The Kansas City Chiefs will be without starting running back Spencer Ware after tests confirmed on Monday that he suffered a torn PCL and LCL in his knee this past week against the Seattle Seahawks. It's a devastating blow for a Chiefs team that has been relying on the ground attack with a limited Alex Smith under center.
Last season saw Ware put up 1,368 total yards with six touchdowns en route to finishing as a mid-tier RB2 option. Rookie third-round pick Kareem Hunt will beging the season as Kansas City's starter with Ware sidelined.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid made this proclamation before it was even announced that Ware would be lost for the season. That's how much the team likes the rookie from Toledo. And in reality, it leads us to believe that Hunt represents RB1 upside as a rookie in 2017.
Dating back to his time in Philadelphia, Reid-led offenses have ranked in the top 10 on the ground in five of the past seven seasons. That includes a No. 6 ranking two years ago. What makes Hunt such an intriguing figure is that Reid has done this with a plethora of running backs leading the charge in the past.
| Year | Team | Player | Yards | FF Ranking |
| 2016 | Chiefs | Spencer Ware | 1,368 | 16th |
| 2015 | Chiefs | Charcandrick West | 848 | 32nd |
| 2014 | Chiefs | Jamaal Charles | 1,324 | 7th |
| 2013 | Chiefs | Jamaal Charles | 1,980 | 1st |
| 2012 | Eagles | LeSean McCoy | 1,213 | 22nd |
| 2011 | Eagles | LeSean McCoy | 1,624 | 2nd |
| 2010 | Eagles | LeSean McCoy | 1,672 | 7th |
This is a clear representation that Reid knows exactly how to get the most out of his running backs. Once he figures out who the guy is, Reid feeds that man the ball.
As of right now, it's clear that Hunt is the three-down back in Kansas City. That most definitely provides him with top-10 fantasy upside as a rookie in 2017.