If you had Clyde Edwards-Helaire (RB – KC) in a deep league, Darrel Williams (RB – KC) should already be on your roster. However, I know it’s not always easy to handcuff, and for that reason, Williams finds himself rostered on less than ten percent of leagues.
An MCL sprain could hold Edwards-Helaire out for a few weeks, and Williams is a priority add for fantasy players.
Let’s get into why he’s worth a top waiver claim.
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Player Profile:
In 2018, the Kansas City Chiefs scooped up an undrafted free agent running back out of LSU named Darrel Williams, and they haven’t let him go.
Over four NFL seasons, Williams is averaging three rushes and one reception per game, totaling 808 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns. On the ground, he averages 3.8 yards per attempt.
He’s a strong running back (22 bench press reps at the combine) who does his best work between the tackles. Over the last two seasons, he hasn’t had a rushing attempt or reception that’s gone for more than 15 yards.
The Chiefs have made it clear they don’t see Williams as a starting running back, always keeping at least one back well ahead of Williams in terms of snap counts and involvement. However, this season, as players with Clyde Edwards-Helaire on their rosters will attest, Williams has taken some high-volume goal-to-go carries from CEH. Through five weeks, Williams and CEH have each taken five carries in the red zone. Williams turned those carries into two touchdowns. Edwards-Helaire doesn’t have a rushing touchdown in 2021, rather two receiving scores.
The State of The Offense:
We want Kansas City’s starting running back. Opposing defenses would quickly be proven foolish if they stacked the box against a team boasting Patrick Mahomes (QB – KC), Tyreek Hill (WR – KC), and Travis Kelce (TE – KC). The nature of Kansas City’s incredible passing attack makes the life of their running back that much easier. Also, great offenses score a lot, and the players who end up with touchdowns are historically random, so having a running back on a terrific offense puts you in an excellent position to have good luck.
The only snag with this backfield now is Jerick McKinnon (RB – KC). Of course, he’s only a metaphorical snag for fantasy purposes. In reality, McKinnon’s had a challenging career dealing with injuries, and from a human perspective, I’d love nothing more than for McKinnon to vindicate the potential, so many people once saw in him.
Williams’s snap count only increased by seven percent (43%) compared to his week four rate (37%) in week five. McKinnon, however, nearly tripled (31%) his week four snap rate (12%). Williams is pretty much a net-neutral player in the receiving game. McKinnon offers more upside as a pass-catcher.
Williams’ Outlook:
If Williams is on your league’s waiver wire, you’re picking him up. He’ll likely be taking at least half (more, if all goes well for him) of Kansas City’s offensive snaps and projects as the short-yardage back.
McKinnon will likely be involved, and hey, if McKinnon finally puts it all together, he might out-snap Williams. In deep leagues, I think McKinnon is worth an add. That will take time, though. Williams has been the clear number-two back to CEH thus far and will have every chance to become the alpha of the Chiefs’ backfield while CEH remains on the sideline. I’m adding and starting Williams until I’m proven otherwise.
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TJ Horgan is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from TJ, check out his archive and follow him @tjhorgantv.
