Chargers’ Joshua Kelley in ideal situation among NFL’s rookie running backs

Los Angeles Chargers running back Joshua Kelley has the opportunity to become the team’s feature back.

No one expected the Chargers to take a running back as early as they did when other positions like offensive tackle, wide receiver or cornerback had yet to be addressed.

Even though Melvin Gordon and the franchise parted ways, it was thought that they would be able to get away with Austin Ekeler, Justin Jackson and potentially a late rounder or undrafted free agent to fill the void.

But when Los Angeles saw former UCLA RB Joshua Kelley sitting on the board in the fourth-round with the No. 112 overall selection, they couldn’t pass up on the opportunity.

Kelley joins Ekeler and Jackson as part of the backfield committee. While it may seem like the rookie will be the odd man out, he’s actually in one of the better situations among the rest of the first-year backs.

Pro Football Focus ranked the situations for the league’s 2020 rookie running backs, and Kelley was listed as being in the ninth-best circumstances:

Kelley offers a distinctly different body type and skillset from starter Austin Ekeler. Even with Melvin Gordon out the first four weeks of last season, Ekeler commanded only 14 carries per game while backup Justin Jackson saw five-plus carries in each of those outings when healthy. The issue here could be simply taking carries away from Jackson, who earned a 78.1 rushing grade on 50 carries in 2018 before an 89.5 rushing grade on 29 carries in an injury-shortened 2019.

Kelley has the chance to receive the majority of the carries. Even though Ekeler sits atop of the depth chart, the team wants to utilize his versatility to line up all over the formation. As for Jackson, who’s coming off a season that was hampered by an injury, durability concerns loom.

I mentioned before that Kelley continues to only being seen as just a short-yardage specialist by many, but I believe he’s going to be used more than that over time.

While Kelley has the power to run through defenders, which would come in handy in those situations, he also has good change-of-direction, vision, burst, decent speed and passing game ability to make an impact on any down.

Kelley showed that he is capable of taking on a big load for the Bruins in 2018 and 2019, receiving 225 and 229 touches, respectively, making the most with them by posting 1,000-plus rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns in both seasons.

For someone that has that type of production and was taken that high over other positions of need, they’re certainly seen as more than just a bruiser who receives 5-10 carries per game.

I expect the Chargers to have a committee approach for their backfield early on in the season. But don’t be surprised if it’s Kelley that receives the bulk of the carries down the road, especially if Jackson is unable to stay healthy.

Chargers’ Mark Ridgley talks state of running backs

The Chargers running back group will have a slightly new look heading into 2020.

The Chargers backfield will have a slightly reconstructed look heading into the upcoming season.

Returning is Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson. Not returning is Melvin Gordon. Coming in is fourth-round pick Joshua Kelley.

Running backs coach Mark Ridgley spoke with the media on Wednesday to talk about the remodeled positional group.

Now that Gordon is gone, who will serve as the feature back remains to be seen. Ridgley says the roles of the running backs will develop as they go through practice and training camp. He called it a “group by committee.”

He pointed to Ekeler and Jackson adjusting to Gordon’s absence last September as the type of change he’s looking for.

Ekeler, who’s coming off an outstanding 2019 season, is expected to keep his same duties as a ball carrier and pass-catcher in the slot and out wide. The former Western Colorado product defied the odds by working his way up from an undrafted free agent to one of the league’s top offensive weapons.

Ridgley said Ekeler is an example for the younger players who are looking to make the 53-man roster. He said he tells players about his story and how he made the team, calling him a “great young man”.

Jackson is looking to step up after being hindered by an injury last season. The former Northwestern product showed flashes of dominance, but he will have to show he can stay healthy.

“I’m excited about the potential of Justin,” Ridgley said. “First time I met him was at the East-West Shrine Game. This year is a big year for Justin. We have to get him on the field and contributing.”

The excitement is high for the addition of Kelley, the former UCLA product. Kelley is seen as a short-yardage and goal line back, but he has the skillset to become the feature back if all goes well.

