Jamaal Charles vs. Cedric Benson

[tman570]

Noticed the Early bird ranking had these two right next to each other. In a 10 team, keep 4, PPR league. My other keepers are locked up, just wanted thoughts on who you would keep between these two. Most rankings have Benson as a higher back going into contract year but he may miss a few games. Charles is young (i.e. good for my keeper league) and looked great when he was starting last year. I think I might go with youth and potential, over trouble and slightly older RB but am having a tough time with this one.

[Ronak]

You said you had your other keepers lined up, who are they? If going purely as a low end #1, I'd have to go with Jamaal Charles. If you have other solid backs lined up that can overcome the drop in catches, I'd go with Benson. Benson is on a run first team, gets goal line carries and has NO competition for the gig. Thomas Jones will steal some carries from Charles(though probably not many). My biggest concern is if they use Jones as the goal line back. Charlie Weis loves to run his backs inside the 5. Look at the Patriot super Bowl teams, I believe they ran the ball almost 70% of the time inside the 10 yard line.

Personal projections

Charles: 225 carries; 1,075yds; 45 rec; 284yds; 10TDs total

Benson: 290 carries; 1,140yds; 17 rec; 110yds; 7TDds Total

[Cameron10483]

regardless of your other backs, in a ppr league I'd keep Charles over Benson any day of the week.

[tman570]

Other keepers are Adrian Peterson, Randy Moss, and Calvin Johnson so pretty solid first 3. After reading some other threads I am trying to package Moss and Charles/Benson for Andre Johnson. If that does not pan out I will lean towards Charles. After looking at Benson's numbers (total fantasy points) they are not as good as Charles when he got the carries in KC.

Fantasy Points Breakdown for BENSON
Wk Date Opp Att Yds TD Fum Pts
1 09/13/09 DEN 21 76 1 0 25
2 09/20/09 @GB 29 141 0 0 19.9
3 09/27/09 PIT 16 76 1 0 18.3
4 10/04/09 @CLE 18 74 0 0 13.2
5 10/11/09 @BAL 27 120 1 0 27
6 10/18/09 HOU 16 44 1 0 15.7
7 10/25/09 CHI 37 189 1 0 32.3
8 BYE - - - - - -
9 11/08/09 BAL 34 117 1 0 24.5
10 11/15/09 @PIT 7 22 0 0 3.6
11* 11/22/09 @OAK - - - - -
12* 11/29/09 CLE - - - - -
13 12/06/09 DET 36 110 0 0 21.7
14 12/13/09 @MIN 16 96 0 0 14.2
15 12/20/09 @SD 15 53 0 0 12.2
16 12/27/09 KC 29 133 0 0 21.8
17* 01/03/10 @NYJ - - - - -
* Indicates player did not play that week

Fantasy Points Breakdown for Charles
Wk Date Opp Att Yds TD Fum Pts
1 09/13/09 @BAL 4 8 0 0 8.5
2* 09/20/09 OAK - - - - -
3 09/27/09 @PHI 6 36 0 0 11.2
4 10/04/09 NYG 2 24 0 1 0.8
5 10/11/09 DAL 3 9 0 0 11.9
6 10/18/09 @WAS 4 6 0 0 2.6
7 10/25/09 SD 4 33 0 0 5.2
8 BYE - - - - - -
9 11/08/09 @JAC 6 36 0 0 11.7
10 11/15/09 @OAK 18 103 1 0 25.3
11 11/22/09 PIT 17 58 0 0 18
12 11/29/09 @SD 14 93 1 1 24.5
13 12/06/09 DEN 18 56 1 1 14.5
14 12/13/09 BUF 20 143 1 0 35.1
15 12/20/09 CLE 25 154 1 0 30
16 12/27/09 @CIN 24 102 0 0 20.2
17 01/03/10 @DEN 25 259 2 0 44.2

Near the end of season last year Charles was putting in some big numbers. I really think Charles has more potential to breakout over Benson long term despite Jones being there to vulture some TD's.

Based on your projections

Charles 225 carries x.2 = 45 1075 yds x.1 = 107.5 45 rec x1 = 45 284 yds x.1 28.4 10 td's x6 = 60 = 285.9 Season points
Benson 290 carries x.2 = 58 1140 yds x.1 = 114 17 rec x1 = 17 110 yrd x.1 11 7 td's x 6 =42 = 242 Season points

Also were your numbers factoring in the looming suspension for Benson?

Thanks

[Ronak]

As far as I can tell there isn't supposed to be a suspension for Benson. We'll have to see once, he meets with Goodell today.

[latsprewell20002000]

I would go Charles as well. I mean look what he did last year. Hes going to get the chance to do that again. And if you are like me and dont think it was a fluke then no reason he cant do it again and for a whole year. Sure T Jones is there now but that could be a good thing too. Charles is the man on that team now not Jones. They already went out and said that Charles is the centerpiece to the team. Charles and by a fair amount.

[Ronak]

You are correct with Charles having better second half numbers. My rebuttal is to look at the opponents.

10 11/15/09 @OAK 18 103 1 0 25.3....I could run for 110 against Oak.
11 11/22/09 PIT 17 58 0 0 18...not the best day
12 11/29/09 @SD 14 93 1 1 24.5..SD had a horrible def last year, look what the Jets did to them in the playoffs.
13 12/06/09 DEN 18 56 1 1 14.5..see Oak but not quiet as bad.
14 12/13/09 BUF 20 143 1 0 35.1...just EWWWW!!
15 12/20/09 CLE 25 154 1 0 30...JUST EWWW!!!!
16 12/27/09 @CIN 24 102 0 0 20.2...Umm, playoffs? Yeah terrible against the run lat e in the year.
17 01/03/10 @DEN 25 259 2 0 44.2...neither anything to play for plus a terrible run D.

Not saying to choose Benson, just look at all the facts.

[tman570]

Agreed, Charles might have faced a soft schedule but I think he has more talent than Benson. I have made my decision, thanks for everyone's responses and insight.

[tman570]

BUMP

I wanted to see what the community thought about how TO's arrival in Cinci affects Benson's value. (I think it should be a plus for Benson) Being a keeper league I think Charles could develop into a solid RB2 and possibly break out (he is much younger than Benson). I am most likely sticking to my decision on retaining Charles but let me know if you disagree with that move.

Thanks.

[Stelly]

Absoluteley stay with Charles, especially in a PPR. He has much more upside than Benson, and you already have a stud @ RB with Peterson. Keep Charles - he's a solid RB2 at worst.

Good luck, and please see mine:

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