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Larry Johnson's time as the starting running back for the Kansas City Chiefs may not be officially over, but it's close.
After Johnson's snide comments on twitter about his coach and situation with the team, he has been suspended for at least one game.
That game will be this weekend against the Jacksonville Jaguars, and running back Jamaal Charles will get the start.
This season Charles is averaging five yards per carry but has only accumulated 23 carries on the season. In Charles' rookie campaign a season ago, he averaged 5.3 yards per carry on a total of 67 carries.
Can Jamaal Charles Take Over?
While Charles is a speed runner and can make big plays, I'm not sold that he will be a fantasy success long term. This particular week Charles has a solid matchup and should help fantasy owners.
In the future we will have to see if Charles is capable of playing effective football when the team faces stiffer competition.
Another knock I see on Charles is that we don't know if this kid can handle the load 20-plus times a game. His body structure indicates that he would be better served as a slash and dash type of runner.
That style of play can work, but Charles will have to continue his strong yard per carry average in order to do that.
Beyond Charles' speed, I also like his ability to catch the football out of the backfield. This season he has 14 receptions in limited duty. Last year he had 27 receptions and a touchdown.
Because Charles is a fast runner, it's not surprising that his career yards per catch is a solid 9.6.
Fantasy Football Outlook for Jamaal Charles
At this time, Charles makes for a solid waiver wire pickup and is worth starting this week against the Jaguars. Next week, if Charles continues to start, he will make for another solid play as the Chiefs take on the Raiders.
As far as the future goes, his success will be based on if he can handle the load week in and week out.
NFL Fantasy Football Player Rankings writer Sean E. Douglas: fantasy-info.com
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