Ridgley said Kelley has a personality that compliments Ekeler and Jackson. He said Kelley has had a great journey to get to the league and that he can’t wait to see him play.

Ekeler’s versatility will likely want to be put to good use still. In order to allow him to manage those tasks, there will be a lot of two-running back sets. Like Ridgley said, training camp and preseason will tell who gets the bulk of snaps between Kelley and Jackson for RB2.

4 offensive players the Chargers need to step up

It all starts with the most important position on the field.

The Chargers offense will have a slightly new look now that Philip Rivers won’t be the one under center anymore.

Even though the unit could benefit from the scheme change, there are certain individual players that need to do well in their roles to help the team succeed.

Whether they had a down year last year or simply have a new job going into the 2020 season, there are four offensive players that need to step up this upcoming year.

QB Tyrod Taylor

Even though the Chargers drafted Justin Herbert in the first-round, I believe that Taylor will be starting the majority, if not, every single game this upcoming season. Taylor will have big shoes to fill after having Rivers man the position for over the past decade. The 30-year old Taylor is not Rivers by any means, but there are a few things going for him that could put him in position to succeed. Taylor is familiar with coach Anthony Lynn’s philosophy, which has always been a run-heavy approach. That leads to his biggest strength, which is his athleticism and ability to win with his legs. As a passer, Taylor is one of the best at not turning the ball over. Taylor should also benefit from the position players around him, as well. Things that could get him in trouble consists of his accuracy and not seeing the middle of the field well, which is why he tends to take the cautious route and limits his chances of being picked off. Everything is tailored for him to succeed, but now it will be a matter of putting it all together to thrive in the starting role with a team that’s capable of contending for the postseason.

OT Sam Tevi

Not only does a new era begin at the quarterback position – it does at the left tackle position after Russell Okung was traded to the Panthers. Rather than signing or drafting one to replace Okung, the team is banking on their in-house options to fill the void. The signing of Bryan Bulaga indicates that the right tackle spot is filled for the next three seasons, which means one of two things for Tevi – he will be a swing tackle or move over to the left side. Recently, offensive coordinator Shane Steichen mentioned Tevi as options at left tackle. Given his experience in the starting role, I believe he is the frontrunner for the job. It won’t be an easy task going from the right side to protecting the blindside, especially after finishing 2019 as the 61st highest graded offensive tackle in 2019, per Pro Football Focus. Since coming into the league, Tevi has fared well in the run-blocking department, but has struggled as a pass protector. The thought process could be that since the offense is shifting to having a mobile quarterback, it could mask the deficiencies with Tevi’s game. They could be hoping that the hiring of Campen will help with it, too. Nonetheless, if Tevi is indeed the starting left tackle, he will have to do a lot better job than his previous seasons.

OT Trey Pipkins

There’s no guarantee that Tevi has the starting job locked up. Instead, I expect it to be a tight competition between him and Pipkins. Selected in the third-round of the 2019 NFL draft, it wasn’t expected that he would see the field in his rookie season. However, Pipkins was forced into the action when Okung was sidelined. In the games he played, he did experience some growing pains, but he also flashed as a solid blindside blocker, especially against some stiff competition like the Chiefs. Campen said he’s watched tape on Pipkins dating back training camp last summer. “He’s a very intelligent young man. He gets what you’re asking him to do. I think he has a lot of potential.” There is a plan in place for Pipkins, but he will have to still take the necessary steps on his own to succeed, which include getting stronger and developing his technique, particularly with his hands. Like Tevi, Pipkins should benefit from a zone scheme, where his athleticism is put to good use.

RB Justin Jackson

Melvin Gordon is no longer a Charger, which leads to the opportunity for someone in the backfield to take on a larger role. Joshua Kelley was drafted in the fourth-round to fill out the backfield, but the ball is in Jackson’s court as he has two years of experience with the team. In 20 games played, Jackson averaged 5.1 yards per carry on 79 touches. Jackson was held back by an injury, limiting him to just seven games in 2019. Entering his third campaign, the team is still “very high” on Jackson despite the durability concerns. With the offense expected to shift to a run-heavy approach, Jackson needs to take a leap. If he can stay healthy, the former Northwestern product can be dangerous.

