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Spencer Ware (and rest of KC backfield) 2019 outlook

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2018 2:22 pm
by Life of Pablo
Is anybody expecting Ware to have a starting (or at least sizable/fantasy-relevant) role for the Chiefs or any other team next year? I'm aware Damien Williams had a great game a few days ago, but I still see him as the 1B to Ware's 1A when both are healthy. The bigger impending threat however is how the offseason plays out. Not only could the Chiefs easily bring in more/better/younger RB talent, but Ware is also an unrestricted FA so it's not even a guarantee that the Chiefs bring him back for 2019.

So, does anyone think Ware can sustain any long-term non-handcuff value after this final fantasy week, or is this just his last 15 minutes of fame? (My personal conundrum is that Jamaal Williams is on waivers... so I'm debating dropping Ware to block him from my championship opponent. However, I could also drop Ito, Foreman, idk)

That upside/potential of stashing Ware to pay off big-time in 2019 is salivating. But I'm starting to think that the chance of that happening is nothing but a pipedream at this point. What do you guys think? Can anyone make a compelling argument to hang on to that hope?

Re: Spencer Ware (and rest of KC backfield) 2019 outlook

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2018 2:46 pm
by rschroeder1
This is a fun, if not utterly unknowable, topic to discuss. I have a share of Darrel Williams that is fun to dream about, if nothing else.

A few factors that I see coming into play:

- The Chiefs currently have $42 million in cap space for 2019, about middle of the pack. I am not a Chiefs fan and am just looking at this number: https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/cap/2019/

So there very well may be players who will be cut to free up cap space for '19. But it's safe to say they probably aren't going to be at the top of the list.

- Given that the Chiefs are in their Super Bowl window for the next three years before they have to pay Mahomes, from an outsider's perspective, you would think the defense will be a priority in the draft next year.

- Outside of Bell, the free agent class isn't exactly loaded. Tevin Coleman and Carlos Hyde probably the big names. Coleman feels like he may get Jerick Mckinnon-level money that might be beyond what the Chiefs want to spend.

- Both Ware and Damien Williams seem to be guys who could be resigned for reasonable contracts.

- Darrel Williams is a true wild card. I have more to say about him because I've been doing some research since I own him and don't know how to value him. Intentionally chose LSU knowing he probably wouldn't play much (childhood dream) so doesn't have a lot of a college resume, didn't wow at the combine so it seems a lot of people are turned off from him already, but I personally don't put a lot of weight on combine stuff. I did think it was notable he played 25% of the snaps against the Chargers. Showed a degree of trust for an undrafted rookie in a critical game.

To sum up this vague and amorphous post, I would hold on to Ware because the upside is enormous. My guess is the Chiefs either make a run at Bell or go a more cost-conscious route at the position.

Re: Spencer Ware (and rest of KC backfield) 2019 outlook

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2018 2:54 pm
by juke05
I don't see the chiefs making a run at bell...not b/c of the money but because I don't think andy reid would not want that kind of "me-first" player that could cause a distraction. He learned his lesson with TO back in the day and seems to be about building a culture in KC, exhibit A being cutting Hunt.

I would 100% hold ware over picking up Williams. The chiefs could certainly draft or sign a RB next year but like the above poster said, the upside of Ware in that starting role is too much to ignore

Re: Spencer Ware (and rest of KC backfield) 2019 outlook

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2018 3:13 pm
by skip
This was already discussed here. Zero chance Ware is the starter next season

Re: Spencer Ware (and rest of KC backfield) 2019 outlook

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2018 3:20 pm
by Space Cowboy
skip wrote: Mon Dec 17, 2018 3:13 pm This was already discussed here. Zero chance Ware is the starter next season
He was their starter last year on a less talented offense so there's no way to rule that out.

Re: Spencer Ware (and rest of KC backfield) 2019 outlook

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2018 4:03 pm
by rschroeder1
juke05 wrote: Mon Dec 17, 2018 2:54 pm I don't see the chiefs making a run at bell...not b/c of the money but because I don't think andy reid would not want that kind of "me-first" player that could cause a distraction. He learned his lesson with TO back in the day and seems to be about building a culture in KC, exhibit A being cutting Hunt.

I would 100% hold ware over picking up Williams. The chiefs could certainly draft or sign a RB next year but like the above poster said, the upside of Ware in that starting role is too much to ignore
Just wanted to clarify from my original post. I wouldn't advocate Darrel Williams over Ware (or Damien Williams over Ware). Darrel is clearly a long shot dart throw, but also the guy with the least information we have available.

Re: Spencer Ware (and rest of KC backfield) 2019 outlook

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2018 8:11 pm
by Orenthal Shames
So much ambiguity as of now. Hold em if you got em I suppose, unless you get a juicy offer.

