9 Fantasy Football Studs Who Started Slow in Week 1: Will They Rebound?

Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs

Last year’s top non-quarterback scoring leader in fantasy football was held to 11 total touches and 34 yards in his contest with the Titans. As of today, Denard Robinson has a higher Rushing Net Expected Points (NEP) than Jamaal Charles. While it’s far too early to say his season will be a bust, there were major red flags from this game against a defense that ranked just 19th against the run in 2013 according to our metrics.

Simply put, Jamaal Charles is the lone playmaker on a team with questions on the offensive line and a quarterback who can’t stretch the field. Teams will continue to game plan to eliminate Charles, and unless someone else on that offense steps up, it will be tough sledding this season.

Frankie Hammond and Donnie Avery aren’t scaring anyone, and without dominant offensive line play, Charles simply has little room to operate. The return of Dwayne Bowe next week should help open things up, but the doubt has started to creep in for owners praying for another dominant season.

Recommendation: It’s far too early to consider making any changes, but it would be foolish to not recognize the issues around him. The Chiefs are a team on the downswing, and their dysfunction has the potential to drag Charles down with them. He is a hold for now.