3 Chargers primed for breakout seasons in 2020

The Los Angeles Chargers have a few players that could turn heads in 2020 for the first time.

Every season, there are players who break out onto the scene who may not have been dominant the season before, whether they were a backup, dealt with an injury or just improved as a player in the offseason.

There are a few candidates to break out in 2020 for the Chargers, and I take a look at them in no particular order.

RB Justin Jackson

Jackson, the seventh-round selection of 2018, has flashed each and every time that he is on the field. In 20 games played, Jackson averaged 5.1 yards per carry on 79 touches. In his rookie season, he was buried on the depth chart and didn’t get many opportunities because Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler carried the load. In the following season when he had the opportunity to break out, Jackson was held back by an injury, limiting him to just seven games. Entering his third campaign, the team is still “very high” on Jackson despite the durability concerns. After drafting RB Joshua Kelley in the fourth-round of this year’s draft, it’s evident that the backfield will likely be a committee. But with the team expected to run the ball more now that a mobile quarterback will be under center, Jackson will will have the chance to return back to his old ways, if he can stay healthy.

DT Jerry Tillery

Tillery had expectations like any other first rounder would. He did not live up to those, failing to make his presence known in his rookie season. He was drafted to give the interior part of the defensive line a boost in the pass rushing department. Even though he never put it all together, he still managed to do positive things that might have gone unnoticed since he didn’t fill up the stat sheet. Tillery didn’t have a full offseason heading into in Year 1 since he spent the majority of it rehabbing his torn labrum. Now healthy, Tillery has that to has full advantage to get bigger and stronger. I could see him taking a big leap in his second season, similar to how Justin Jones did a couple of years back. If he puts the pieces together, showing he can play with better leverage and out-power interior blockers, him, Jones and newly acquired Linval Joseph will present a solid interior defensive line trio.

FS Nasir Adderley

Like Tillery, Adderley had high expectations heading into the summer, but he was derailed by a lingering hamstring issue that had been ongoing even before he was drafted. Adderley’s injury forced him to miss mandatory minicamp and most of training camp. He made his NFL debut in the preseason finale, where he recorded an interception, giving fans a glimpse of the talented safety. Unfortunately, his hamstring continued to be an issue, which forced the team to place him on the injured reserve. While Adderley was out of the action, Rayshawn Jenkins started at free safety all 16 games, playing the most snaps by any player. Since Jenkins earned the trust of the coaching staff, it may seem like an uphill climb for Adderley earn snaps, but a systematical change might make it easier than originally expected. The Chargers are expected to show more two-deep looks and man coverage and less Cover 3. This will mean that both Adderley and Jenkins would be on the field. If Adderley can stay healthy, he could be a difference-maker on the backend of the defense.

Could RB Joshua Kelley be Chargers’ most productive rookie in 2020?

Los Angeles Chargers running back Joshua Kelley has the makings of a feature back.

Every year, the Chargers have a Day 3 selection that always outperforms people’s expectations in Year 1. In 2019, it was linebacker Drue Tranquill who raised eyebrows.

Could fourth-round selection, running back Joshua Kelley be the player that makes the most noise?

In a recent piece by Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski, he wrote about every team’s impact rookie for the 2020 season. For the Bolts, it was Kelley as he is no-nonsense runner who immediately gives the backfield a more physical presence.

The 212-pound back isn’t simply a short-yardage specialist. His 4.49-second 40-yard-dash speed also makes him a home-run threat.

Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn views the rookie as a potential Pro Bowl talent.

“We feel like he can get to that point, I can tell you that,” Lynn said, per Chris Hayre of the team’s official site.

