Ryan Kang/Associated Press

With a healthy Jamaal Charles back in the fold, the Kansas City Chiefs have a loaded backfield, and offloading Knile Davis may help alleviate the congestion.

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Davis Reportedly Deemed Expendable

Monday, Aug. 29

NFL Media's Mike Garafolo reported Monday the team is open to trading Davis ahead of the 2016 regular season.

It comes as little surprise that Davis could be the odd man out in Kansas City. He had a strong year in 2014, running for 463 yards and six touchdowns while catching 16 passes for 147 yards and a touchdown.

In 2015, though, Davis became an afterthought after Charcandrick West and Spencer Ware filled in for Charles, who suffered a season-ending knee injury.

In October, ESPN.com's Adam Teicher wrote that West, in particular, was a superior option to Davis:

But it's difficult to blame [head coach Andy Reid]. West is more of a threat as a pass receiver. He is reliable catching the ball, something Davis isn't. The Chiefs seem comfortable with him as a pass blocker, more than they do with Davis. As a runner, West isn't nearly as big, fast or powerful as Davis. But he's more effective. Anything that isn't straight ahead but requires more than one cut gives Davis trouble.

Davis has some value in the return game. In Kansas City's Wild Card Round win over the Houston Texans, he took the opening kickoff back 106 yards for a touchdown, as the NFL showed:

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Given the depth the Chiefs have at running back, though, being a good return man may not be enough for Davis to remain with the team.

Kansas City could have trouble finding any takers for the fourth-year veteran. Teams looking for special teams help might be willing to make a deal, but Davis' inability to establish himself as a consistent running or receiving threat will limit his list of potential destinations.

If anything, other teams might wait in the hope that the Chiefs release Davis before they decide to make a move.