Former Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles once again linked to the Packers

Down Eddie Lacy and now with Adrian Peterson in New Orleans to become a Saint, leaving one less veteran running back on the market, the Packers remain at a standstill in their backfield.

Making an appearance to discuss the workout video recently posted by former Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles' agent, NFL.com reporter Mike Garafolo said Tuesday on NFL Network that Charles was still being linked to several teams. One of them being the Packers.

"I know there's been some chatter about (Charles) potentially joining the Green Bay Packers."

Garafolo essentially confirmed the rumors spread throughout the month of March after Charles was released by the Chiefs at the end of February. It wouldn't be the strangest of signings considering the Packers brought in social media pariah Martellus Bennett and he ended up with a deal, however, would it make sense?

Charles tore the ACL in his left knee in 2011 and then the ACL in his right knee four years later. Ready to bounce back in 2016, his comeback was shortened due to complications with his right meniscus and ultimately, he finished his season injured reserve.

Between his troublesome impairments, Charles put together a triple-threat string of 1,000-yard seasons from 2012 through 2014. He was paid as a top-five running back and he was producing like one without any form of reasonable doubt.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Charles after Green Bay's 38-28 win on Monday Night Football, 2015. (Photo: USA TODAY Sports)

But the Packers wouldn't be getting the once elusive, master-of-a-runner with the football that Charles once was. They'd be getting a 30-year old who has played in eight games over the past two seasons and hasn't played in a full 16-game season since 2012.

Not the best idea for a team who is year in and year out one of the more battered clubs in the league. Best idea? No, but after seeing Peterson's $3 million dollar deal with the Saints, it could be a cheap idea with a low risk and high reward.

Staying true to the rumors and pursuing Charles would just leave the Packers with one less draft pick to be used in their backfield and instead, equipping another position with far more value.

The pick that the Packers could use on a running back may go towards a cornerback in a deep defensive class. It could go towards an edge rusher that could help round out the Packers' pass rush, an evident positional weakness in 2016.

Even if general manager Ted Thompson and co. still decided to aim for a running back, the ideal course of action would be to do so in the mid-to-late rounds. Finding a tailback who fits Thompson's mold as well as Green Bay's style of offense would reap the same reward of the Packers taking a tailback in the early rounds.

No matter where they select said running back, he'll have the same opportunities carrying the ball as the next guy. In a pass-heavy offense with someone who is widely considered as the top dog at the quarterback position in Aaron Rodgers, that sentiment isn't too far-fetched.

The Packers ran the ball just 366 times last season which ranked as the fourth-fewest in the league. On the flipside, they passed the ball 656 times, which also ranked as the fifth-most in the league.

Even with someone of Le'Veon Bell's caliber at their disposal, the Packers have a plan on offense; that plan doesn't involve a workhorse at running back. But using their 29th overall selection in Thursday night's NFL Draft to select Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon or Stanford's Christian McCaffrey wouldn't be the worst route.

It's important to note that the Packers haven't taken a running back in the first round since they took Brent Fullwood with the fourth overall selection in the 1987 NFL Draft.

By the end of the night, it'll depend on Thompson's board. Players that are projected to be drafted in the first round aren't always going to be the best players available in Thompson's mind, nor are they going to be guys that best fit Thompson's ideology of someone who can come in and contribute.

It's a round-by-round carousel of talent in a deep defensive class, as mentioned above. A deep crop of defensive standouts that may give the Packers the luxury of drafting the best player available in round one as opposed to drafting by need.

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Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].

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Comments (32)

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Andrew Lloyd Peth's picture

April 26, 2017 at 08:51 am

Some national writers are claiming insider intel that the Packers want Joe Mixon in the 2nd Round.

Rubbish. Ted knows Mixon won't last that long. This is classic misinformation.

If Green Bay wants Mixon, they must use the 29th pick--and I think they should do it.

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ZacharyJacobson's picture

April 26, 2017 at 08:59 am

Like I told Cory yesterday - the only way I see Mixon falling into the second round is if teams back off of him for moral/PR reasons. Other than that, I don't see him dropping.

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Andrew Lloyd Peth's picture

April 26, 2017 at 09:24 am

I agree. He's just a sensational talent--top 10 easily.

If a team is satisfied his past is behind him, they must take him.