For some, it may be surprising to not see linebacker Kenneth Murray here given the fact that he’s the only one of the team’s six selections who is seen as an immediate starter.

For the rest of the draft class, there will be a competition to earn one of the spots, and that includes Kelley.

Kelley joins a talented backfield that consists of Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson. Even though the running back position needed to be addressed heading into the draft, the position was filled a lot earlier than many were anticipating.

After Melvin Gordon left in free agency to join AFC West rivals, the Denver Broncos, the feature back role is up in the air. Ekeler, who signed a four-year contract extension, is capable of manning that, but the Chargers like to use his pass-catching abilities in the slot or out wide, too.

Jackson showed a lot of promise when he touched the ball the past couple of seasons, but he dealt with an injury in 2019 that kept him off the field for the majority of the year.

Insert Kelley.

I mentioned before that Kelley is only being seen as just a short-yardage specialist by many, but I believe he’s going to be used more than that.

Kelley showed that he is capable of taking on a big load for UCLA in 2018 and 2019, receiving 225 and 229 touches, respectively. However, he made the most with them, posting 1,000-plus rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns in both seasons.

For someone that has that type of production and was taken that high over other positions of need like offensive tackle, wide receiver or cornerback, they’re certainly seen as more than just a bruiser.

I expect the Chargers to have a committee approach for their backfield early on in the season, but for them to give the majority of the load to Kelley eventually.

“My work ethic is impeccable,” Kelley said about what the Chargers are getting. “I love the game of football. I’m extremely passionate about it. I’m a consistent runner. Consistency is the key. I’m always looking to get North-South. I like to keep my feet churning after contact. I don’t fumble the ball. I have great ball security.

You’re getting a guy that truly loves the game. I’m competitive and consistent. I’m gonna give it my all for whichever organization I end up with. I’ll embrace any and every opportunity I get. I’m a silly guy (laughs). I have a lot of personality but I take this game very seriously. I’m very excited for what’s next.”

How Chargers players fare in early 2020 fantasy football rankings

Two players of the Los Angeles Chargers are in the top-10 in early 2020 fantasy football draft rankings.

The Chargers head into the 2020 season with a new signal-caller. After Philip Rivers and the franchise mutually agreed to part ways earlier this offseason, Tyrod Taylor and Justin Herbert take over under center.

The running back position will have a slightly new look moving forward, too after Melvin Gordon agreed to a deal with the Broncos. Joining Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson is fourth-round pick Joshua Kelley.

Aside from those changes and couple of new additions along the offensive line, the rest of the offense stayed intact with the strong pass-catching group that consists of Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Hunter Henry and draft selections Joe Reed and K.J. Hill.

As far as fantasy football goes, which everyone is looking forward to, Los Angeles will have quite a few options in drafts this year. ESPN’s fantasy football experts put together early PPR (points per reception) ranking of players at each position.

Here’s how the Chargers players stack up:

Quarterback

Tyrod Taylor, No. 26

Justin Herbert N/A

Running back

Austin Ekeler, No. 7

Joshua Kelley, No. 54

Justin Jackson, No. 55

Wide receiver

Keenan Allen, No. 15

Mike Williams, No. 46

K.J. Hill N/A

Joe Reed N/A

Tight end

Hunter Henry, No. 8

Kicker

Michael Badgley, No. 20

Defense/Special Teams

Chargers, No. 11

What scouts said about Chargers RB Joshua Kelley ahead of draft

NFL evaluators seemed to like Los Angeles Chargers running back Joshua Kelley coming out of college.

The Chargers drafted former UCLA running back Joshua Kelley in the fourth-round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

The selection of Kelley had fans scratching their heads because while running back was a position of need, the offensive line and cornerback position were seen as bigger needs.

Nonetheless, Los Angeles got a great player who should solidify the backfield that will now consist of him, Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson.

Going into the draft, Kelley finished with a third-round grade from me, but how did those in the league feel about him?

The Athletic’s Bob McGinn spoke with a few NFL scouts to get their opinions on Kelley.

