Running back is a position battle that is always fascinating around NFL training camps. No matter what team you are referencing, anticipation around that spot on the offense builds significantly. For the Kansas City Chiefs, fans were clinging to the hope of a key investment or two at running back this offseason. Kansas City opted to go with smaller-scale transactions to add to the position this year, however.
Elijah Mitchell was one of the first free agents that the Chiefs added this offseason. On a cheap one-year deal, K.C. maintains a fairly thin amount of spending at that spot on the roster. Kareem Hunt also re-signed for one year this offseason. Isiah Pacheco will be entering the final year of his rookie deal as a former seventh-round pick, to boot.
Elijah Mitchell had some flashes during his time with the San Francisco 49ers. But under Kyle Shanahan, almost every running back has flourished in that system. That has created a bit of a cloudy image regarding Mitchell within Kansas City's backfield.
Is Elijah Mitchell perhaps being overlooked as training camp gets deeper? What sort of expectations should Chiefs fans have for him as the regular season draws closer?
Isiah Pacheco's spot to lose
It seems like the overwhelming expectation is that Pacheco will get a major chance to remain the starter. He has battled injuries throughout the last two seasons. In each of his first two seasons, the Rutgers product was just shy of 1,000 yards rushing after overtaking the bulk of carries. His hard-nosed running style and ability to run through defenders have been energizing for the Chiefs in areas like short yardage or the red zone.
Training camp results can be swayed out of context so easily. But so far, the takeaways from Pacheco at training camp have been nothing but glowing. It will likely take another injury or ball security issues to drastically decrease his snaps.
Looking at the battle for Chiefs RB2
It seems safe to say that Hunt and Mitchell are the main competitors looking to earn that true RB2 role. Hunt was still able to provide spurts of juice and power throughout last season in his return to the Chiefs. Kansas City knows that he is not quite the athlete he used to be, though. As for Mitchell, his burst is something the team could easily look to cling to.
Elijah Mitchell has battled his share of injuries from the 49ers days. Yet, he is easily the fastest runner among non-rookies on the K.C. depth chart. He will likely be asked to handle fewer responsibilities in an Andy Reid offense compared to what was asked of him under Shanahan. Running backs had to reach steep angles and landmarks in San Francisco. But in Kansas City, inside runs can be where Mitchell makes his money.
If it comes down to quickness and overall production, there is no reason why Elijah Mitchell cannot leapfrog Hunt as the season wears on. His change of pace, as opposed to what defenses would see with Pacheco, could also be an added benefit to Kansas City's offense.
Mitchell has a point to prove
It is not necessarily a lock that Mitchell makes the team overall. Plenty of running backs have generated excitement in training camp and the preseason under Reid in Kansas City. But that does not always translate to making the squad for Week 1. Experience within the offense and distinct roles will usually outweigh any immediate hype from a preseason game.
Some people have wondered if Mitchell was simply a training camp body for added competition in July and August. It is fair to speculate that he may be beat out by others currently on the depth chart. Of course, the team could look to add another player who may not make another team’s roster after cutdown day. Think Samaje Perine from last season.
With the first preseason game coming this week, it will be the initial launch point to see what Elijah Mitchell can produce against a different team. It will be intriguing to see how many touches he gets in the first preseason showing. Either way, the fact that Mitchell may be overlooked currently is not too crazy, based on how the Chiefs have handled their running back spot in recent years.
