Jamaal Charles
Jamaal Charles holds a very special place in the hearts of fans in Chiefs Kingdom. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft out of the University of Texas. A small prospect from a major program, Charles had overcome much in his life to that point. Yet, his success was just beginning.
Charles first season with the Chiefs was largely one to forget. He was an afterthought in the team’s offensive scheme as a backup to then starter, and number three on our list, Larry Johnson. Even so, he posted some impressive stats with 5.3 yards per carry and 10.1 yards per reception. These were just whispers of what was to come, with Charles becoming arguably the most dynamic running back in the NFL over the next several seasons.
While he struggled with injury for a number of years in his prime, five of his next six seasons were transcendent. Removing his 2011 season, which he missed due to injury, from 2009 to 2014 Charles averaged 280 touches for nearly 1,700 yards from scrimmage and 16 touchdowns. During this stretch he was voted to the Pro Bowl four out of five seasons and named First Team All Pro in 2010 and 2013.
Charles career was unfortunately marred on the front end by below average teams and on the back end by season-ending injuries. Even so, he finished his career with the Chiefs as the all-time leading rusher beating out Priest Holmes by only 11 carries but a whopping 1,190 yards. Maybe more impressive, he is currently first all-time in yards per carry by a running back in the modern era with 5.4 yards per carry.
For many years, Charles was the victim of a bad franchise. He’s number one on this list because even while being the main focus of opposing defenses, with little help around him, he was still nearly unstoppable.
If he had been a bigger benefactor of the Andy Reid era, or if he had run behind the offensive line of our number two running back, I think it’s likely Charles would be regarded as one of the greatest running back in NFL history.