FOXBORO, MA – SEPTEMBER 07: Kareem Hunt #27 of the Kansas City Chiefs stiff arms Duron Harmon #30 of the New England Patriots as he runs for a 4-yard rushing touchdown during the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 7, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
NFLBy Matt Yoder on

When Kareem Hunt was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round with the 86th overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft, hopes were high that he could be a breakout rookie star. He was called the “steal of the draft” in some corners before the event even took place and was highly touted by the likes of Pro Football Focus as someone who could start as an every-down back right away.

Hunt put up some decent numbers as a collegiate player at Toledo, totaling almost 5,000 rushing yards and and 44 TDs in his career with the Rockets. Hunt was a two-time First Team selection in the MAC, but while those numbers are impressive, we all know #MACtion is not all about three yards and a cloud of dust.

But even the most optimistic and biggest fans of Hunt and the Chiefs could have never dreamed of the start to his career that is currently going down as one of the best in NFL history.

Right now Hunt leads the NFL in rushing yards at 133.7 per game (almost 40 more yards per game more than the next closest running back), 8.5 yards per carry, and 4 TDs.

The rookie runner burst onto the scene with 256 total yards to lead the Chiefs to a road victory over the Patriots on opening night. After 109 total yards and 2 TDs against the Eagles, he then demolished the Chargers with 172 yards on 17 carries. That included another highlight reel play with this 69 yard touchdown run that iced another victory late in the fourth quarter.

The numbers through three games for Hunt are just astounding. Have a look below at some of the most impressive stats that the rookie running back has already racked up through just three games.

* Hunt is the first rookie to gain 100 yards from scrimmage in his first three games since Matt Forte of the Bears almost ten years ago.

* The Chiefs rookie sensation also has the second most yards from scrimmage in his first three games in NFL history with 538. Hunt is on pace for 2,869 yards from scrimmage this year, which would shatter the NFL record of Chris Johnson (2,509 set in 2009).

* Hunt is the first player in NFL history to have a 50+ yard TD in each of his first three games. It’s the first time a running back has achieved that feat in an entire season since Adrian Peterson in 2012. Did I mention that Hunt has done it in less than one quarter of the season thus far?

* Even more impressive is the fact that he’s surpassed Hall of Fame running backs like Eric Dickerson, Jerome Bettis, and Curtis Martin with that big play total. THROUGH THREE CAREER GAMES!!!

It’s unrealistic to expect Hunt to keep this up, but right now at least he’s on pace for one of the greatest offensive seasons in NFL history.

Good night.

It’s not realistic for Hunt to reach quite those lofty totals, but there’s no reason to see why he or the Chiefs should slow down significantly. A road win at New England was the perfect start to the season and with Alex Smith as accurate as ever, teams aren’t going to be able to stack the box against Hunt. Smith is off to an insane statistical start as well with a 77% completion percentage and 132.7 QB Rating thanks to 7 TDs and 0 INTs through three games. Those first two numbers would also rewrite the NFL record books. Not a bad time to be a Chiefs fan, isn’t it?

About Matt Yoder

View all posts by Matt Yoder