Tag: J.K. Dobbins

Austin Ekeler reveals reason for departure from Chargers: ‘There was a misalignment’

The Chargers wanted running backs to be able to manage heavy workloads on the ground.

Austin Ekeler will play for a new team for the first since signing with the Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2017.

Signed by the Commanders this offseason, Ekeler made it clear that he wasn’t going to be brought back to Los Angeles. Jim Harbaugh wanted a running back who could manage a heavy workload.

“They wanted a guy they can hand the ball off to 300 times a year, and, look, I haven’t had the capacity to do that,” Ekeler said via Up & Adams with Kay Adams.

“That’s not my game. That’s not how Austin Ekeler is going to be the best on the field. So there was a misalignment there, which, no harm no foul. I’ll go somewhere else where Austin can be the best version of myself out there.”

During his time with the Bolts, Ekeler was known for his multidimensional skillset to be able to not only carry the ball out of the backfield, but serve as a pass-catcher.

The most Ekeler rushed was 206 times, which came back in the 2021 season.

Ekeler will split carries with Brian Robinson Jr. in Washington.

The Chargers added former Ravens Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins. They are expected to split the carries, like they did in Baltimore.

Los Angeles also drafted Kimani Vidal in the sixth round. Vidal is no stranger to a lot of volume as a rusher, finishing his senior season at Troy with 297 carries.

Highlights from Day 2 of Chargers mandatory minicamp

The Chargers wrapped up their second day of mandatory minicamp on Wednesday, which saw standout performances from Justin Herbert and Tarheeb Still.

The Chargers wrapped up their second day of mandatory minicamp on Wednesday.

To experience some of the action that went down at Hoag Performance Center, here are a few clips from the team’s official Twitter account and members of the media.

Projecting the Chargers’ running back depth chart in 2024

Taking a crack at projecting what the Los Angeles Chargers running back room will look like entering the 2024 season.

Over the next month ahead of training camp, I will be breaking down the depth chart for each Chargers position.

Quarterback

Next up, I project what the running backs room will look like heading into the 2024 season.

RB1: Gus Edwards

Edwards, who previously played with the Ravens for six seasons, came to Los Angeles alongside offensive coordinator Greg Roman. He played for Roman in 2019, 2020 and 2022. In those seasons, he averaged at least five yards per carry. He is coming off his most productive season as a pro, as he finished with 810 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. Edwards won’t have much value as a receiver, but as long as he stays healthy then he should be a threat on the ground.

RB2: J.K. Dobbins

Dobbins reunites with his Edwards after their time in Baltimore. Injuries severely limited Dobbins following an eye-popping rookie season in 2020, when he averaged 5.8 yards per carry and totaled over 800 rushing yards. He tore his ACL and LCL and damaged his meniscus in 2021. He’s played in just nine games in the last three seasons. Expected to be fully healthy, Dobbins supplies the offense with an explosive runner who will also contribute in the passing game.

RB3: Kimani Vidal

The Chargers drafted Vidal in the sixth round of this year’s draft. Vidal was Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Year and a third-team All-American in 2023 after he rushed for the second-most yards in the FBS (1,661). He left as Troy’s all-time leading rusher with 4,010 yards. Vidal has a pro-ready skillset with the explosiveness, vision, contact balance, lateral agility, and passing game impact. I have Vidal beating Isaiah Spiller for the third and final running back spot. Spiller is a practice squad candidate.

FB: Ben Mason

The Chargers signed Mason back in April. Drafted by the Ravens in the fifth-round pick of the 2021 NFL draft, Mason has only logged one career snap. During his college career at Michigan with Jim Harbaugh, Mason played a few positions but he was most effective as a fullback. He scored seven touchdowns in 2018 and was an excellent blocker in the run game. His familiarity with Roman’s offense and his blocking prowess should land him a roster spot.

Chargers’ running back room categorized as ‘work in progress’ by CBS Sports

CBS Sports’ Tyler Sullivan isn’t too high on the Chargers’ running back room.

The Chargers will have a new-look running back room entering the 2024 season after Austin Ekeler was the main guy the past few seasons.

Newcomers Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins headline the group, which is considered a “work in progress” by CBS Sports’ Tyler Sullivan, who ranked every running back room by tiers.

Here is what Sullivan wrote about Los Angeles’ backs:

The Chargers effectively adopted the Ravens backfield after signing Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins in free agency. Dobbins has been plagued with injuries throughout his career, including a torn Achilles last season. Meanwhile, Edwards is a sturdy back but doesn’t have a massive ceiling.

I can’t entirely agree with Sullivan’s categorization of the Chargers’ running backs. Edwards is a proven player who is coming off a 13-touchdown season. While Dobbins has spent most of his pro career sidelined by injuries, he is a talented player who I expect to stay on the field and contribute.

Both players are familiar with Greg Roman’s offense, having played in it in Baltimore. Edwards and Dobbins’s talents, complementary skill sets, and familiarity with the system are the perfect recipe for an efficient rushing attack this season.

