NFL Analysis
9/2/24
4 min read
Undrafted Rookie RB Carson Steele Is Kansas City Chiefs' Secret Weapon
The Kansas City Chiefs have a handful of new playmakers on offense this season, but undrafted running back Carson Steele has a chance at being the best of the group.
Steele made the initial 53-man roster after a strong preseason. He was utilized in multiple roles and was named the team's starting fullback on Kansas City's Week 1 depth chart, but that's doing a disservice to the role that Steele is likely to play during the 2024 season.
With a unique skill set and an impressive backstory, Steele has a real chance at being a secret weapon in the Chiefs offense as they look to make another Super Bowl run.
Carson Steele's Unique Backstory
Steele has never been your average running back.
As a freshman varsity player at Center Grove High School in Indiana, Steele rushed for 1,703 yards and 20 touchdowns while averaging 6.3 yards per carry. He finished high school with 5,907 yards and 82 touchdowns on the ground while adding another 411 yards and three scores through the air.
As a senior, Steele was named Mr. Indiana with more than 1,800 all-purpose yards and 33 total touchdowns, leading Center Grove to their first of three straight state championships.
Despite all of that success, Steele was just a 2-star recruit coming out of high school. Center Grove's unique "spread Wing-T" offense was credited for most of his success, leading to just a handful of offers from smaller programs.
Steele ended up at Ball State, where he had an immediate impact with the Cardinals. He ran for over 2,400 yards and 20 touchdowns in just two seasons before transferring to UCLA. He also became a versatile weapon for the Bruins, racking up more than 1,000 total yards with eight total touchdowns.
None of the high school or college production seemed to matter for most NFL teams. While he isn't the most athletic back, he's a legitimate power runner at 6-foot-1 and 228 pounds.
Opponents in the preseason have found that out the hard way, with Steele running all over them.
Steele's Projected Role with the Chiefs
Isiah Pacheco will be the Chiefs' primary running back this season, but Andy Reid and his coaching staff will likely develop some packages for Steele.
Steele dominated as a running back in the preseason, continuing to run through defenders while keeping his feet moving to generate yards after contact. According to Pro Football Focus, Steele led all qualified rushers in the preseason with 7.36 yards after contact per attempt.
With low pad level, great contact balance, size, and play strength, Steele produced an impressive highlight reel of runs.
Carson Steele Chiefs RB2? pic.twitter.com/LwnTD1bc4e
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) August 26, 2024
Those yards after contact are a massive reason Steele made Kansas City's 53-man roster. According to TruMedia, the Chiefs ranked fifth in the NFL with 1.73 yards before contact per rushing attempt but ranked 27th with 2.55 yards after contact per run.
Steele's dominance as a runner after contact will give him a legitimate role in Kansas City's offense. That role should be even more prominent earlier in the season, with backup running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire going on the reserve/non-football illness list.
That leaves the Chiefs with just two running backs behind Pacheco in Steele and Samaje Perine. However, Perine was signed on August 28, slightly more than a week until the team's Week 1 opener against the Baltimore Ravens.
Perine is a solid veteran addition to the Chiefs backfield. After bringing him in, Andy Reid even mentioned his ability as a third-down back to reporters. Still, when Pacheco needs a breather on the sideline, Steele would be a more logical early-down back to wear down opponents with his hard-nosed running and physical style of play.
With enough early-season momentum, there's a strong possibility that Steele will become the preferred backup running back in Kansas City going forward.
