By: Jake Rajala

The Kansas City Chiefs selected Jamaal Charles 73rd overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. The former Texas RB wasn’t a star in his rookie season (629 total yards and 1 RRTD in 16 games), but it was clear that he proved to be a major steal for the Chiefs in his second season: 1,120 rushing yds, 5.9 YPC, and 8 RRTD. Charles climbed the ladder in his third season, as he unveiled a magical, All-Pro season. The blistering quick Chiefs RB ran for 1,467 yards, 6.4 YPC, and even recorded 468 receiving yds in 2010.

Charles would make the Pro Bowl in 2012, 2013 (including an All-Pro spot), and 2014. Charles would oust a career-best 19 total touchdowns in 2013 while recording a personal best 1,980 total yards. It was clear that Charles was a Top-3 RB and the Chiefs were able to maximize his ability in the rushing/receiving game.

Unfortunately, Charles went from a blockbuster RB to an injury-riddled RB that lost his spark after the 2014 season. On October 12th of 2015, Charles suffered his second torn ACL in his career. The Chiefs oddly lost one game after Charles tore his ACL in 2015.

Charles was an aging RB that suffered multiple ACL injuries and it was clear that a gifted RB like Charles couldn’t re-discover utterly explosive ability at that point. Charles wasn’t able to register 300+ rushing yds in 2016, 2017, or 2018.

Charles would end his mystical career as a Chief on May 1st, 2019. He signed a one-day contract with the organization that drafted him and then took one last carry from Patrick Mahomes on the practice field after the ceremony. It seems clear that Charles will join the Chiefs ring of honor in the future.

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By: Jake Rajala

In 2011, the Kansas City Chiefs made one of their draft picks in Chiefs history, and they unequivocally landed one of the best third-round draft choices of all time in Justin Houston. The Chiefs fearless pass-rusher made four straight Pro Bowls from 2012-to 2015 while notching an All-Pro spot in 2014 (22 sacks in 2014).

Houston exited Chiefs territory after the 2018 season and fled to IND. He would play two seasons in Indianapolis and then fight for a new AFC contender in Baltimore last season. There is no secret that Houston is an aging defender (33 years old) and he may only have a few seasons left in the tank. With that said, I believe it’s worth reflecting on the previous magic and resume of Houston. Furthermore, I’m going to untwine if he is on a path to Canton.

Well, Houston has been a mythical Chiefs figure. Yet, it’s clear that the NFL HOF is a different animal than the Chiefs ring of honor. For example, the legend OLB Demarcus Ware wasn’t a first-ballot HOF, but he is surely a future HOF. He unleashed 138.5 career sacks, nine Pro Bowl selections, four All-Pro teams, and he has a Super Bowl ring.

It’s safe to say that Ware unveiled has noticeably more impressive accolades than Houston’s career output. Although, it should be noted that Houston has had four seasons of 8+ sacks that didn’t equate to Pro Bowl glory.

I believe another fascinating, younger comparison for Houston is the Saints 2011 draft pick Cameron Jordan. Jordan has very similar overall production as Houston. The Saints pass rusher has 107 career sacks, while Houston has 102 career sacks. They both also only have one All-Pro team. Although, Jordan has three more Pro Bowl honors than Houston and he was named to the 2010 decade team (while Houston was not given a spot).

I feel like Cam needs a couple of Pro Bowl seasons (or SB ring) to cement himself as a future HOF. With that said, I believe that Houston’s outlook for Canton doesn’t look promising. I feel like he has been close to garnering a DPOY award and numerous extra Pro Bowl awards, but he hasn’t quite ousted top-tier on enough occasions. If Houston wants to be cast in football paradise, I believe he will need to have two-three more Pro Bowl seasons including a Super Bowl ring on a squad like LA to finish his career as a football god.

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