to keep an eye on, as Thomas saw time as a running back and receiver on offense last year. He carried the ball 14 times for 113 yards, averaging 8.1 yards per carry and moving the chains four times for the Chiefs. Thomas was active in the passing game, coming away with 23 grabs for 156 yards.

Now, his training wheels are off, and he will see a lot more playing time.

Chiefs fans were excited for Thomas when they learned about his breakaway speed. In his first preseason game, he ran 80 yards on a punt return and did it again in the regular season.

Like Davis, Thomas has excelled on special teams, but he needs to do more on offense to help the team move the chains and get closer to the end zone.

Given his activity as a receiver, it is uncertain how much time he will split between serving as a rusher and receiver. But fans can still expect him to have some sort of activity coming out of the backfield.

Backup: Cyrus Gray

Ed Zurga/Associated Press

In Cyrus Gray’s three years, he has not seen much action in the regular season, but his performances in the preseason have allowed him to earn a roster spot.

In 2012, he played in only one preseason game, but it was enough for then-coach Romeo Crennel to give him a spot, as he ran 15 times for 65 yards and a touchdown.

In 2013, Gray played in all four preseason games, finishing with 23 carries for 95 yards as he ran for 72 yards in the preseason finale.

Last year, he had a better preseason, going for 161 yards off 30 carries and scoring a touchdown.

His first career regular-season touchdown came in Week 3 when the Chiefs used every running back on the roster in a game where Charles was absent due to an ankle injury.

While Gray has had a lot of success against second-, third- and fourth-stringers in the preseason, he will eventually have to earn his keep against better competitors. For now, he has done enough to crack a roster spot every year and could be the fourth running back again for the Chiefs.

If the Chiefs have plans for Thomas to handle more receiving duties than rushing responsibilities, Gray might see more time on the field.

Final RB Roster Spot: Charcandrick West and Keshawn Hill

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After transferring to Abilene Christian from Louisiana Tech, Charcandrick West converted to running back after playing cornerback. He grew as a running back, seeing better numbers each season in college, but never enough for him to get drafted.

West joined the Chiefs last year and has another shot at the roster this year.

For rookie Keshawn Hill, he continues to learn the playbook and will compete against West for the last running back spot on the active roster or be part of the practice squad.

Both running backs are developing and will see more action in the preseason but possibly little to none in the regular season.

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