The additions of undrafted free agents Emani Bailey and Carson Steele bring new competition to a crowded Kansas City backfield.
With the dust settling on the NFL Draft and the undrafted free agency frenzy, the Kansas City Chiefs find themselves in a position of abundance at the running back position. Beyond the veteran mainstays of Isiah Pacheco and Clyde Edwards-Helaire — as well as last year’s practice squad pickups of Keaonte Ingram, Deneric Prince and La’Mical Perine — the Chiefs depth at running back now includes the undrafted free agent signings of Emani Bailey and Carson Steele.
Chiefs’ general manager Brett Veach recently clarified the situation, acknowledging the depth and talent now vying for that coveted third spot on the roster.
“I think that the running back position will be a battle,” Veach told reporters on Monday. “It usually comes down to special teams and pass protection as a No. 3 here. I think all these guys have traits we like, and now it’s just a matter of a couple of those guys putting together a solid training camp. That’s from the mental side of things and from the special team side of things. So, I do think, though, we have some guys that all have ability, and now it’s just a matter of those guys going out there earning the position.“
While the Chiefs have already seen Ingram, Prince and Perine in action last season, Bailey and Steele stand out as promising new challengers in this battle for the third running back spot.
Bailey is the smaller running back of the two, listed at 5’7” out of TCU. He projects as a change-of-pace back, making up for his lack of size with quickness, a willingness to block in pass protection and an ability to catch out of the backfield.
Emani Bailey finds the end zone for a @TCUFootball touchdown pic.twitter.com/GyAQf29eWs
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 3, 2023
Meanwhile, Steele — as his name suggests — is a bigger, more physical back listed at 6 feet, 228 lbs. out of UCLA. What he lacks in speed, he makes up for with power, scoring six rushing touchdowns for the Bruins last season as he projects to be a short-yardage specialist in the NFL.
HAT TRICK! Birthday boy havin’ a NIGHT @UCLAFootball x @carsonsteele30 pic.twitter.com/xmGqqUoW0x
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 22, 2023
Veach believes in the talent of the Chiefs’ running back room and expects the competition to bring out the best in all the players involved.
“From a talent perspective, I think as mentioned with (Emani) Bailey and (Carson) Steele we brought in, and last year with (Deneric) Prince and (Keaonte) Ingram, I think all those guys have talent and ability to play in this league,” Veach said. “Now it’s just a matter of who can put together a solid training camp and earn the position.”