Pro: Big Play Ability
The New York Giants need a running back who can break into the open field and make plays with tacklers in front of him. If any one thing can be said about Jamaal Charles, it’s that he’s one of the greatest big-play threats in NFL history.
Charles may or may not have explosiveness left in him, but he’s earned a reputation as a borderline unparalleled force to be reckoned with.
Amongst running backs, Charles has the highest career yards per carry average in NFL history at 5.5. That includes the 5.0 yards per carry he averaged in 2014 and the 5.1 he was averaging through five games in 2015.
Charles averaged just 3.3 yards per carry in 2016, however, and there’s reason to question whether or not he can produce in an ideal manner in 2017.
Nevertheless, it’s hard not to be optimistic about a running back who has averaged 5.5 yards per carry during his nine NFL seasons. He’s proven capable of running both between and outside of the tackles, and has rushing touchdowns of 76, 80, and 91 yards.
The Giants need a running back who can move the chains without consistent aid from Eli Manning, and Charles has been that type of player in the past.