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Is Jamaal Charles one of the top players in the NFL?
Whoops. Almost forgot who I was talking to. Of course fans on a Kansas City Chiefs blog believe Jamaal Charles is one of the best players in the NFL. Is he one of the top 101 players in the NFL? Or how about one of the seven best running backs in the NFL? The answer to those questions, according to Pro Football Focus, is no.
PFF ranked the top 101 players of 2012 and Charles is not listed. But these seven running backs are:
2. Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings
18. C.J. Spiller, RB, Buffalo Bills
38. Alfred Morris, RB, Washington Redskins
40. Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seattle Seahawks
71. Frank Gore, RB, San Francisco 49ers
88. Doug Martin, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
92. Ray Rice, RB, Baltimore Ravens
Only three of those players -- Peterson, Morris and Lynch -- rushed for more yards last year than Charles. I get that the Chiefs were terrible but I think Charles needs to be listed somewhere on here. Shouldn't he?
Update: PFF responds...
Jamaal Charles, our top ranked rusher in 2010. Last year, as many TDs as fumbles & 42.3% of his yards came on 19 carries. Still a good year.
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) May 7, 2013
End update
Among those Chiefs who did make it ... Derrick Johnson. Yep, just one Chief on the list. Here's what PFF said about DJ, who they ranked No. 67 in the NFL:
While the Chiefs suffered a disappointing 2012, it wasn't for the efforts of Johnson. As impactful against the run as any defender in the league, Johnson was as good as it gets finding his way to the ballcarrier. Whether he be working through traffic or shedding blocks, it was an exhibition of what makes a great run defender in the 3-4.
More reading:
Predicting the Chiefs offensive starters
Predicting the defensive starters