Also, rookie Kimani Vidal should not be forgotten. Vidal was a productive player at Troy, who possesses the explosiveness, vision, contact balance, lateral agility, and passing game impact to contribute early on in his pro career.

PFF projects Chargers’ starting lineup for 2024 season

Here is who they believe will be starting come Week 1 for the Los Angeles Chargers.

We are still months away from the start of the 2024 regular season.

While fans wait, predictions will continue to roll out until September. In this case, Pro Football Focus projected the starting lineup for all 32 teams in the NFL.

For the Chargers, here’s how it came about:

Offense

QB: Justin Herbert

RB: Gus Edwards

RB: J.K. Dobbins

WR: Quentin Johnston

WR: Joshua Palmer

WR: Ladd McConkey

TE: Will Dissly

LT: Rashawn Slater

LG: Zion Johnson

C: Bradley Bozeman

RG: Jamaree Salyer

RT: Joe Alt

Defense

DL: Morgan Fox

DL Poona Ford

EDGE: Joey Bosa

EDGE: Khalil Mack

EDGE: Tuli Tuipulotu

LB: Denzel Perryman

LB: Nick Niemann

CB: Asante Samuel Jr.

CB: Kristian Fulton

CB: Ja’Sir Taylor

S: Derwin James

S: Alohi Gilman

Takeaways

  • The offensive skill players are correct for the most part, but I see the top three wide receivers being Joshua Palmer, Ladd McConkey and DJ Chark, who beats out Quentin Johnston for the spot. Chark offers more experience and just an overall better skillset.
  • Dissly will predominantly serve as a blocking tight end, while Hayden Hurst should be the pass catcher.
  • I believe four spots are filled along the offensive line, with that being left tackle, left guard, center and right tackle. It will be a battle for the starting right guard spot between Salyer, Trey Pipkins and Brenden Jaimes. Undrafted free agent Willis Patrick is a name to watch out for, too.
  • The interior defensive line and edge defender positions are correct. Bud Dupree will serve as a situational rusher and in pressure packages.
  • Niemann’s listing as the starting linebacker next to Perryman is questionable. Third-round pick Junior Colson has the edge for the spot, given his familiarity with Jesse Minter’s defense.
  • Samuel and Fulton will be the starters on the outside, but Taylor and rookie Tarheeb Still are likely to battle for the starting slot spot.

Kiel McDonald on Chargers’ running back duo of Gus Edwards, J.K. Dobbins: ‘It’s like Thunder and Lightning’

Kiel McDonald is excited about the running back tandem of Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins.

The Chargers will emphasize running the football. The new additions, Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins will predominantly be pounding the rock.

New running back coach Kiel McDonald is excited about the tandem of Edwards and Dobbins, who are well-versed in Greg Roman’s system, having played in it during their time with the Ravens.

“They have been playing this game for a while,” McDonald said of Edwards and Dobbins. “At the end of the day, the standard is still the standard. It doesn’t matter what it is.

“To have some veterans that have been successful, especially when they know the scheme, it pushes it in a positive direction,” McDonald added.

Edwards and Dobbins are different types of backs. Edwards is more of a bruiser with the size, strength, and physicality as a runner. Meanwhile, Dobbins is an explosive back with a skill set that features good elusiveness and pass-catching ability.

“It’s like Thunder and Lightning … that’s probably why they took those two guys in Baltimore,” McDonald said. “Having them here, they are very mature guys and mature men.”

PFF’s running back rankings: Does any Chargers player make the cut?

Pro Football Focus recently released their running back rankings and a Chargers player made it.

The Chargers completely revamped the running back room this offseason, moving on from Austin Ekeler, signing two veterans and drafting one.

Pro Football Focus recently released their running back rankings and one of their additions made the cut, with Gus Edwards checking in at No. 31.

The Gus Bus drives on down to Los Angeles, as Gus Edwards is now a Charger. Edwards had a career year in 2023, rushing for 810 yards and 13 touchdowns while earning a 72.3 grade. His yards per attempt dropped to below 5.0 yards per carry for the first time in his career, but Edwards still made a positive impact on the Ravens’ rushing attack.

The task will now be carrying that over to a Chargers offense that has struggled to run the ball in recent years prior to Jim Harbaugh’s arrival. He’s not a big-play threat, but Edwards is an efficient chain-mover.

In an effort to run the ball at a high level, Edward’s play will go a long way to helping achieve that. He ran for 3,395 yards, the most by a Ravens running back over the past six seasons. Last season, Edwards’ 13 touchdown runs were tied for the third most by an NFL running back.

The system familiarity will play a vital role, as Edwards played for Greg Roman in 2019, 2020, and 2022 when he was Baltimore’s offensive coordinator. In those seasons, Edwards averaged at least five yards per carry.

