Jamaal Charles a free-agent fit for New York Giants?

The Kansas City Chiefs released one of their all-time greats on Tuesday, running back Jamaal Charles. Former Giant and current SB Nation contributor Geoff Schwartz thinks Charles would be a nice addition to the New York Giants.

The view from here? I like Schwartz, and he has always been helpful to me. Here, though, I believe he’s thinking about the old, superstar version of Charles he played with in Kansas City during 2013. He’s not thinking about the old, broken-down Charles who is 30 and has missed most of the last two seasons with knee injuries.

Yes, Charles — like Adrian Peterson — has a resume worthy of Hall of Fame consideration. Yes, his 5.5 yards per carry average is the best career average in NFL history. Yes, he has always been a good receiver. He has 285 career receptions, a career-best 70 during that 2013 season when Schwartz was his teammate.

Yes, Charles wants to play for a contender and the Giants are one. Yes, his skill set fits the Giants’ offense.

Yes, Joel Thorman of SB Nation’s Chiefs web site, Arrowhead Pride, thinks Charles has something left:

What does Jamaal Charles have left? It seems reasonable to think at his age (29) that he has a little bit left in the tank but as a Chiefs fan that has watched him play in just a few games over the past two years it's hard to believe even myself when I say that. I remember one run last year against the Raiders where it looked like he was back with his speed on a 17-yard run. Of course, that was the only play like that he made last year. If you believe he has something left, here's why: contrary to popular belief, Jamaal is not just a speed back. He is much more than that. He is tougher than you think. He can go between the tackles. He can catch the ball. He can pass block. Because he's so versatile, I believe the right coach can still get something out of him over the next couple of years if he's managed well. This is all dependent on his health, of course.

Charles, though, has played just eight games over the past two seasons. He tore the ACL in his right knee in 2015 and played only five games. He played only three in 2016, carrying just 12 times for 40 yards, with his 3.3 yards per carry average being the first time in his career he was below 5.0 yards per carry. He had another knee surgery on finished a second straight season on IR.

There is also this — what does Charles do that Paul Perkins and Shane Vereen do not do? His skill set appears to be pretty much the same, and how diminished his talents are we don’t know. It stands to reason that if the Giants are going to add a running back to the Perkins-Vereen duo they would add someone who brings something different to the table, not one who works out of the same toolbox.

Your thoughts, Giants fans?

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