The Kansas City Chiefs have a serious problem on offense that has existed stretching back seasons — they simply can’t run the football.
For years, head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes have been able to supplement the rush attack with short, quick-hitting pass plays. But defenses have caught up to them, and the team’s inability to line up under center, post a threatening yards-per-carry average, force teams to respect the run and open up the pass game downfield via play action has withered due to a lack of certain personnel and a stale scheme in need of an update.
Field Yates of ESPN predicted in his first NFL mock draft of the season on Wednesday, Dec. 10, that Kansas City will address its greatest offensive deficiency by selecting Jeremiyah Love out of Notre Dame as the successor to current RB1 Isiah Pacheco.
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“The Chiefs’ running backs are averaging just 3.8 yards per carry this season. Is it likely that Love drops to No. 14 to fix that? I have my doubts, but most NFL teams are wary of using a first-round pick at running back when they could address needs at more premium positions,” Yates wrote.
Love put up nearly 1,400 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns during his junior season, and that’s just one element of his game.
“He’s an amazingly explosive, agile and balanced runner who effortlessly makes defenders miss (60 forced missed tackles this season on just 199 carries),” Yates continued. “The Heisman Trophy finalist is also a legitimate threat in the passing game, with 10.4 yards per catch and three receiving touchdowns this season.”
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