In his first game as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs, he ran for 173 yards and one touchdown on 23 carries, along with 18 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown. His rushing yards total was the highest of the week of any running back in the NFL, ahead of Jahmyr Gibbs (156), Derrick Henry (144), and D'Andre Swift (124). The Chiefs defeated their division rival Broncos 31-10, and according to one of Walker's teammates, it feels like the team's plan going forward is to keep feeding him the rock.
Adding to the hype, one of his new teammates likened it to blocking for another All-Pro running back, Bijan Robinson. "I played in college with Bijan. This feels like blocking for Bijan right now," wide receiver Xavier Worthy told reporters on Friday.
"You don't block, you don't get the rock. I feel like that's a thing in our receiver room that we kinda took to heart, and we wanna be great at it." More news: Chiefs Coach Doubles Down on Kenneth Walker After Monster Week 1 Across his first four seasons in Seattle, Walker recorded 3,555 rushing yards and 1,005 receiving yards. The issue is, while he's been efficient with his touches, he was never a true workhorse back, always splitting carries with Zach Charbonnet, the Seahawks' former second-round pick (No. 52 overall) out of UCLA.
Now, he's got the whole backfield to himself in a new system that appears intent on using him like the bell cow back he was drafted to be. And the Robinson comparisons might sound crazy, but if Walker can get 360-plus touches as the Falcons star gets, he could put up similar numbers. Robinson is most dangerous in the receiving game, finishing last season with 820 receiving yards to go along with 1,478 rushing yards and 11 total touchdowns.
Walker has always been a capable pass catcher out of the backfield; he's just never gotten the workload. More news: Cam Skattebo Fires Warning Shot at Aaron Donald Ahead of Giants-Rams More news: Browns Reunite Shedeur Sanders With Former Colorado Teammate Walker has the ability to make a Bijan-level of impact, and his 60-yard rushing touchdown in the season opener, where he bounced it outside and gashed the Broncos' defense, showcased how explosive he can be coming off the edge. The upcoming schedule for Walker is juicy as well.
Next up he faces the Colts, who just let Henry rush all over them, followed by the Dolphins, Raiders, and Chargers, before a return to Seattle to face the Seahawks.
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