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OrganLeroy's picture

April 26, 2017 at 02:57 pm

Mixon WILL fall to the 2nd round and he won't last long. He's still on the Packers board as reported by Matt Miller and they hope he falls to #61 but he won't.

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mrtundra's picture

April 26, 2017 at 09:00 am

I'm thinking TT trades our 1st pick, at 29, to a team wanting a QB, for a pick in the high or mid 2nd round where he can get Mixon and still have our original 2nd round pick to get an OLB/Pass Rusher or CB.

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dobber's picture

April 26, 2017 at 09:09 am

Don't get me wrong, I think Mixon is a heck of a prospect and I like him as a player, but I don't think he lands in GB even in round 2.

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Andrew Lloyd Peth's picture

April 26, 2017 at 09:19 am

If Ted trades back, he'll need a higher 2nd Rounder than Cinci, Jax, and some other teams to get Mixon.

Top 3 2nd Rounder--no lower.

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OrganLeroy's picture

April 26, 2017 at 02:59 pm

Exactly, and apparently Carolina would be the team to trade with. If they go RB @ #8 it's been reported that they want to move back into the 1st for either a TE or OT and they have 2, 2nd round picks.

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Since'61's picture

April 26, 2017 at 09:00 am

Given the alleged depth at RB of the upcoming draft class there is no reason to sign Jamaal Charles. I prefer fresh legs at RB versus a battered RB like Charles. Why pass up on drafting an RB to sign Charles who is more likely to be injured than not. Happy to hear that the Saints have signed AP. They can have him. The child beater and the bounty hunter belong together. Thanks, Since '61

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dobber's picture

April 26, 2017 at 09:09 am

The only reason to sign Charles is to free up picks to do other things.

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Andrew Lloyd Peth's picture

April 26, 2017 at 09:21 am

HONEST QUESTION: If Ted takes Joe Mixon at #29 (we won't get him much lower), who wins Rookie Of The Year?

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Bearmeat's picture

April 26, 2017 at 10:13 am

1. No way in hell Ted takes Mixon at 29.

2. No way to know who will be ROY at this point. Too many variables.

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Andrew Lloyd Peth's picture

April 26, 2017 at 01:24 pm

That's just a non-answer. I'm posing a hypothetical and asking what people think, not what they know. Obviously, no one KNOWS who will win ROY.

And honestly, I could do without the nasty, condescending tone. If you don't want to answer, then just don't.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

April 26, 2017 at 03:17 pm

TT won't take Mixon at #29. He is a mid-twenties talent w/o the red flags. He is not even close to being a top 10 talent. I'd guess he goes around 50th.

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Ferrari Driver's picture

April 26, 2017 at 09:46 am

Bennett's mouth will be plenty for us Packer fans to stand this year; we sure don't need to add another potential irritant and locker room distraction.

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Andrew Lloyd Peth's picture

April 26, 2017 at 09:53 am

Joe Mixon hasn't been a distraction for the past 2 years at Oklahoma.

2 years is a long time for a young kid with a past to avoid trouble. At what point do we recognize the high risk of passing on this top-10 talent and leaving Rodgers without an elite RB???

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Bearmeat's picture

April 26, 2017 at 10:27 am

First, I'd rather have a red chip OLB than a blue chip RB. With QB1 at the helm, this team will never have a 25 carry-a-game RB. Never. Investing that much capital in the RB position in this offense would be wasted draft resources.

Second, nothing about Mixon screams Ted is going to take him. At least not with a day 1 pick. Probably not day 2. I also want insurance for Monty. But not at the cost of grabbing a starting quality CB or Edge player. RB is plenty deep in this draft.

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4zone's picture

April 26, 2017 at 11:04 am

Spot on Bearmeat.

GB doesnt have a run based OL. So even a guy like Zeke Elliot wouldn't be as good here as in Dallas.

All our great RBs the past 15+ years are mid to late round picks. Ahman Green a 3rd rounder, Bennett a 4th rounder and Dorsey was a 5th rounder. Lacy was the highest pick at 2nd but wasn't any better than the others.

With Monty, all we really need is someone to be a solid compliment. There are several mid round options that could fill that roll.

Mixon, sorry but his decision to assault a woman removes him from my board. Same with Brantley. Same for anyone regardless of talent level.

