Tag: Kimani Vidal

Fantasy Football: 12 running backs to target on the waiver wire

Audric Estime is the top running back to target on the fantasy football waiver wire this week.

It looks like there’s been a changing of the guard in the Denver Broncos‘ backfield.

Broncos coach Sean Payton hinted last week that rookie Audric Estime could be more involved in the second half of the season, and that’s beginning to play out. Estime led the team’s backfield in snaps (26), carries (14) and rushing yards (53) on Sunday. Javonte Williams (one carry and two targets) seems to have been relegated to passing-down duties.

Estime could be Denver’s new RB1 going forward, and he should be considered a top priority on the fantasy football waiver wire this week.

Elsewhere on the waiver wire front, wide receiver Cedric Tillman (50%) should be rostered, Dawson Knox (1%) is a streaming tight end option and quarterback Bo Nix (50%) has quickly become fantasy-relevant.

Today, though, we’re focusing on the running back position. We’ve put together a quick list of 12 running backs to consider on the fantasy football waiver wire this week.

Fantasy Football Running Back Waiver Wire Targets

1. RB Audric Estime (1%): Estime’s efficiency (3.8 yards per carry) wasn’t great on Sunday, but Payton seems to be a big fan of the rookie, so his workload (14 carries) will likely trend up in the coming weeks.

2. RB Gus Edwards (21%): Edwards (10 carries for 55 yards) split time with J.K. Dobbins (15 carries for 50 yards) on Sunday. Playing in a run-heavy offense, both RBs could be fantasy-relevant going forward.

3. RB Tyler Allgeier (50%): Bijan Robinson remains the star, but Allgeier (11 carries for 59 yards) isn’t going away. Allgeier has standalone flex value and he’s an extremely important handcuff in case Robinson is ever unavailable.

4. RB Trey Benson (16%): James Conner (17 touches for 113 yards) and Benson (12 touches for 87 yards) were both productive on Sunday as the Cardinals cruised to a comfortable win over the Jets. That won’t happen every week, but Benson should be rostered. Note that Arizona has a bye in Week 11.

5. RB Tyjae Spears (42%): Spears (10 touches for 51 yards) wasn’t far behind Tony Pollard (13 touches for 63 yards) in Week 10. He’s worth a look in deeper leagues.

6. RB Braelon Allen (22%): Breece Hall is obviously the RB1, but Allen (seven carries and one target) remains involved. Allen could be a flex option if you’re desperate.

7. RB Cam Akers (16%): Aaron Jones had an injury scare on Sunday before later returning to the game. Akers is worth adding in case Jones does end up missing any time. With Jones missing part of Sunday’s game, Akers got 14 touches for the Vikings in Week 10.

8. RB Ray Davis (19%): He’s just a handcuff behind James Cook at this point, but Davis proved earlier this season that he’s a capable fill-in option if called upon in Buffalo.

9. RB Blake Corum (16%): The Rams have been giving Kyren Williams a heavy workload, and Corum could be an extremely valuable handcuff down the stretch if Williams gets banged up.

10. RB Kenneth Gainwell (2%): Saquon Barkley steps aside when the Eagles have big leads, giving value to Gainwell and Will Shipley (1%) when Philly is a big favorite.

11. RB Keaton Mitchell (5%): The speedy running back returned to action in Week 10 and the Ravens now have a “three-headed monster” at running back. Mitchell is worth stashing, especially in deep leagues.

12. RB Jaylen Wright (5%): De’Von Achane remains the RB1 in Miami, but Wright might be taking the RB2 role away from Raheem Mostert. Wright got the second-most carries (five) on Monday. Mostert was targeted three times as a receiver out of the backfield but got no carries.

Bonus: RB Jaylen Warren (62%) is already rostered in most leagues, but double-check just to make sure he’s not still available in your league. 

Roster percentages for players listed in this article were sourced from ESPN. For more fantasy coverage, check out our fantasy football hub.

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Fantasy Football: 10 running backs to target on the waiver wire

Isaac Guerendo and Tyrone Tracy highlight this week’s list of running backs to target on the fantasy football waiver wire.

The San Francisco 49ers are going into their bye this week, and there’s some hope that star running back Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) could be set to return in Week 10. Meanwhile, fellow Niners running back Jordan Mason is now nursing a reaggravated shoulder injury.

With McCaffrey’s status still uncertain and Mason injured, Isaac Guerendo is the top running back to target on the fantasy football waiver wire this week. Even if CMC returns after the bye, Guerendo could serve as the RB2 if Mason misses any time.

Elsewhere on the fantasy football waiver wire, Denver Broncos rookie Bo Nix (37%) is suddenly a hot target at quarterback, Cedric Tillman (16%) is turning heads at wide receiver and Taysom Hill (20%) is a popular streaming option at tight end.

Today, though, we’re focusing on the running back position. We’ve put together a quick list of ten running backs to consider on the fantasy football waiver wire this week.

Fantasy Football Running Back Waiver Wire Targets

1. RB Isaac Guerendo (4%): He’s on a bye this week, but Guerendo could be a crucial handcuff in the second half of the season and if CMC and Mason are ever sidelined, Guerendo is the next man up.

2. RB Tyrone Tracy (47%): Devin Singletary is back healthy, but Tracy remains the RB1 in New York. He dominated the team’s backfield touches on Monday Night Football with 20 carries for 145 yards and a touchdown. Tracy’s concussion status should be monitored, but he is a priority add off the waiver wire this week.

3. RB Tyler Allgeier (51%): Allgeier is sharing touches with Bijan Robinson. Allgeier got 12 carries on Sunday and Robinson got 13. Robinson (seven targets) is much more involved in the passing game, but Allgeier has standalone value as Atlanta’s RB2.

4. RB Braelon Allen (25%): The Jets are a mess, but Allen (12 carries) remains in the mix alongside Breece Hall (16 carries). He’s a potential flex play or an RB2 candidate in deep leagues. 

5. RB Khalil Herbert (5%): He was a healthy scratch on Sunday, but with the NFL’s trade deadline approaching, Herbert could get a fresh start soon. Herbert is worth stashing in case he lands on a RB-needy team.

6. RB Ray Davis (17%): James Cook is the guy in Buffalo, but Davis is an important handcuff with some standalone value.

7. RB Blake Corum (17%): Corum is another important handcuff behind Kyren Williams.

8. RB Trey Benson (17%): Completing the handcuff trio is Benson, who is an important stash behind James Conner, who has never played a full season.

9. RB Keaton Mitchell (4%): He returned to practice last week and could be on track to return to the active roster last week. Mitchell is worth stashing in deep leagues.

10. RB Kimani Vidal (7%): He’s mostly a handcuff behind J.K. Dobbins right now, but Vidal has made the most of his limited touches with the Chargers.

Bonus RBs: Tank Bigsby (69%), Bucky Irving (69%), Jaylen Warren (62%) and Jonathon Brooks (60%) are already rostered in most leagues, but double-check just to make sure they’re not still available in your league. 

Roster percentages for players listed in this article were sourced from ESPN. For more fantasy coverage, check out our fantasy football hub.

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Chargers stock watch: Who’s up, who’s down after Week 6 victory over Broncos

The Chargers suffered a few more injuries in Week 6, but several players stepped up in the meantime.

The Chargers head into Week 7 with a 3-2 record and entirely in the thick of the AFC playoff picture. It was a huge divisional victory against the Broncos as Jim Harbaugh’s squad was able to control the game in the trenches.

A few more injuries stacked up, but it was still a successful weekend for Los Angeles. Check out what Chargers players either improved or hurt their stock in Week.

Stock up: OL Zion Johnson

Johnson has really put things together in his third year in the NFL. That continued in Week 6 against the Broncos, as he was one of the Chargers’ best performers on the field. Johnson has been one of the best guards in the NFL this season, particularly in the run game. He’s one of two Chargers who played 100% of the team’s snaps in 2024. Johnson figures to be a key cog in the future of this evolving offensive line.

Stock down: CB Asante Samuel Jr.

After a superb 2023 campaign, Samuel hasn’t been nearly as good this season. Thankfully, other cornerbacks like Kristian Fulton have stepped up big, and the Chargers will need more of that. Samuel was placed on the IR after the team’s victory over the Broncos. The fourth-year corner has been dealing with a shoulder injury all year, so hopefully, this IR stint will freshen him for the second half of Los Angeles’ schedule.

