Chiefs Roster: Samaje Perine initiatives as pass-down again in offense

This week, between the preseason finale and the common season opener, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs made a handful of strikes to show over the fringes of the roster. Nevertheless, one exterior acquisition stands out for the way it can influence the crew instantly.

Working again Samaje Perine was signed on Wednesday after getting lower by the Denver Broncos. The eighth-year again spent one season in Denver after a notable three-year stretch with the Cincinnati Bengals. During the last two seasons, Perine has amassed 1,346 whole yards and 7 touchdowns as a complementary again to the crew’s starter.

The late addition to the backfield is harking back to 2019 when the Chiefs signed veteran working again LeSean McCoy simply earlier than Week 1. That season, McCoy contributed 646 whole yards and 5 touchdowns as a secondary possibility behind the starter Damien Williams.

Perine has an opportunity to make an analogous influence in 2024 with the Chiefs. These are the methods he can match into the offense straight away:

Receiving out of the backfield

In 2023, Perine was the Broncos’ main pass-down again. As soon as the offense was going through a 3rd down or the two-minute drill, Perine was within the sport to be a dependable go catcher — or go blocker.

Perine completed with 455 receiving yards in 2023, the seventh-most by any working again within the NFL. He was one of the environment friendly receiving backs as properly.

That’s the place Perine excelled in Cincinnati as properly: being the pass-down again to enrich starter Joe Mixon; in 2022, Perine scored 4 touchdowns over the 38 passes he caught with the Bengals.

In these receptions from 2023, Perine exhibits off good contact stability and fast sufficient toes to be a nuisance to carry down within the open area. He doesn’t have the explosiveness or shiftiness to juke a defender out in house, however he’s subtly elusive. It prevents defenders from getting a clear shot at him, and Perine has the power to shake off ankle grabs and arm tackles.

It’s why Perine ranked so extremely among the many league in gaining extra yards after the catch than anticipated.

Move safety

Popping out of Oklahoma within the 2017 NFL Draft class, Perine measured 5 toes 11 inches tall and 233 kilos. He could have slimmed down some within the league, however that enormous body nonetheless supplies him a powerful basis as a go blocker.

On these performs, Perine shows each the willingness and the approach to carry up towards blitzers or stunting edge rushers. It begins with the extensive base, which permits him to generate energy on the engagement and react to the rushers’ motion. On performs the place the line of defense runs a stunt, his extensive base and lively arms permit him to come back off blocks and choose up others effectively.

It’s necessary {that a} pass-protection again is prepared to stay his nostril within the fan and be aggressive in taking over blitzes. Perine has that trait, however it may be overdone on some reps, resulting in whiffs or an unbalanced block. He desires to ship a giant blow, however that isn’t at all times crucial at his dimension. He has the power to manage a few of these engagements with out the headhunting.

Both approach, the Chiefs received’t need to be involved with Perine’s physicality in these conditions. He’s seeking to put his physique on the road to maintain rushers off the quarterback.

Energy working

Perine was nearly completely utilized in passing conditions with Denver. He solely totaled 53 speeding makes an attempt in 2023, however averaged three yards after contact per rush; when he acquired room to run into the second stage, he pressured a number of off-ball defenders to gang up and convey him down.

The identical contact stability that makes him an asset as a receiver exhibits up on these carries. He has the core power to remain up by excessive deal with makes an attempt, like shaking off former Chiiefs’ security Juan Thornhill simply on the primary play.

That energy working additionally exhibits up on this goal-line snap. After receiving the within handoff, Perine is initially contacted on the four-yard line — however he drives by the road and finds the aim line anyway.

The underside line

The Chiefs wanted one other contributor within the backfield. Beginning working again Isiah Pacheco has earned extra possibilities to be a real three-down again, but it surely wouldn’t be sensible to offer him that full workload all season. Working again Clyde Edwards-Helaire can spell the lead again, however his inconsistent availability could come up all through the marketing campaign.

Perine brings dependability to the Chiefs’ backfield. He has performed in 16 or extra video games within the final 4 years and has far more expertise within the pass-down again position than anybody in Kansas Metropolis.

Perine gives extra than simply his catching and blocking skills; that’s probably the place he’ll take advantage of important influence for the Chiefs.

To place it merely: Perine is the brand new Jerick McKinnon. That ought to give followers a sign of how necessary Perine might be in Kansas Metropolis.