Emmett Johnson could earn more touches for Chiefs by end of year image
The Kansas City Chiefs have often made more with less on offense.
But in the case of rookie running back Emmett Johnson, they have a chance to make more with more.
The fifth-round pick out of Nebraska has been playing behind standout Kenneth Walker but has earned the praise of his coaching staff.
If Johnson continues to play at this level he could become a focal point of this offense.
Emmett Johnson earns praise from RB coach DeMarco Murray
Former NFL rushing leader and All-Pro running back DeMarco Murray is leading the Chiefs' backfield. He's had some positive words on new running back Emmett Johnson.
"He'll continue to get more opportunities... Everything we've asked him to do, from special teams to blocking to running, he's done a tremendous job," Murray said as reported by Charles Goldman.
This is extremely positive when you read between the lines.
On the surface, people think big runs or catches vault rushers up the depth chart. But it's the exact opposite.
Murray bringing up special teams and blocking shows that Johnson has great maturity. His willingness to sacrifice himself for the greater good of the team will be rewarded with more meaningful touches.
Johnson has just 10 touches for 39 yards through two games but he's due to tote the rock much more as the season progresses.
Kenneth Walker's injury history could give Emmett Johnson more touches
Kenneth Walker went from Super Bowl MVP in Seattle to workhorse payday in Kansas City.
He signed a 3-year, $43 million deal with the Chiefs in the offseason setting him up for full ownership of the backfield.
But Walker's injury history says he should be ceding more touches to last for the long haul.
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He missed 10 games in his first three seasons in Seattle. Last year he missed zero games but shared the backfield with bruising running back Zach Charbonnet.
Walker has hovered around 50% snap share throughout his career. It's been a different story in Kansas City.
He had 68% of the snaps in week 1 and 83% in week 2. Walker has responded with 290 yards rushing in two weeks but that doesn't mean this pace is sustainable.
If the Chiefs want to keep Walker healthy for the long term, they could opt to give the rookie more touches as the season progresses.
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