Jamaal Charles Fantasy Football Jabber

Kansas City Chiefs starting Running Back, Jamaal Charles is one of the question marks going into the 2010 season. Some picture him as the next fantasy football stud while others question his grip on the starting job in KC. In 2009 he did not see single digit carries after week ten and was a sleeper stud for owners down the stretch, especially if they had week 17 title games when he posted 259 yards and two TDs against the Broncos. He will not be sneaking up on anyone this season though.

While his current Average Draft Position lands him in the early third round, his believers are not hesitating to pull the first round trigger.  For example, Fantasy Sharks Radio took Charles #9 overall in this Experts Draft. One of the major upsides that owners notice is his value in leagues that reward points per reception. Even without the reception points, his big play ability is going to cause some owners to go after him early, are you one of them? Make up your mind before your draft, you are either a believer or not.

Things to consider, the Chiefs brought in Thomas Jones. On one side some may not be worried as the elder Jones comes in. On the other you have to keep in mind that Jones wasn’t available because his skills and ability have diminished, the Jets were moving in a different, cheaper direction. In addition to Jones, the Chiefs drafted WR/RB/KR/Hot Dog Guy Dexter McCluster, who is bound to take some touches away.

There are running backs that are successful all the time when they share carries. Charles may be just fine, but if the Chiefs decided to ride the hot back you have to remember that Thomas Jones tends to get hot when everyone else thinks he cooled down.

Taking those things into consideration it comes down to if you are a believer or not, as mentioned. If he makes it past the first round, it isn’t likely he is going to fall much past the early third round. Personally, we are not going to make him our first guy drafted.

At the time of this little capsule, Charles is ranked #15 in our Running Back Redraft Rankings

Year	Gm	Ru-Att	Ru-yds	Ave	R-TD	Rec	Re-yds	Ave	Re-TD	Fan pts
2009	15	190	1120	5.9	7	40	297	7.4	1	189.7
2008	16	67	357	5.3	0	27	272	10.1	1	68.9
2007	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA