Kansas City Chiefs UDFA running back/fullback Carson Steele has become the star of the 2024 preseason period in KC.
After his latest highlight-reel play on August 22, Steele appears to be a “lock” to make the active roster, but nothing is guaranteed until the Chiefs submit their initial 53 on August 27. The rookie messaged his followers on X ahead of Tuesday’s moment of truth.
“I’m done playing when I quit having fun with it😎” Steele said, sharing three photos and one video from his big preseason finale. A safe bet that the youngster has no plans of ending his promising NFL career anytime soon.
To no surprise, the fast fan favorite’s post blew up on the social media app, with over 3,000 likes in under four hours.
According to Football Database, Steele finished his first NFL preseason with 11 carries for 87 yards, 2 touchdowns and 6 first downs — which yields a yards per carry average of 7.91. The summer standout also registered 3 runs that went for 10-plus yards, including his 31-yard long.
As a receiver, Steele’s longest catch went for 6 yards, although his total yardage through the air was a -3 because of a poorly blocked screen. More importantly, the bubble candidate has displayed versatility on special teams, averaging 32.5 yards per kick return with 1.5 ST tackles and another tackle after an offensive turnover.
Chiefs’ Carson Steele Sweeps Final Round of 53-Man Projections
There was a time where Steele didn’t make the roster in a single 53-man projection. After the preseason finale, however, the potential starting fullback swept all of them.
Beginning with The Athletic’s Nate Taylor, who headlined his article: “Why Carson Steele is in, Kadarius Toney is out.”
“Steele, an undrafted rookie, has been excellent in the preseason,” he explained. “Steele led the Chiefs with 29 rushing yards on four attempts and broke several tackles against the [Jacksonville] Jaguars. The next week, Steele demonstrated his blocking and receiving skills. Against the [Chicago] Bears, Steele was the big winner again, producing 50 rushing yards on four attempts, including a 1-yard touchdown.”
Taylor added that “in camp, Steele showed he has the versatility to be a fullback if necessary.”
Arrowhead Pride beat reporter Pete Sweeney agreed that the undrafted rookie has secured his spot, noting that Steele should “get his wish” and become the Chiefs’ Swiss Army knife this season.
As did KSHB 41’s Nick Jacobs and Chiefs Digest beat writer Matt Derrick.
Finally, A-to-Z Sports Kansas City reporter Charles Goldman wrote that “Steele has proven himself as a ball-carrier, blocker, and receiver during the preseason and training camp.” The rookie was listed as the RB2 on Goldman’s projection.
Will the Chiefs Cut Deneric Prince or Clyde Edwards-Helaire?
With Steele in, running backs Deneric Prince and Clyde Edwards-Helaire find themselves on the roster bubble. The Chiefs could keep one of the two, or both. And a third option involves stashing the latter on the injured reserve amid off-the-field battles with PTSD.
Given Edwards-Helaire’s public struggles with PTSD this summer, this is a very delicate situation for general manager Brett Veach and head coach Andy Reid. It might even be the most interesting KC roster battle to monitor.
Circling back to the roster predictions above, four out of the five chose to cut Prince.
Taylor reasoned that the second-year prospect “didn’t do enough to make a case to earn a roster spot.” While Sweeney simply stated that Prince ran into an “unfortunate numbers game.”
The lone beat reporter to keep Prince was Jacobs, who suggested that Edwards-Helaire might begin the season on the short-term injured reserve.
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