PFF tabs Chargers’ bounce-back candidate for 2024 season

RB J.K. Dobbins was Pro Football Focus’ pick to be the Chargers’ bounce-back player for 2024 season.

The Chargers will be heavily relying on their running game this upcoming season, and running back J.K. Dobbins is one of the players who will be vital to its success.

Dobbins, who has been squandered by injuries in recent seasons, was named Pro Football Focus’ bounce-back candidate.

Dobbins was great in his two healthy seasons with the Ravens, earning rushing grades of at least 75.6 and averaging over 3.00 yards after contact per carry. However, he tore his Achilles just 12 snaps into last year and tore his ACL before even lacing up his cleats in a game in 2021.

Jim Harbaugh’s philosophy in Ann Arbor was to run the damn ball, and with the Chargers’ receiving room still lacking any proven alpha presences, that should continue in Los Angeles. Dobbins might split carries initially with his former Baltimore teammate Gus Edwards, but his better explosiveness could lend itself to a strong year for the 25-year-old in a new home.

Injuries have severely limited Dobbins following an outstanding rookie season in 2020, when he averaged 5.8 yards per carry and totaled over 800 rushing yards. In total, he’s played in just nine games in the last three seasons.

Dobbins talked about how he’s healthy and ready to dispel the injury-prone narrative. I’d expect Gus Edwards to be the Chargers’ lead back early on and for Dobbins to be brought along slowly, but it wouldn’t be surprising to take over that role in due time.

If he can stay on the field, he will supply the offense with one of the most explosive backs, with a skill set that features good elusiveness and pass-catching ability.

ESPN’s Mike Clay projects Chargers’ 2024 offensive stats

ESPN’s Mike Clay takes a crack at projecting the production of the offensive side of the ball for the Los Angeles Chargers.

Mike Clay is an NFL and fantasy football analyst at ESPN who uses algorithms and formulas to project player and team stats prior to the regular season.

Clay revealed his offensive projections for the upcoming season.

Let’s take a look at how he believes the Chargers’ skill players will fare in 2024.

Quarterback

Player C/A Yards TDs INT Carries Yards TDs
Justin Herbert 322/495 3,557 23 10 60 257 2
Easton Stick 39/64 423 3 2 8 37 0

Running back

Player Carries Yards TDs Targets Receptions Yards TDs
J.K. Dobbins 154 769 4 44 34 241 1
Gus Edwards 180 762 6 22 17 134 1
Isaiah Spiller 42 174 1 8 6 40 0
Kimani Vidal 13 52 0 3 2 14 0

Wide receiver

Player Targets Receptions Yards Average TDs Carries Yards
Ladd McConkey 98 63 797 12.7 5 2 14
Josh Palmer 82 53 630 11.9 4 0 0
Quentin Johnston 76 47 601 12.8 4 2 13
DJ Chark 70 38 567 14.9 5 0 0
Derius Davis 16 11 111 10.0 1 13 86
Brenden Rice 5 3 36 12.0 0 0 0

Tight end

Player Targets Receptions Yards Average TDs
Hayden Hurst 60 41 393 9.6 3
Will Dissly 38 30 266 8.9 1
Stone Smartt 16 11 113 10.3 1
Donald Parham 5 4 36 9.0 0

 

J.K. Dobbins fully healthy, ready to go in first season with Chargers: ‘There’ll be no setbacks’

J.K. Dobbins feels good and is ready to dispel the injury-prone label.

As part of the Chargers’ backfield reconstruction, they brought in J.K. Dobbins, who has battled the injury bug, most recently rupturing his Achilles in Week 1 last season.

But Dobbins feels good and is ready to dispel the always-injured label.

“You got the injury-prone [label] out there, but I think the storm is over with, and I think I’m going to take off now,” Dobbins said. “There’ll be no setbacks, and this injury-prone thing will be gone out the window.”

Injuries have severely limited Dobbins following an eye-popping rookie season in 2020, when he averaged 5.8 yards per carry and totaled over 800 rushing yards. He tore his ACL and LCL and damaged his meniscus in 2021.

In total, he’s played in just nine games in the last three seasons.

“I think people all around know that it’s a high-risk, high-reward type thing,'” he said. “… But I think everyone around the league knows that whenever I am on the field, the numbers don’t lie.”

When Dobbins is on the field, he is a real treat to watch, as he makes picking up yards look effortless with excellent contact balance and lateral quickness.

Dobbins reunites with former Ravens running back Gus Edwards and offensive coordinator Greg Roman.

“He sticks with the run, and that’s the identity. You want an offense that has an identity,” Dobbins said. “You don’t want to be looking everywhere else to find your identity. You want to have it. And so I think this offense has that.”

Dobbins believes he is 100% healthy and ready to hit the practice field for training camp but is leaving it in the hands of the training staff.

“I think this organization is a great organization, and the training staff is great, and so they just want what’s best for me, and they’re taking care of me,” Dobbins said. “… But like I said, if it’s up to me, yeah, I’m out there.”