Charcandrick West

West's role entering the 2017 campaign appeared unclear following the drafting of Kareem Hunt in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft. A torn PCL and damaged LCL suffered by Spencer Ware ended his season during the preseason and cleared the backfield for West and Hunt. West served in a complementary role, rushing 18 times for 72 yards and two touchdowns and 27 grabs for 150 yards and a touchdown. The running back was cut loose by the Chiefs in August, but the Jets quickly scooped West up to give the team some added backfield depth behind Isaiah Crowell and Bilal Powell, with Elijah McGuire nursing a foot injury.

West entered last season apparently in a competition with Spencer Ware to be Jamaal Charles' top backup, but when Charles inevitably got hurt, it was Ware who seized the starting role and never let go. Stuck in a supporting role, West only received more than 15 touches in a game three times all season, all of which were a result of Ware being injured. At 5-10, 205, West doesn't have the typical size of a lead back in the NFL, and while he's a good overall athlete, he lacks the one standout trait that might elevate him above backup material. Ware is expected to miss the entire year after suffering a knee injury in the preseason, but 2017 third-round pick Kareem Hunt will enter Week 1 as the lead back, with West still relegated to a supporting role. Should anything happen to the rookie, Kansas City presumably would have little choice but to give West his shot in the lead role.

Someone in your league probably spent a boatload of FAAB cash on West last October, and for a while it looked like a direct hit. West had touchdowns in four of his first seven primary games, and he also put up 161 total yards and two scores in a victory at Denver. Nonetheless, his seasonal YPC of 4.0 is mediocre at best, and it's telling that Spencer Ware went for 5.6 a carry in the same offense. Perhaps the Chiefs depth chart should be a warning shot about the perils of handcuffing — at this time last year it was commonly believed Knile Davis was the ideal handcuff for Charles. Often times, this stuff isn't sorted out until a team is actually presented with the predicament of losing the starter. West should have some role with this fall, but his upside likely peaked the evening you placed that optimistic FAAB bid.

With Cyrus Gray now officially off the Chiefs' roster, West could stand a chance to make it with a strong training camp. However, he's still stuck behind Jamaal Charles and direct backup Knile Davis, so his most meaningful impact will likely come on special teams if he does earn a roster spot.