Stop me if you’ve heard this one before — a former backup in Miami has left and found measurable success elsewhere with the benefit of better coaching and more effective usage. Yes? Seemingly 50 examples can spring to mind, right?
Consider former Dolphins running back Damien Williams to be the latest example. Williams was a rotational back for the Dolphins over his first four NFL seasons — tasked with only starting four games and never logging over 3.9 yards per carry over a single season.
Williams managed to latch on in Kansas City in 2018 and in the aftermath of the Kareem Hunt saga became the de facto starter. With 10 touchdowns in seven weeks and two 100-yard rushing efforts — including one in postseason play — the Chiefs understandably liked what they saw.
So much so that Williams has officially been named the Chiefs’ starting running back in 2019 by offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.
“Damien Williams is our starter,” Bieniemy said. “We expect him to excel in that role.”
Good for Williams. It’s hard to fault the former Oklahoma Sooner back for never really finding his footing here in South Florida. The interior offensive line was abysmal during his time with the Dolphins and his usage was largely regulated to one of a third-down receiving back. And while Williams did well in that area, running backs are a fickle bunch. Only the absolute best of the best are capable of transcending bad conditions and a poor supporting staff.
No one is going to confuse Williams for an elite physical talent. But as the starter in Kansas City, there’s pretty good odds that he’ll produce some elite numbers. Just another one that got away, Miami.
