The Kansas City Chiefs added six draft picks in the 2019 NFL Draft and each of those rookies made contributions during the season and postseason. This draft had a mix of offensive and defensive players compared to the 2018 NFL Draft, which was primarily defensive players for the Chiefs. Let’s take a look at Darwin Thompson’s 2019 season and see what we can project for the future.
Utah State RB Darwin Thompson – 214 overall
Stat |
2019 totals |
| Games played | 12 |
| Games started | 0 |
| Offensive Snaps | 107 |
| Special Teams Snaps | 99 |
| Carries | 37 |
| Rushing yards | 128 |
| Touchdown | 1 |
| Catches | 9 |
| Receiving yards | 43 |
2019 season review:
After an exciting preseason, fans thought that Thompson was set to play a significant role for the Chiefs in 2019. Then the team signed veteran RB LeSean McCoy and Thompson took a back seat in the running back pecking order. In Week 2, Thompson had his first NFL carry, but he truly didn’t get a real shot to play until Week 13 against the Oakland Raiders. He had 11 carries for 44 yards and his lone touchdown of the season during that game.
“I think it was good for him to get nationwide confirmation on what we’ve been seeing in practice,” Chiefs RB coach Deland McCullough said of his performance. “I think the last time I was up here I said something very similar. The guy has some juice. We were finally in the position to just let him loose. I know I sat in a meeting and said, ‘man when he’s active, I got to just play the dude,’ that’s what I made a point of doing and making sure everybody was good with it. Let’s get this guy out there and get him going.”
The Chiefs had to make sure that Thompson was the full package before they felt confident putting him on the field. Could he handle protection calls, catch the ball, run the ball and do everything with the same prowess? He had some early bumps in the road when it came to that, however, by the end of the season, he was trusted over veteran RB LeSean McCoy. He was the No. 2 RB to Damien Williams for Kansas City throughout the playoffs including in Super Bowl LIV.
2020 season outlook:
Assuming the Chiefs pick up the 2020 club option on RB Damien Williams, Thompson will be in the mix to be the No. 2 running back spot. He won’t be without competition as Darrel Williams returns from injury. There will also be potential for other players to emerge. Given his role to end the season, it’s safe to assume that Thompson will get an opportunity to show new growth and improvement in 2020.
He’s proven that he can do everything the Chiefs need. He’s even developed into a very good special teams player too. Thompson has OC Eric Bieniemy in his corner too.
“Obviously, I like to think that I’m one of the official presidents of the Short Running Back Club,” Bieniemy said. “So, with Darwin being in that Short Running Back Club, obviously, I have high expectations of him. He has a dynamic personality and he has a great work ethic. So yes, he will be given an opportunity at some point, but right now he is learning behind a number of great players. He is spending time in that room with (RBs) Coach (Deland) McCullough. They’re doing one hell of a job. The only thing that he wants to know is how can he improve on the next particular play.”
Thompson’s opportunity to prove himself might come during the first week of training camp or it might be the last game of the season. Whatever the situation, he needs to be prepared to seize the day when that opportunity comes knocking.
Chiefs 2019 rookie season reviews:
WR Mecole Hardman (Coming soon)
DB Juan Thornhill (Coming soon)
DT Khalen Saunders (Coming soon)
CB Rashad Fenton (Coming soon)
RB Darwin Thompson (You’re here!)
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