Chiefs dump Thompson

The Chiefs released RB Darwin Thompson. They're set to enter the season with Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Darrel Williams and Jerick McKinnon atop the depth chart.

Nate Taylor of The Athletic tweeted Tuesday that Chiefs rookie RB Darwin Thompson "appears to have leaped" over Carlos Hyde on the depth chart. That comes amid reports that Thompson has been splitting 1st-team reps with Damien Williams in practice this week. Hyde, meanwhile, has generated no positive buzz that we've seen. Thompson remains a draft value as of now, with an ADP in the middle of Round 12 in Draft.com 12-team, best-ball drafting this week. But we wouldn't be surprised if he climbs over the next week or so. Beware of reaching for the rookie too early, but the high-ceiling situation will keep him in consideration.

Chiefs RB Darwin Thompson split 1st-team goal-line reps with RB Damien Williams in Tuesday's practice, according to ESPN's Adam Teicher. RB coach Deland McCullough said afterward that it was a direct result of Thompson's impressive showing in the preseason opener, when he carried 5 times for 22 yards and scored a 29-yard receiving TD. “He’s a strong runner," McCullough said. “He’s got a great center of gravity. He’s a guy that can get skinny and get up through some holes, too. More importantly, he’s done some things to warrant that opportunity to get some reps with the (starters). He showed some flashes in the last game." We'll be watching to see if Thompson gets any work with the starters in Kansas City's 2nd exhibition. But his talent and situation make the rookie an intriguing late-round flier in fantasy drafts.

The Chiefs selected Utah State RB Darwin Thompson in Round 6. Thompson is coming off a big 2018 campaign that saw him rack up 1,044 yards and 14 scores on 153 carries (6.8 YPC), plus 351 yards and 2 TDs on 23 grabs (15.3 YPC). He led this entire RB class in Pro Football Focus’ 2018 Elusive Rating, which measures a RB’s productivity beyond the blocking he receives. The 5’8, 198-pound Thompson wasn’t invited to the Combine but crushed his Pro Day to earn a 70th percentile SPARQ score. One of our favorite sleepers in this RB class can provide more explosive ability to the Chiefs offense.