Earlier Matt Conner looked at the Kansas City Chiefs running back situation and took a guess as to what the Chiefs would do this year. He thinks the Chiefs draft a running back fairly high, on day two or early day three, of the 2017 NFL Draft. I can see that happening, especially if Florida State’s Dalvin Cook is still on the board. He’s one of the top running backs available in the draft but since teams don’t value backs the way they once did some have wondered if Cook could be available with the 27th pick. It seems unlikely but, hey, it’s possible. We have months before the draft. This mock draft from NFL.com’s Lance Zierlien has Cook falling to 27.
“Cook is a really talented football player, but he could drop a little because running back just isn't a priority position like it used to be,” Zierlien wrote. “Cook is eerily similar in playing style to Jamaal Charles.”
I heard the Jamaal Charles comparison over a year ago. In fact, I just googled “Dalvin Cook and Jamaal Charles” and this quote on NFL.com popped up:
"Dalvin Cook reminds me of Jamaal Charles. He doesn't quite have the same top speed but he is a very natural runner and can really catch the ball." -- NFL general manager
If it’s a player that the Chiefs believe in, I can see them taking a back as early as the first. Look at how big of a part Jamaal Charles was in this offense the first couple of years. Look at Brian Westbrook and LeSean McCoy in Philly under Andy Reid. It’s not a must- position like quarterback or (for Andy Reid) cornerback, but it sure would be nice to have a dynamic player back there.
That’s nothing against Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West. They’re fine players and the Chiefs have proven they can win with them. But Cook, if he’s what they say he is, can help take the Chiefs offense to the next level. I’m initially hesitant to invest more in the offense because the pieces seem to be there save the quarterback (cue the comments section meltdown) but remember there wasn’t much of a consistent running game this year and the quarterback struggled.
Whether it’s Alex after 2017 or someone else, having a good running game will help the future quarterback. I can buy this pick ... if he’s there, which he probably won’t be.