Stock up: RB Kimani Vidal

Make plays and you’ll earn yourself playing time. That’s just what Vidal did against the Broncos. Heading into Week 6, the rookie tailback had yet to appear in an NFL game. Gus Edwards’ injury forced the Chargers to use Vidal, and he passed with flying colors. The rookie sixth-rounder finished with 51 yards from scrimmage, including a 38-yard receiving touchdown in the first quarter. Vidal may have just won himself the backup running back role behind J.K. Dobbins.

Stock down: RB Gus Edwards

Unfortunately, the veteran appears in this category once again. He’s seen his snaps dwindle as the season has passed, and now he’s been placed on the IR with an ankle injury. With guys like Vidal stepping up, it may be hard for Edwards to see the field if/when he returns from injury later this season.

Stock up: CB Elijah Molden

Molden was all over the field in Sunday’s victory. He’s just the latest example of Jesse Minter’s and the defense’s depth on this squad. With the injury to Samuel, he will be asked to step up in a big way over the next month. In Week 6, Molden finished with four tackles, a pass deflection, and a huge interception on the game’s first drive.

Chargers highlight: Kimani Vidal’s first NFL touch is a touchdown

Kimani Vidal’s first NFL touch goes for 6.

A vocal contingent of fans has been clamoring for rookie Kimani Vidal to see the field. A healthy inactive for the majority of the season behind JK Dobbins, Gus Edwards, and Hassan Haskins, Vidal has been waiting for his opportunity since Los Angeles drafted him in the sixth round this April.

With Edwards on injured reserve with an ankle injury, that opportunity arrived this week, and Vidal instantly took advantage.

After two long runs by Dobbins, the Chargers lined up for a first and 10 on the Broncos 38 yard line. Justin Herbert dropped back and waited as Vidal beat his defender on a wheel route. Herbert put the throw on the rookie, who had to extend for the ball, accelerating down the sideline and beating two Broncos defenders to the end zone.

The play gave LA a 10-0 lead in the first quarter and gave fans a glimpse of what could be to come for the sixth rounder out of Troy.

Chargers roster bubble: 4 players who helped their cause in preseason Week 2

Which Chargers helped themselves as a result of their performances in Week 2 vs. the Rams? Let’s take a look at who impressed.

There’s just a little over a week until all NFL rosters must be cut down to 53 players.

Which players helped themselves the most due to their performances in Week 2 against the Rams? With one preseason game left, let’s look at who impressed.

RB Kimani Vidal

Vidal did not play in the preseason opener as he was dealing with an injury. But in his first NFL game, he showed why he’s worthy of being a part of the running back rotation. The former Troy product finished with 49 yards on 11 carries. He gained 13 and 8 yards on his first two carries, respectively. Vidal displayed tremendous vision and burst to pick up yardage.

WR Simi Fehoko

I’ve had rookie Brenden Rice in my 53-man roster projections for the past month, but that will likely change. Fehoko has put together a solid summer, and he continued to show up on Saturday. He led all receivers with 52 yards on two catches. However, his performance went beyond what he did as a pass-catcher. Fehoko showed great effort as a blocker and made a huge tackle on kickoff coverage.

S Thomas Harper

AJ Finley has made his case for the third safety, but there should be one more spot in the position room. While JT Woods has shown improvement, Harper, the undrafted free agent out of Notre Dame, has also impressed enough to be considered for it. Harper had a pass breakup on fourth down. In the first game of the preseason against the Seahawks, he had a sack.

TE/FB Tucker Fisk

The run blocking was good and Fisk played a part in it. Signed just last week, Fisk came in and was integral as a blocker at tight end and fullback, including on Vidal’s 13-yard run. If he continues to show up in this department in the preseason finale against the Cowboys, he could earn the spot as the fourth tight end.

Chargers preseason: 1 player to watch at each position on offense vs. Rams

There are some roster bubble players on the offensive side of the ball trying to make their case.

The Chargers are getting closer to having to trim their roster to 53 players ahead of their Week 1 matchup against the Raiders.

With a handful of starting jobs already locked up, the next two preseason games, including this weekend’s contest against the Rams, will be all about guys on the roster bubble vying for their spots.

