Fantasy Football Week 2: Why Benching Jamaal Charles Is Smart, Risky Idea

One of the most valuable attributes a fantasy football GM can have is flexibility.

Sometimes, a player destined to ride the pine most of the season has a matchup too good to pass up, and other times, a first-round draft pick has the odds stacked against him and would be better served not starting for your team that week.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles looks to be entering that latter category of players heading into the team's Week 2 matchup against the Detroit Lions.

In the Chiefs' Week 1 41-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills, Charles scored the team's lone touchdown but was held to just 10 carries for 56 yards and five catches for nine yards.

Those low rushing numbers are a testament to the Chiefs' need to take it to the air while playing from behind, but they were just as unsuccessful at passing the ball as they were running it.

This week, the Chiefs take on a greater test when they face the Lions. Detroit's defensive line is one of the best in the NFL, and they will likely have success not just stopping Matt Cassel's passing game for a second week, but stuffing the run as well.

In their Week 1 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Lions held the team to just 56 yards rushing, with a meager 30 yards coming from three running backs (the remaining 26 came from quarterback Josh Freeman, who ran with the ball four times).

It is probable that the Chiefs' offensive struggles, which dates back to the preseason, will continue this week. With that, I believe that Charles may be held to yet another low-scoring fantasy week.

I know it is difficult to suggest benching one of the highest-drafted fantasy players of the year, especially in the second week of the season. And for most of Charles' owners, it might not even be an option depending on the rest of the backs on their respective rosters.

But, if you have reasonable depth at the running back position, consider sitting Charles this week. Sometimes the unpopular decision is the right one, and you need to have the flexibility—and the guts—to make it.