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2017 NFL Free Agency: 49ers Should Sign Jamaal Charles

By Logan Stanley

Oct 4, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (25) looks on from the sidelines in the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 36-21. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (25) looks on from the sidelines in the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 36-21. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Even after the wave of free-agent signings, the San Francisco 49ers still have an ample amount of cap space. That, combined with need for depth at the running back position, let’s look at why the 49ers should sign Jamaal Charles.

The San Francisco 49ers were one of the most active teams in free agency this offseason.

General manager John Lynch made good on his promise to the 49ers fans to “stay awake” during the first week of free agency with the additions of 16 players.

Fortunately, the 49ers still own the most cap space in the NFL –$71 million, per Spotrac.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

This doesn’t mean go out, overreach and overpay for more players. But, that much room in cap space does provide some flexibility and insurance against a signing some might view as ‘risky.’

This is why the 49ers should sign free agent running back Jamaal Charles, a position where depth is needed.

With running back Shaun Draughn signing with the New York Giants, the state of the 49ers’ running back position is worrisome after starter Carlos Hyde. Based on our very own Akash Anavarathan’s projected 2017 depth chart for San Francisco, Mike Davis and Raheem Mostert are slotted as the Nos. 2 and 3 running backs.

Are those backs head coach Kyle Shanahan feels fine pairing with Hyde in the offense? Does Shanahan believe that those two are backs who will add another dynamic to the offense? Is Shanahan comfortable riding with those two if Hyde goes down with an injury?

And that’s a very real possibility as well, considering the injury history of the Ohio State product.

I don’t think Shanahan truly believes in Davis and Mostert as efficient options in the offense. Sufficient maybe, but not efficient.

We saw the success of the two-back system in Atlanta with Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman. Freeman and Coleman, both dual threats, were one of the most potent duos in the league. With the addition of Jamaal Charles, Shanahan would be able to emulate that tandem.

This is the current crop of notable free agent running backs: Adrian Peterson, James Starks, Rashad Jennings, DeAngelo Williams, Chris Johnson and LeGarrette Blount. Smaller names like Tim Hightower, Benny Cunningham, Justin Forsett and Reggie Bush remain.

Out of the crop, Charles is arguably the best option left, the other being Peterson. Yes, Charles is coming off an injury-plagued season. But reports have it the 30-year-old’s knee is “technically considered healthy,” as reported in CBS Sports. It appears that Charles will be ready to go for the start of the 2017 season.

Why would the 49ers want to sign an aging-back with two injured knees? Well, Charles has already shown the capability to bounce back from knee injuries. And when healthy, he’s been of one of the best running backs during his tenure:

Charles’ explosiveness and ability to catch the ball out of the backfield would be a welcome addition in San Francisco. With Hyde’s bruising running ability, the two would be a complement of one another. If Hyde were to get hurt, Charles is a competent replacement.

And considering the market for Charles, which has been bare, the 49ers could most likely get the former Kansas City running back for cheap.

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Ironically enough, Charles’ highest similarity score is with Shaun Draughn (87.1 percent), per Spotrac. Draughn is coming off a season where he earned $860,000. Robert Turbin (80.8 percent) is the second highest similarity score, and Turbin is set to earn $1.3 million this season.

If the 49ers can get Charles on a reasonable deal close to that range, than the risk really is minimal. San Francisco would still have plenty of room in cap space even after signing him to a hypothetical two-year, $4 million deal.

At that rate, the reward outweighs the risk.

Next: Just How Bad Things Could Have Been for the 49ers this Offseason

Even after the slew of signings, there is still work needed to be done on this roster.

There’s a hole behind Carlos Hyde at running back and the 49ers would be wise to address that need in the most economical sense.