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Andrew Lloyd Peth's picture

April 26, 2017 at 12:22 pm

That incident was almost 3 years ago, with no incidents since. He's also gone through all recommended counseling and 100 hours community service.

Tell me, do you take this absolutely-never-forgive approach throughout all your life? I don't mean to be harsh here, but if you're saying no amount of time, effort and counseling ever makes a difference, then why should our society even have those things? Why not simply write off every guy who has committed such an assault forever, banishing them to criminal lives or executing them?

Honestly, I'd like to know. Why offer help and ask for change if we're never going to restore someone? Why?

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OrganLeroy's picture

April 26, 2017 at 03:01 pm

Ahman Green was a 2nd round pick of the Seattle Seahawks and traded to GB for a 2nd round CB, Fred Vinson who promptly got injured and never played again!

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Andrew Lloyd Peth's picture

April 26, 2017 at 12:28 pm

I'm actually not impressed with the RB depth in this draft. Mixon is far, far better than anyone outside of Fournette and maybe McCaffrey. The rest are pure junk compared to Mixon. He's the best all-around RB in this draft.

Rodgers deserves an actual threat at RB--someone altering the opponent's game plan. Aaron's never had that, and it really shows when teams can just come after him.

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stockholder's picture

April 26, 2017 at 12:55 pm

Andrew Thumbs down. We need defense. Not a question mark. Bear meat is right. And There are so many other Rbs that want a shot at their dream. They found Monty can run the ball. They'll find another that will be just as good. I just don't see non- stop explosion you see. ( I would be curious to see where teams have him on their board.) Sorry but your crush is not mine.

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Andrew Lloyd Peth's picture

April 26, 2017 at 01:21 pm

Monty doesn't compare to Mixon. Talentwise, they're in different zip codes.

This isn't a crush. It's an assessment. I couldn't care less about Mixon or anyone else. I just want the Packers to win.

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PatrickGB's picture

April 26, 2017 at 11:52 am

Work him out after the draft and see what he has left. Then decide. Don't make any long term draft decisions based on a beat up 30 year old RB.

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dobber's picture

April 26, 2017 at 11:56 am

"NFL.com reporter Mike Garafolo said Tuesday on NFL Network that Charles was still being linked to several teams. One of them being the Packers."

Not that the Packers have been in touch with Charles or his representation.

Not that any Packers reps have stated anything regarding Charles as a player and his possibility of joining the Packers.

Just that he "was being linked"...by idiots trying to generate clickbait.

Nothing to see here...

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Razer's picture

April 26, 2017 at 12:05 pm

Most of these sites have run out of things to say long ago. I can't blame Zachary for refrying these beans - after all, it does bring us out. A little critical thought and knowledge of how the Packer organization rolls would eliminate this article before the keyboard stopped clicking.

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ZacharyJacobson's picture

April 26, 2017 at 09:25 pm

Nobody ran out of anything to say, as you can tell by how much content we generate here daily. I'll write my own stories and I'll also report here what concerns the Packers in national NFL news. Like you said, it brings you all out and engages you in discussion about whether it'd be a good/bad move, what the cost would be, other course of action at a position, etc. Really all I care about.

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ZacharyJacobson's picture

April 26, 2017 at 09:26 pm

And the fact that you're accusing me of having no knowledge of how the organization operates as if I haven't been watching it unfold before my very eyes for almost two decades, is comical. Try again.

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Razer's picture

April 27, 2017 at 06:24 am

Sorry to offend Zachary. I just found an article proposing the acquisition of a older, beat-up back unrealistic. Even you, in your article, go on to discount the crap out of Charles playing in Green Bay. Why didn't you just say that TT would never make this move in your head because we never make this kind of move.

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ZacharyJacobson's picture

April 28, 2017 at 08:11 am

You didn't offend, no worries. Just engaging.
I'd love to just blatantly point out that the Packers wouldn't make a move like that, but given how the last three months have gone, nothing would surprise me.

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OrganLeroy's picture

April 26, 2017 at 03:05 pm

The Packers are going to draft D'Onta Foreman in the 2nd round (Mixon will be gone by then) or James Conner in the 4th round. I saw it in my toast this morning...kind of like a vision.

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OrganLeroy's picture

April 26, 2017 at 03:06 pm

BREAKING NEWS BOYS..Jahri Evans just signed with the Packers!

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