In the months leading up to your fantasy football drafts, clarity and conviction are of the utmost importance! Of course, there is no better way to hone your opinions than to argue with someone until you’re blue in the face! In this inaugural edition of Fantasy Football Feud, writers Eric Wolf and Heath Washburn go head-to-head on whether or not Jamaal Charles is worthy of a top 3 pick. Pick a side and let us know who you agree with by liking or retweeting the “winner”!
Alright Heath my friend, as much as I like your argument that Charles is too high in our 2015 LWOS Mock Draft …. It is time for you to be shredded.
When you speak of the 2013 Jamaal Charles season as if it were an aberration, I must wonder if you have seen this guy play. There are very few players gracing the stage today that can score a touchdown from anywhere on the field. Charles is that guy. He has great vision and patience (you can say that about most great runners) but his ability to see the hole and burst through it is unmatched. Once Charles has a head of steam going… The defense should just bring on the extra point team, cause you aren’t catching this guy.
The Chiefs had a freakishly inadequate offensive attack in 2014; for the most part entirely relying on the running game to move the ball down the field. As you mentioned, “Zero touchdowns” to receivers, is a stat that hindered Charles’ production far more than helped. With defenses having no worries in the red zone other than Charles, they simply crowd the line of scrimmage to stop the run. That being said, Andy Reid is a smart coach with a high acumen for offensive weaponry. Many mock experts have the Chiefs replacing safety Eric Berry on draft day. I have a suspicion they are going to bring in a guy like WR Dorial Green-Beckham (who will move up by April) for a deep threat to allow Charles to see more open looks.
With many fantasy running backs you are hoping the offense finds ways to get him involved. With Charles, you pray they will bring ANYONE else there to open up the field… Which is why I am glad you brought up Travis Kelce. This is the man that will truly open up Charles in 2015. Kelce is a physically gifted mother trucker. His size and power matched with soft hands and great route running must be locked on to, and accounted for on every play. Next year he will be demanding some double, and bracket coverage’s as he evolves into an all around tight end (It is a very difficult position to learn, knowing when to block or run a route, or both, is pivotal). This will ultimately lead to more amazing Jamaal Charles runs.
Your argument to take Bell or Forte ahead of Charles is sound, especially in PPR; although Bell’s suspension situation for puffing the magic dragon (preseason of 2014) is of concern. If Bell is to miss 2 games I will take Charles.
John Fox in Chicago is to be watched. He likes a 2 back system. K. Carey is a second year guy there that will be looking to make a name for him self. I still like Forte ahead of Charles but it should be monitored.
Lacy is a great pick, and it is possible he will score more points than Charles in 2015. Yet, the Packers can score 45 points with Lacy touching it 5 times. The Chiefs can’t score 10 points without Charles touching it 12 times. Opportunity for touches (as mentioned before) is often the most desired attribute in our number one back. Charles will get his touches.
DeMarco Murray (as much as love this guy) just has too many question marks right now. Does he leave Big D? Will he make it through 16 more games? Is he that good with out that O-line? I will take Charles every time over Murray until his situation is solidified.
Finally to address the biggest concern to Charles’ status in 2015, and that is the emergence of Knile Davis. Davis is no slouch. He is not just some change of pace back that gives Charles rest. This guy can play. So he will take a few touchdowns away from Charles. It would be my advice to reach higher than you might normally to handcuff Davis to Charles. Jamaal Charles is the main man in Kansas City. He will see the ball more than anyone else in that system. Adding play makers around Charles only adds to his value where it would typically diminish a running backs ranking. Charles is the man. He will finish as a top 3 fantasy football running back in 2015…. justifying this pick…. Meaning I win.
If you agree with me LIKE this article. If you disagree, check out the counter-argument from staff writer Heath Washburn and LIKE his article.
– Eric Wolf, Staff Writer
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