The first scout compared him to Packers’ Jamaal Williams, but he believes that Kelley is a bit more talented.

Similar to Jamaal Williams. I’d take Kelley by a nod because he has more upside than Jamaal. He may not get much love on draft day, but he’s going to be a good pro.

The second scout highlighted his football intelligence.

He’s going to play for somebody. He’s too knowledgeable, know what I mean?

The third scout wasn’t as high on him as the two others were.

I got him buried. Tight hips, dances too much. Dime-a-dozen running back.

Overall, I believe that Kelley is going to surprise many in his first season. Rather than serving primarily as a short-yardage and goal line back, I believe he is capable of receiving 10-15 carries per game and being productive and efficient with those.

Even though I expect the Chargers to implement a backfield committee, I can see Kelley eventually becoming the feature back. His well-rounded skillset as a runner and passing game ability should allow him to receive a good amount of touches down the road.

3 bold predictions for Chargers in 2020 NFL Draft

Could Tom Telesco be gearing up to surprise Chargers’ fans with the selections in the upcoming draft?

The Chargers are hoping to find the right pieces to turn things around after an unexpected down season in the upcoming draft.

However, the draft rarely goes according to plan. Trades will occur and surprising selections will be made, leaving fans with their mock drafts they made in shambles.

With that, let’s take a look at three bold scenarios that might happen that supporters of the Bolts might not expect to happen:

Offensive line is not addressed, at all

The offensive line sits atop of the positional needs list, even after the acquisitions of tackle Bryan Bulaga and guard Trai Turner.

Can Trey Pipkins be trusted with the starting role at left tackle? Has Dan Feeney really proven his worth at left guard? Will Forrest Lamp stay healthy? Will Mike Pouncey play another snap of football?

These are commonly asked questions, which leads to many assuming that the positional groups will be addressed in a couple of weeks.

However, is there a possibility that the team could be relying on new offensive line coach James Campen to revitalize the unit with the pieces they currently have on the roster?

During his time with the Packers, Campen turned a slew of mid-late round projects into Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections. This could lead to the possibility of them banking on his coaching to develop Pipkins, Feeney, Lamp, Scott Quessenberry and Trent Scott.

It seems far fetched, especially when the tackle class is the deepest that it’s been in years. But Campen could really see potential with the guys that they have, and elect to not bring in any more.

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Shining Sophomore or Sophomore Slump? Grading Chargers’ 2018 draft class’ second season

Chargers Wire grades the Los Angeles Chargers’ 2018 draft class’ second season to determine if the sophomores slumped or shined.

When evaluating the previous season as a whole, it’s easy to make quick judgements on the rookie class. Yet, we forget about the group that was brought in the year prior.

In 2018, general manager Tom Telesco made the point to load up on the defensive side of the ball, as well as bring in some offensive players later on that were thought to make some contributions.

With that, let’s take a look at whether the second-year players shined or slumped:

Round 1, Safety Derwin James

Coming off an outstanding rookie season, the expectations were at an all-time high for James. Unfortunately, his campaign was put to a halt as he sustained a foot injury which required surgery that kept him out for the majority of the year. Though the defense were relatively solid, his absence was evident. Upon returning in Week 13, his impact was felt immediately. James, the chess piece on the defensive side of the ball, made plays in coverage, against the run and as an additional blitzer. In five games, he posted 34 tackles, three tackles for loss and one pass deflected.

Grade: A, but incomplete

Round 2, LB Uchenna Nwosu

Entering this season, it was expected that Nwosu was going to take over as the full-time SAM after the team elected to move on from Kyle Emanuel. But that’s not how it turned out after all. Nwosu primarily backed up defensive end Melvin Ingram at LEO, getting snaps when Ingram would come off the field, which was not very often. He received almost 100 more snaps than he did last year, but his production took a bit of a dip in the pass-rushing department. Nwosu only posted two sacks after finishing with 3.5 in 2018, and he only had seven quarterback hits this season compared to last season where he had 10. Nwosu did make more of an impact as a run defender, finishing with five tackles for loss. The jury is still out whether or not Nwosu will take on more of an expanded role next season.

