Broncos bring in ex-Horn Charles
The all-time rushing leader for Chiefs joins a division rival.
Former Texas Longhorns running back Jamaal Charles, the Kansas City Chiefs’ alltime rushing leader, signed with the AFC West rival Denver Broncos on Tuesday.
“Excited to have Jamaal Charles join the Broncos,” general manager John Elway tweeted upon signing Charles to a one-year, incentive-laden deal. “A great addition to our backfield, and we’re thrilled we won’t have to play against him!”
The Chiefs cut the 30-yearold in a cost-cutting move this winter. He played in just eight games over the last two seasons after tearing his right ACL in October 2015.
Charles ran for 7,260 yards and 43 touchdowns in nine seasons with the Chiefs, who ended Denver’s five-year run as division champs last year.
The new deal is for one year and is worth up to $3.75 million, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
With the move, Charles becomes the latest Chiefs legend to land in Denver. Defensive end Neil Smith, a five-time Pro Bowler with the Chiefs from 1988 to 1996, signed with the Broncos in 1997 and won two Super Bowls.
TheChiefsreleasedCharles, a third-round pick in 2008, in late February after a tremendous nine-year run with the team. His 7,260 yards were nearly 1,200 more than Priest Holmes, another former Longhorns running back.
Charles’ career yards-percarry average of 5.5 ranks first among NFL running backs, ahead of Hall of Famers Jim Brown, 5.2, Gale Sayers, 5.0, and Barry Sanders, 5.0.
The Chiefs gained approximately $6.187 million in cap savings by releasing Charles.
In many ways, the ACL that Charles tore in 2015 was the beginning of the end of his run in Kansas City. He returned for the Chiefs’ Week 4 game last season against Pittsburgh, eventually logging season-highs with 11 touches and 15 snaps in an Oct. 16 win over Oakland.
But Charles’ knee swelled after a practice the following week, and he only logged two snaps Oct. 23 against the Saints. He missed the next game against Indianapolis and visited surgeon James Andrews shortly thereafter, a move that eventually landed him on injured reserve.
Christian McCaffrey, RB, Panthers: This is a great situation for the rookie; Jonathan Stewart is entering his 10th year and McCaffrey has the versatility to take over touches from the other backs on the roster. If what he did in college is any indication, he’ll be starting outright soon enough. McCaffrey will be expected to take a lot of pressure off Cam Newton, likely acting as an outlet in the passing game. Look for him to go in the second or third rounds if he’s taken early. He may end up putting up flex-to-RB2 numbers.
Mike Williams, WR, Chargers: Outside of Keenan Allen, who’s an injury waiting to happen, the Chargers have a lot of mediocre options at
Samaje Perine, RB, Redskins: Matt Jones is still in the doghouse, but Rob Kelley is the likely starter. Perine, formerly of Oklahoma, can be an instant short-yardage and goal-line specialist, which could prove to be valuable for fantasy. He’s got the size to handle a lot of touches, so he may end up as Kelley’s handcuff.
Corey Davis, WR, Titans: Rishard Matthews is their No. 1 wide receiver, but Davis has the opportunity to become the new No. 1. He’ll have a chance to prove himself early, and that’s a big factor for rookie success. He has WR2 potential.
Needing seasoning
Alvin Kamara, RB,
Lamar Miller will be the starter, but he’s had a history of getting run down in the latter part of the season. If Foreman, a former Longhorn, makes a mark early, he can have a solid floor of production, even as a situational back.
Zay Jones, WR, Bills: He can turn into a possession receiver if he can click with Tyrod Taylor early. Sammy Watkins is the best option on the team, but Jones can turn into the No. 2 WR if he can outplay Brandon Tate and Andre Holmes.
ArDarius Stewart, WR, Jets: With Brandon Marshall moving on to the Giants, there’s room for a new playmaker to rise to prominence. Stewart’s ability after the catch can help him carve a role with the Jets, but is Josh McCown going to play well enough for it to matter?