Fixing the Chiefs:
Running Backs in the Running
Laddie Morse
As the Chiefs season began to wind down, it became clearer and clearer that the Runnin Back position was a position of need. With the future of Jamaal Charles uncertain, the decline of production by Charcandrick West and the limitations of starter Spencer Ware to carry the team… Running Back became job one for John Dorsey in the 2017 Draft in April.
Three Running Backs who may be on John Dorsey’s radar could be Alvin Kamara, James Conner and Dalvin Cook. Each of these RBs are underclassmen but, worthy of entering the draft early. Many believe that this draft is a good draft for Running Backs which is good news for a team like Kansas City in need of one or two good ones.
RB Alvin Kamara
Alvin Kamara has a stocky body, 5-foot-10 and 215. He’s out of Tennessee, is a patient runner willing to follow his blockers around the corners as well as up the middle. I like his short choppy steps behind the line of scrimmage and once he sees the hole he wants to attack puts a foot in the ground and is gone in one cut. He’s not a dancer which would work well in Andy Reid’s system as would his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. Kamara is also good in the return game, knows how to shed blockers and is willing to take on tacklers when necessary. It’s a personal preference here but when RBs run out of bounds to save on contact it a good thing for the longevity of the athlete’s career and Kamara also does this as well. CBS Sports ranks Kamara as the 91st best prospect in the draft and DraftTek has him ranked as a NEW prospect at #194 (which tells me they don’t know where to rank him yet).
Here’s a breakdown of Alvin Kamara by John Cooney who runs his own website called, “Pass2Win.” Make sure to visit his site for more excellent on prospects.
“Alvin Kamara, Tennessee
This is one RB I can’t wait to see at the Combine and Pro Day workouts. A transfer from ‘Bama, Kamara is an athletic, well-built (5’10-215) tailback with an explosive first step and really impressive vision. The Tennessee back doesn’t look like a tackle-breaker, but he is no easy take-down. He shows supreme balance, unexpected leg drive and a rapid accelerator. Kamara is at his best stretching a play while seeking the first open lane that pops, then decisively putting a foot down and exploding through the line. He is always looking to cut north; really impressive. Kamara may also be the draft’s best receiving back in 2017. He is as at home in an outside WR formation as he is in the backfield. Great hands, a well-studied route runner and a nightmare to tackle in the 2nd level. We got ourselves a winner here! At the Combine/Pro Days look for Kamara’s 10-yard split in the forty-dash; should be an eye-popper, even if his forty time doesn’t. “
Here’s some game tape. Below is a highlight reel on Alvin Kamara.
~ ~ ~
RB James Conner
James Conner is a big back out of Pittsburgh and goes 6-foot-2, 240. Conner is Marty Schottenheimer’s kind of running back because smash mouth is his game. He takes one cut — sometimes no cuts — and plows forward making LBs and DBs pay the price. While many may fall in love with his bruising style of play, every time I see him take on another player I’m reminded about the average lifespan of a running back in the NFL. Conner can catch the ball out of the backfield and while I think the Chiefs could use a bigger back to complement Spencer Ware, I’m not sure Conner is that guy. CBS Sports ranks James Conner as the 159th best overall prospect and DraftTek ranks him at 211.
Here’s a breakdown of James Conner by John Cooney. Go to “Pass2Win” to read some more excellent analysis on prospects.
“James Conner, Pittsburgh
Big back with good rushing chops. Conner has clearly trimmed down from the 240-pound bruiser he was in his early college days. The PITT RB now sports a lean 225+ frame and added burst in his step. Have to be honest, I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of wiggle and elusiveness Conner displayed in his game cut-ups of 2016. He’s not Shady McCoy shifty, but runs with enough lateral angling to avoid big hits and knife for those valuable added yards. Make no mistake Conner is a contact runner first and will deliver the blow more times than not. He’s not a burner, but his decisive north-bound tracks and deceptively quick acceleration appears to boost Conner’s game speed a notch faster than what he will probably clock at the Combine. Bonus tools provided by Conner are underrated receiving mitts and eager pass pro attitude. The eye test conjures up visions of LeVeon Bell in body type and rushing; Conner’s just not up to Bell’s pass-catching level.”
Here some game tape on James Conner. Below is a highlight reel.
~ ~ ~
RB Dalvin Cook
The last of the three running back we’re focusing on here is Dalvin Cook. Cook is out of Florida State, may be the best of all the RBs in this draft and may go as high as the top 10 so the Kansas City Chiefs likely have no chance of picking him. However, here John Cooney’s evaluation of Cook.
“Dalvin Cook, Florida State
Proto-type new-age RB build at 5’11-205, Cook brings a solid pro-back frame and speedy wheels to the 2017 draft. Coming out of Florida State and a pro-styled scheme, Cook is ready for NFL action in year 1. He runs low, sees the field well and gets to his top gear rapidly. Nifty jump-cutter and cut-backer. Equally comfy in single-back or I-formations, Cook reads his blocks well, is mostly patient behind his blockers and can create yards when a lane fails to appear. He’s not much on power, but is elusive and sudden. Cook impresses with his ability to pick and weave his way through [the] line of scrimmage trash moving laterally while still picking up positive yards. When he sees the opening, he puts a foot in the turf and goes. Cook brings true feature back tools and a high-effort attitude to a pro team. He’s a pretty god receiver to boot. Look for a 4.4-something 40 at the Combine as this early draft entry vies to be the first back off the board in April.” ~John Cooney, Pass2Winn.com
Draft Breakdown has 15 videos on Dalvin Cook. Go here to see them.
Below is highlight tape on Dalvin Cook. Enjoy… but don’t covet.