Grade: B-

Round 3, DT Justin Jones

It wasn’t until near the end of the 2018 season when Jones really started to come into his own. Jones used the offseason to shed some weight to get quicker and more agile. From how his sophomore season went, the tactic that he used paid dividends. Even though he missed four games due to an injury, Jones was arguably one of the team’s best interior defenders, making an impact as a pass-rusher and run defender. The former North Carolina State product finished 30 tackles, six quarterback pressures, two tackles for loss, one pass deflected and a forced fumble.

Grade: B+

Round 4, LB Kyzir White

After flashing very early on in his rookie season, White’s year was cut short after sustaining a knee injury. White used the time off to get healthier, stronger and bigger as he was up 13 pounds entering the offseason. He started the season as the starting middle linebacker while Denzel Perryman was nursing an ankle injury for the first two games. White struggled in that role, so Perryman took over. With Thomas Davis serving as the starting WILL, that only left White with one option: SAM. With the Chargers playing a lot of nickel packages, that means the SAM doesn’t see the field as much. Because of that, White didn’t play as much as many were expecting. When White did see the field, he was making plays. The former West Virginia product finished with 40 tackles, two passes defensed and one tackle for loss. The expectation is that when Davis is no longer with the team, then White will likely take over that role full-time.

Grade: B

Round 5, C Scott Quessenberry

The offensive line wasn’t particularly a bright spot for the Chargers due to injuries that occurred throughout the season. But when one man (Pouncey) went down, another stepped up. Quessenberry made an impact early on that many may have not been expecting from him when handing him the starting duties. But you could tell that he benefited from learning from a four-time Pro Bowler. The former UCLA product was consistent in pass protection and in the run blocking department. Depending on what happens with Pouncey, Quessenberry could be in line to start as early as next season.

Grade: A-

Round 6, WR Dylan Cantrell

After dealing with a shoulder injury in his rookie season, Cantrell, the summer standout, was expected to take a big leap in Year 2. Unfortunately, the injury reoccured and was he ultimately waived by the team in July. He cleared waivers and reverted to the injured reserve. He never made an appearance this past season and his future with Los Angeles remains to be seen.

Grade: N/A

Round 7, RB Justin Jackson

While RB Melvin Gordon dealt with an injury in 2018, it didn’t take long for Jackson to raise some eyebrows with his play. Fast forward to 2019 when Gordon held out for a quarter of the season, Jackson still maintained the model of consistency, flashing as a runner. In the first three games of the season while serving as the complimentary back to Austin Ekeler, Jackson rushed for 142 yards, averaging 7.9 yards per carry. From that point on, he was banged up by a hamstring injury, and he didn’t benefit from Gordon’s return. Should the Chargers choose to move on from Gordon, Jackson is likely going to be due for a huge uptick in snaps moving forward.

Grade: B+

First injury report for Chargers vs. Raiders

The Los Angeles Chargers started their preparation for their Week 16 matchup against the Oakland Raiders this Sunday. Here is a look at today’s injury report. Offensive tackle Russell Okung was the only non-participant. Okung is currently dealing …

The Los Angeles Chargers started their preparation for their Week 16 matchup against the Oakland Raiders this Sunday.

Here is a look at today’s injury report.

Offensive tackle Russell Okung was the only non-participant. Okung is currently dealing with a groin injury that he sustained in the loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

Coach Anthony Lynn said if Okung can’t go then it’ll be between Trent Scott and rookie Trey Pipkins for the start at left tackle.

Scott entered the game in place of Okung last weekend. Pipkins has been a healthy scratch the past two contests.

Wide receiver Mike Williams and running back Justin Jackson were both limited.

Williams has been dealing with a knee issue over a month, but he should be good to go for this weekend.