Jamaal Charles (RB, DEN) - Week 5 Waiver Wire Pickups

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ANALYSIS: following a disappointing 2016 strife with injuries and the inability to remain on the field, the Kansas City Chiefs parted ways with longtime offensive superstar Jamaal Charles. At 30 years old and past his prime, the move appeared to signal the end of the running back’s career. This past May, however, the Denver Broncos took a chance on him and Charles has managed to stay healthy. He flashed signs of some gas left in the tank during the preseason, and despite CJ Anderson being the clear top man in the Denver running game, he’s managed to carve out his spot on the team.

Thus far in the 2017 season, Charles has played in each of Denver’s four games and has recorded one run of at least 12 yards in each game. Broncos coach Vance Joseph has expressed his excitement with the veteran’s play, explaining that Charles was “close to making some big plays for us”. After seeing at least nine carries in each game, he saw a decrease this week against the Raiders, but managed to make a catch for 14 yards, his biggest reception of the season.

Moving forward, Charles will continue to be a force behind CJ Anderson in the Broncos backfield. Clearly holding the trust of the team coach, look for him to continue seeing steady action and increasing chances for scoring plays. Don’t look for Charles to be a top option as running back, but he can be a terrific option off the bench, especially for his team’s next game. After a bye week, the Broncos will host the New York Giants, who have seen their struggles stopping the running game.