Packers 2016 Recap: RB Knile Davis
2016 Stats
- Appeared in 2 games
- 5 attempts, 5 yards, 2 receptions, 4 yards
- 1 kickoff return for 18 yards
Expectations going into the season: Moderate
Expectations were: Not Met
Analysis: Knile Davis was perfect fit on paper, but not on the field
When general manager Ted Thompson makes a trade outside of the NFL Draft, it’s a big deal. Running back Knile Davis was in his fourth season in the league and third on the depth chart in Kansas City until Green Bay sent a conditional draft pick to acquire him in October.
Running backs Eddie Lacy and James Starks were unavailable due to injury, and the Packers were in need of a healthy body in the running game. Davis was a perfect fit on paper, and even studied the Packers’ zone-blocking scheme and offense while in college at Arkansas.
Fantasy football fans fought for him, and coach Mike McCarthy said Davis “fits right in.” While few expected Davis to run wild, many pegged him as just the right player to jump start Green Bay’s then-struggling offense.
After only thirteen snaps over two games, Davis was released from the Packers.
While the details of the trade between Green Bay and Kansas City were never fully made known, we can assume Davis’ swift departure – he lasted less than two weeks with the Packers – was because Green Bay was unwilling to part with a draft pick in order to keep Davis on the roster.
His tumultuous season was only beginning, as Davis found himself claimed on waivers by the New York Jets. Less than a day later, the Jets released Davis. He was scooped up by the Chiefs, where he struggled to make the active roster.