Jamaal Charles, RB Texas

[JonJon]

In the Jones or Rice thread, I discussed Jamaal Charles as a draft option for round 2 or round 3 to backup Marion Barber. However, I don't see where he is widely supported on this forum. Is there a reason or a knock against him as a RB? In terms of speed, he may be the fastest RB in the draft. I see Chris Johnson from East Carolina is getting a lot of support, but Charles is faster. Johnson ran a 10.62 in the 100-meter, while Charles ran a 10.23 as a freshman and won the Big-12 title...thats Terrance Newman-type speed, folks.

Here is my write-up from the other thread:

Jamaal Charles - Texas
Height: 6-1. Weight: 200. 40 Time: 4.34.

Strengths: Speed, home run threat, agility, solid interior runner, can break tackles, effective as a receiver, tough runner.
Weaknesses: size, tends to fumble
Comparative running style: Tiki Barber

I didn't always like Charles as an option, but he is really growing on me. Other than his fumbling, I really think this kid has it all. He can power his way inside but also has the speed to get around the corner and take it to the house. His abilities as a receiver make him an even more complete running back. With the blocking scheme that I already discussed, Charles would do a better job than Julius would getting through the running lanes and will make big plays with his speed and moves once he gets into the second level. He would make an excellent partner with Marion as well. Should Marion come out of the game with an injury, Charles should be able to carry the load. IF we can somehow get Charles in the 2nd or even 3rd round, I think we would have a huge steal on our hands.

 

[Doomsday101]

I have and still am a big fan of Charles. I think he would have been better off staying in college because I think he would have increased his value for next year’s draft. Only knock with Charles in my view was his ball handling but he really did a good job of correcting the problem this past season. I would love to see Dallas use their 2nd rd pick to take him

 

[Ren]

doesn't have have a fumbling issue?

 

[Doomsday101]

doesn't have have a fumbling issue?

That is an area he improved greatly on this past season, but yes that was a problem

 

[kevwun]

He had a banged up arm during the worst of his fumbling problem. Once he healed and worked on protecting the ball, it wasn't a problem anymore.

 

[Da Hammer]

Charles is very underrated. he did have a fumble problem but he wasnt completely healthy when he was fumbling and improved by the end of the year. he is so fast its insane and what i loved most about him watching play for my team is that when everyone else was getting tired in the 4th quarter Charles was just getting warmed up. with Barber tiring the defense for the first 3 quarters with his violent physical running style well Charles would have huge 4th quarters for the Cowboys as well. he just doesnt get tired. however he does need to improve running between the tackles a little bit and improve in his pass blocking because it was shaky at times. he has decent hands not great but not bad. Charles will be a steal to any team in the 2nd rd...

 

[joseephuss]

He was not fumbling early this season only due to some arm injury. He has a fumbling problem. He did not have the same arm injury all three years at Texas, yet he put the ball on the ground all three years in school. I think it can be corrected, but it is a real problem that will have to be worked on in the pros.

He also has been prone to some minor nagging injuries all three years in school. Nothing that caused him to miss significant time, but they did hamper his performance from time to time.

He could be a good compliment to Barber, but I don't think Dallas should reach for him in the first two rounds.

 

[The30YardSlant]

The reason he'll be liked round these parts is because he went to Texas. I was baffled when I heard he left early, as could have really used his senior season to improve. He has great speed, but he runs sideline to sideline too much and has fumbilitis. He's also going to score about a 4 on the Wonderlic.

 

[The Panch]

For what it's worth, he greatly improved on his fumbling problem the second half of the season.

 

[tomson75]

He's also going to score about a 4 on the Wonderlic.

You may be giving him too much credit.

 

[The30YardSlant]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cBEDFDhoq8

How anyone can listen to that and even question that cheating is common in college football is beyond me. The fact that he got into a major university is laughable

 

[The Panch]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cBEDFDhoq8

How anyone can listen to that and even question that cheating is common in college football is beyond me. The fact that he got into a major university is laughable

rofl damn

 

[starfrombirth]

I like him, especially after the skills competition on tv. He has fantastic hands! And yes he is incredibly fast. I think his only real problem is between tackles.

 

[jdnoyes]

I'm a big fan of Charles. I think he has as much (or more) speed than Chris Johnson or Felix Jones, but has a bit more wiggle in the hole than either of those guys. He also seems to gain pretty good yards after contact. Of course the fumbling problems are a concern, but he's not the only back in this draft with fumbling issues (McFadden). As far as his wonderlic score, to me RB is one position where a high football intelligence isn't so important. It helps in being in the right place at the right time, and with blocking schemes, but that can be learned. Once a back gets his hands on the ball its all about instinct and talent. Thats one reason why RB is one of the quicker transition positions from college to the Pros. I think he goes somewhere in the early to mid 2nd round, so I would be really happy if this guy lasted to 61 or we trade up or down into round 2 to grab him.

 

[tomson75]

I like him, especially after the skills competition on tv. He has fantastic hands! And yes he is incredibly fast. I think his only real problem is between the ears.

Fixed.

 

[TheCount]

I like Charles, he'd be a good complement to Barber and unlike Rice and possibly Johnson, we wouldn't have to move up in teh 2nd to get him.

 

[Future]

Comparative running style: Tiki Barber

No thanks

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Chale, ese.
Charles played to his max during big, televised games.
That tells me something.
Fumbling. He's certainly not a UT running great like Campbell, Williams or even Young. Receiving and blocking skills are suspect.
Meh.
Nope. However, 6th round ....

 

[Nexx]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cBEDFDhoq8

How anyone can listen to that and even question that cheating is common in college football is beyond me. The fact that he got into a major university is laughable

OMG ROFLMAO!!!! ***, I barely understood two words he said the entire interview!!

 

[TX_Yid]

I like Charles and have watched him alot for UT. A big plus for me is how patient he was to let his blocks develop then pick a hole and shot through it. He has really good elusiveness between the tackles and had a lot of defenders grasping for the air where he just was.

Whether he gets those kind of holes in the NFL is a different matter, I don't see him breaking an above average amoutn of tackles, and given the walls our RBs seem to have to run through I'm not sure he's the guy for us.

Late 2nd round I'd say he's worth a shot though.