Re: Spencer Ware (and rest of KC backfield) 2019 outlook

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2018 8:13 pm
by Jigga94
Orenthal Shames wrote: Mon Dec 17, 2018 8:11 pm So much ambiguity as of now. Hold em if you got em I suppose, unless you get a juicy offer.
Exactly. I'll hold Ware through the offseason, maybe hes the starter, maybe not and I drop him

Re: Spencer Ware (and rest of KC backfield) 2019 outlook

Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2018 6:57 am
by juke05
rschroeder1 wrote: Mon Dec 17, 2018 4:03 pm
juke05 wrote: Mon Dec 17, 2018 2:54 pm I don't see the chiefs making a run at bell...not b/c of the money but because I don't think andy reid would not want that kind of "me-first" player that could cause a distraction. He learned his lesson with TO back in the day and seems to be about building a culture in KC, exhibit A being cutting Hunt.

I would 100% hold ware over picking up Williams. The chiefs could certainly draft or sign a RB next year but like the above poster said, the upside of Ware in that starting role is too much to ignore
Just wanted to clarify from my original post. I wouldn't advocate Darrel Williams over Ware (or Damien Williams over Ware). Darrel is clearly a long shot dart throw, but also the guy with the least information we have available.
OP was considering picking up Jamaal Williams and dropping Ware. IMO, Ware>Jamaal Williams>Damian Williams>Darrel Williams

Re: Spencer Ware (and rest of KC backfield) 2019 outlook

Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2018 7:27 am
by Dynasty_Analyst
As a chiefs fan there is almost 0 chance we pursue bell. Having said that I think there is a very small chance ware is also the lead back next year. I think it will likely be addressed in the draft but I could also see a possible coleman signing if they were going with a free agent

Re: Spencer Ware (and rest of KC backfield) 2019 outlook

Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2018 7:42 am
by ajf235
I think Ware’s dynasty value is next to nil. Ware had a just-below pro bowl caliber season in 2016 as the Chiefs starting RB and they still drafted Kareem Hunt in the third round of the 2017 draft.

I think the Chiefs address the RB situation in the draft or potentially sign someone like Tevin Coleman this offseason. I doubt Ware stays the guy. Why would he when they didn’t allow him to be the guy after a more productive season when he was a two years younger than he is now.

Re: Spencer Ware (and rest of KC backfield) 2019 outlook

Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2018 8:26 am
by hockeyBjj
Very up in the air. If I had to bet, I'd bet on them drafting a 2nd round rookie RB (and that guy going 1st overall in dynasty rookie drafts)

Re: Spencer Ware (and rest of KC backfield) 2019 outlook

Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2018 11:49 am
by ninotoreS
For now, we can only speculate, with zero firm evidence to cite pointing at any particular outcome.

I presume KC will be active both in the draft and in free-agency at RB. There will be several decent RBs in free-agency this offseason. Bell is the only marquee bellcow available (iirc), but there are several other options that could be leadback caliber, and definitely could be part of a quality committee.

As for Ware and the two Williams, all bets are off. It's only become obvious to me in hindsight, but Ware has had some trouble staying healthy ever since he transitioned from fullback to running-back; as such, I'm not confident he'll be re-signed. Darrel Williams is signed for 2019 and I'm guessing will indeed make the roster next year, but probably just as depth. Of the currently rostered players, Damien Williams is the most interesting 2019 dice-roll; he'd need to be re-signed, but I know Brett Veach has viewed Damien as a potential "situational starter" from square one. Damien's 2019 future with KC may greatly depend on how well he plays in the post-season.

Re: Spencer Ware (and rest of KC backfield) 2019 outlook

Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2018 1:10 pm
by Vcize
Everyone is salivating over Bell/Coleman/Ingram in KC but the reality is that Reid has never really been the type to bring in that kind of free agent at running back. He seems to love getting his guy in day 2 or day 3 of the draft and when he does bring in a FA to supplement them it's typically more of a back end FA option (like Ware and Williams were in the first place) rather than one of the most expensive guys.

Maybe their Super Bowl window while Mahomes is on his rookie deal will entice them to finally spend on a RB, but If they do decide to bring someone new in I wouldn't be at all surprised if t were someone no one is thinking of like Mike Davis or Cameron Artis Payne as depth alongside a day 2 or day 3 pick in the draft.

Re: Spencer Ware (and rest of KC backfield) 2019 outlook

Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2018 1:18 pm
by Life of Pablo
Appreciate the comments, a lot of good food for thought. End of the day I guess it's impossible to predict what will happen, but I agree with the general sentiment that Ware will not have a starting role next year. Too many possible scenarios make it unlikely, and Damien Williams playing well last week kinda confirmed it in my eyes.

Having said that, I'll probably hold onto Ware as an offseason stash just in case of the 5% chance he has a golden opportunity next year. Always liked the guy myself. If a more enticing FA becomes available to me over the next few days (not Jamaal Williams - my upcoming opponent [who I was not expecting to face] will not need him to start), I'll think about making the switch.