Would more carries slow Jamaal Charles down?
Our friends over at Pro Football Focus have a great new article out taking a look at the best five running backs over the last five years.
Our boy Jamaal Charles came in at No. 2. Only Vikings RB Adrian Peterson bested him.
I think we can all agree that Adrian Peterson is the best running back in the NFL but it is nice to see PFF recognize that Charles has been right there at the top for a few years now.
"2. Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs (+42.8)In 2009 and 2010, the man who led our PFF Run Rating was Jamaal Charles. After getting drafted by the Chiefs in 2008, Charles began to break out at the end of his sophomore season with 656 yards in his last four games. His 2010 season was one to remember after he averaged 6.5 rushing yards per attempt over the course of the entire season which led to a playoff appearance.An injury held him to just 34 snaps in 2011, and in 2012 he had a mix of excellent 200-plus yard performances mixed with five games of 40 rushing yards or less. Over the five years, his 5.8 yards per carry is by far the highest for all backs. His season and a half of dominance is enough to make him the second-best runner over the last five years, and a strong finish to 2012 gives reason to believe he has a chance to return to that form."
PFF is spot on here. No RB has come close to matching the dominance of Peterson but Charles has also been spectacular. His career average is unbelievable and at just 26, the Chiefs back likely has a few more years of production before he begins to decline.
What do you think, Addicts? Do you agree that Charles is the No. 2 RB in the NFL over the last five years?