Should You Add Carson Steele or Samaje Perine on the Fantasy Football Waiver Wire?

The Kansas City Chiefs have placed Clyde Edwards-Helaire on the non-football illness list. This transaction will force Edwards-Helaire to miss Week 1-4, leaving a hole in the Chiefs’ backfield. Behind Isiah Pacheco, the Chiefs only have Samaje Perine and Carson Steele, making us question who is the best handcuff and fantasy football asset in 2024.

Both players bring different skill sets to the field, and choosing the right player within this potent offense can help elevate our rosters for the first four weeks and perhaps the season. Let’s break down Steele’s fantasy value compared to Perine’s and guide you to the correct decision.

Is Carson Steele or Samaje Perine the Better Option To Add in Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s Absence?

Let’s begin with the rookie, as we have less tape and research on the young undrafted running back. Steele brings a size to the game that only a few running backs possess. He stands at 6’1″ and 225 pounds.

Steele is no home-run hitter, but he will give your team short-yardage situational victories that allow your team to wear down the defense slowly. He was an above-average running back regarding yards after contact; he recorded 3.85 yards on average after contact in college.

Steele showed he was a solid all-around running back, as PFF shows he graded above 75 in his three college seasons. According to Pete Sweeney, a Kansas City beat reporter for Arrowhead Pride, his all-around talent could be utilized this season. He stated that Steele could be utilized to spell Pacheco in short-yardage situations and at the goal line.

Steele brings a dominant presence to the field, but his physicality will be used more like a fullback and a “spell” running back as long as Pacheco is healthy and on the field.

TruMedia shows us that Perine could dominate his position while playing within a weaker offense. He was 18th overall in targets among running backs with 56. He recorded 50 receptions (14th) while creating the seventh-highest receiving yards with 455. Within those receptions, he produced the third-most yards per reception with 9.1 yards while having the ninth-best total yards after the catch with 462.

Perine will fill the role left by recently retired Jerick McKinnon, who was tied for the third-most receiving touchdowns among running backs in 2023.

We would be best chasing the veteran who dominated the majority of the statistical categories rather than a rookie with the same skill set as a starter. Andy Reid will utilize Perine within this potent offense. With all the extra pass catchers for the defense to focus on, Patrick Mahomes can dump the ball off to Perine and allow him to create havoc with his playmaker ability after the catch.

Perine could help elevate our rosters for the first four weeks. However, his style of play can be helpful the entire season within one of the best offenses in the league. Pacheco, barring injury, will be the first option out of the backfield. With the Chiefs understanding Perine’s ability to pass block and catch the ball, he will surely see the field in two-minute drills and third-down play calls.