NFL Comeback Player Of The Year 2016: Top 10 Candidates
By Neal Lynch
7. RB Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs
Charles was a First-Team All-Pro in 2013 when he led the league with 12 rushing touchdowns, 19 total touchdowns, and was second league-wide with 1,980 yards from scrimmage. Jamaal’s 14 rushing and receiving touchdowns in 2014 were good for third most in the NFL.
Jamaal was averaging 5.13 rushing yards an attempt — but only about 14 carries — through five games in 2015 before he tore his ACL against the Chicago Bears in Week 5 and missed the rest of the season.
NFL.com columnist Jeffri Chadiha noted:
"“In 2013, Charles represented approximately 37 percent of this team’s offensive production. Three years later, he’ll be part of a backfield that benefitted from surprising production out of little-known backs Charcandrick West and Spencer Ware in Charles’ absence. For a four-time Pro Bowler who turns 30 in December — and is coming off the second ACL operation of his career — Charles should do well with more rest and more help.”"
The Chiefs schedule is middle of the pack in terms of toughness and with the a crowded backfield, it might take a lot more for Charles to make his mark. Despite the challenges ahead, Sports Illustrated ranked Charles as the NFL’s fourth best running back, adding:
"“At 100% he is an ideal back for the modern game, a three-down playmaker with more than enough evasiveness and speed to be deadly in the open field. “"
SI also called Jamaal the 7th best fantasy back, noting Charles scored an:
"“average of 16 fantasy points per game in standard-scoring leagues, just 0.3 points behind 2015’s leader, Devonta Freeman… he remains one of the most bankable assets in the fantasy game.”"
Charles has shown progress in his rehab, as evidenced by a video showcasing his lateral movement, but with a new role and less dependence on him for success, his chances of winning the Comeback award are not favorable.
Next: Back to Pro Bowl Form?