Top 100 all-time Kansas City Chiefs moments: 75-51

KANSAS CITY, MO – DECEMBER 21: Jamaal Charles #25 of the Kansas City Chiefs carries the ball during the game against the Miami Dolphins on December 21, 2008 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

53: Chiefs draft Jamaal Charles (2008)

At the time, nobody knew just how big this was going to be for the franchise. We were still riding pretty high on Larry Johnson, who wasn’t yet known as “2.7.” He was still the franchise running back who was carrying the offense. The only setback had been injury, and Johnson had just been re-signed to a huge deal. Jamaal Charles was largely viewed as nothing more than a third-round pick backup known for his speed.

How wrong almost everyone was. As Johnson began to unravel, Charles began to step up and showcase talent that very few knew he had. His speed and elusiveness was too much for opposing defenses. Fast forward a couple years and we are now talking about a player whose numbers put him in the elite company of Jim Brown, Barry Sanders, and Mercury Morris in terms of yards per carry.

Charles has essentially become the heart of the franchise. Easily one of the most beloved players in Chiefs history, no player generates more inspiration than the man who has been a full one third of the team’s offense over the past couple of seasons.

Next: No. 52