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Chiefs appear to be planning to draft a running back to back up or replace Johnson.
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star
Maybe the Chiefs are truly concerned about Larry Johnson’s welfare. Perhaps it’s a sign they believe he is ready to hold out or they’re preparing to trade him.
Or it could be just something as simple as the Chiefs doing their predraft homework.
Whatever the reason, they met this week at Arrowhead Stadium with at least four of the higher-profile running backs available in the coming draft: California’s Marshawn Lynch, Ohio State’s Antonio Pittman, Florida State’s Lorenzo Booker and Louisville’s Kolby Smith.
Oklahoma’s Adrian Peterson, widely considered the top running back available in the draft, did not visit with the Chiefs this week. Neither did some of the other top runners, including Arizona’s Chris Henry, Auburn’s Kenny Irons, Penn State’s Tony Hunt and Alabama’s Kenneth Darby.
The Chiefs were unavailable Thursday to speak about their motives. But the agents for all of the players said the Chiefs told them they planned to draft a running back in an early round.
“They’ve put that out there,” said Smith’s agent, Jerrold Colton. “They said they want the running-back duties shared a little more to save the wear and tear on (Johnson).”
That part makes sense. Johnson was the busiest NFL back ever last season when he set a league record with 416 carries, and coach Herm Edwards has said he would like to reduce the burden on Johnson.
Edwards also indicated recently there was a good chance the Chiefs would draft another running back.
The puzzling part is that the Chiefs are looking at some premier backs. Lynch probably will be selected by the time the Chiefs make their first pick, 23rd in the first round. Pittman is a likely second-round selection.
Booker and Smith, though, could be available in the latter half of the seven-round draft.
The Chiefs have an accomplished backup to Johnson in Michael Bennett. He didn’t help them much last year, mainly because of injuries.
But he once rushed for more than 1,000 yards with Minnesota. The Chiefs like that he’s fast and that he’s a good complement to Johnson.
Johnson and the Chiefs have worked on a new contract that would give him a raise, but they don’t have an agreement yet. Johnson has not threatened to hold out if he doesn’t get a new deal and has been participating in the offseason workout program.
The Chiefs also might be willing to trade Johnson if the right trade offer came along.
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