On Wednesday night, NFL Network continued with their series of the Top 100 Players of 2015, and we saw another Kansas City Chiefs star in Jamaal Charles. Charles was put at No. 12, ranking just ahead of Julio Jones and right behind Richard Sherman. Charles is the fourth Chiefs players to be on the list, coming in ahead of Tamba Hali (No. 70), Jeremy Maclin (No. 61) and Justin Houston (No. 27).
Next: The greatness of Jamaal Charles
I believe the ranking is fair, although the fact he’s behind DeMarco Murray is hysterical. Murray had a terrific year, but can you imagine if general manager John Dorsey traded Charles for Murray? There would be a riot beyond words, and this site would need someone new to run it because I would be putting my head in the oven.
Charles had what could be considered a down year for him, rushing for 1,033 yards and nine touchdowns while contributing another 291 yards and five touchdowns in the passing game. Charles also averaged 5.0 yards per carry and continued to be one of the best blocking backs in football. Yes, that was actually a down year.
We have reached the point in Charles’ career where he has gone from really good to potentially all-time great. There are plenty of running backs who have a couple of excellent seasons and then flame out, a la Larry Johnson and Chris Johnson. Charles has shown he has the staying power to perhaps one day earn a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
At 28 years old, Charles is the franchise’s all-time leading rusher with 6,856 yards. He has also scored 57 touchdowns on offense and another on special teams, returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers back in 2009. Had Charles not tore his ACL back in Week 2 of the 2011 season, he would likely already be at 8,000 yards for his career, considering he has enjoyed five years of over 1,000 yards in his last six campaigns.
Currently, Charles ranks first all-time in yards per carry with an astonishing 5.5 yards. Frankly, it is one more of the more incredible statistics in football history. Charles also ranks 61st all-time in rushing yards, but if he hits 8,000 this season, he will jump to 50th, assuming Matt Forte gains 300 yards. Getting to 9,000 yards would put him 37th, while 10,000 would vault Charles to right around 30th, depending on a few current players.