That said, here is one offensive player to watch at each position ahead of Saturday’s matchup.

QB: Luis Perez

While Justin Herbert has been sidelined with an injury to the plantar fascia in his right foot, the offense has struggled during training camp. A lot of it has to do with quarterback play. Easton Stick, who was re-signed to serve as Herbert’s backup, has not done himself any favors with his performances.

Perez, on the other hand, was signed just a week ago, and he has flashed enough to the point where he could push Stick for the job if he keeps stacking good days. The former XFL star led all quarterbacks in passing last weekend with 61 yards.

RB: Kimani Vidal

Heading into training camp, everyone thought it was a near guarantee that Vidal would be a part of the rotation. But now, Vidal finds himself on the roster bubble. In the preseason opener, he suited up for warmups but did not dress for the game. He had been nursing an injury the week leading up to the contest, which likely led to him not playing.

Vidal is a talented back with great vision, contact balance, burst and upside in the passing game. But he must display that in live-game action to try to beat out Isaiah Spiller, who currently has the leg up due to his special teams skills.

WR: Ladd McConkey

Like Vidal, McConkey did not play against the Seahawks, as he had also been dealing with an injury. However, McConkey has been a full participant in practices this week, which points to him making his preseason debut against Seattle.

I don’t know how much he will play, but I’m looking forward to seeing what he showed in college at Georgia and over the past couple of months, with his elite route running, good speed and the ability to create with the football in his hands.

TE: Donald Parham

Parham was seen as the third tight end coming into the summer, but now he finds himself on the roster bubble. The reason is that he hasn’t participated much this summer due to an injury, which has been a concern with Parham.

After missing several practices, Parham had a great day on Tuesday, showing the impact he can make in the passing game. He will not only have to stay healthy and continue to be a reliable target but also show improvement as a blocker.

OL: Foster Sarell

There’s been a battle for the swing tackle spot between Sarell and Alex Leatherwood. And as it stands, Sarell has the leg up. Leatherwood is coming off a poor performance, as he allowed six quarterback pressures. Meanwhile, Sarell had a solid showing and exemplified position flexibility by playing some guard. I’m watching for how he performs along the interior again.

“That’s what he’s aiming for,” Greg Roman said on Sarell playing guard against the Seahawks. “He has a big opportunity. Position flexibility up front is huge. The more he can show that, the better. He’s taken that on in an excited fashion.”

Which players we’re most excited to see in Chargers training camp

Highlighting the players we’re most excited to see in Chargers training camp.

Today marks the first day of Chargers training camp at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA, where there will be plenty of action for the last couple of weeks.

While there are plenty of storylines to follow, we’re focusing on the players and the ones we’re most excited to see.

Here are Chargers Wire’s staff thoughts on who we want to see the most and why.

Gavino: CB Tarheeb Still

There will be a competition for the starting slot cornerback spot and Still will be in contention for it alongside third-year Ja’Sir Taylor. Luckily for the fifth-round pick out of Maryland, he’s already made a case after a strong showing in minicamp, where he deflected multiple passes and picked off Justin Herbert once. I expect Still to continue to make plays in camp and push Taylor for the job.

Alex: RB Kimani Vidal

Usually, getting excited about a sixth-round pick projected to be a third-stringer would be reserved for only the most deranged training camp viewer, but there’s a real shot that Vidal carves out a role in this offense. Greg Roman’s scheme has lent itself well to late-round or UDFA backs before, including presumed starter and former Raven Gus Edwards. Edwards has always been more of a committee back and JK Dobbins is coming off an Achilles tear. The momentum for Vidal could come steaming through the hole sooner than later, just as it did with Baltimore UDFA Keaton Mitchell a season ago.

Valentina: WR Joshua Palmer

Many question marks have surrounded the wide receiver position since Keenan Allen and Mike Williams left the team. Palmer is perfectly poised to take the lead. He has the most chemistry with quarterback Justin Herbert and this is his opportunity to have a breakout season. Palmer has shown flashes of greatness, and if he can find consistency with those moments, he will be poised to lead the wide receiver crew this year.

Fantasy football: Breaking down the LA Chargers backfield

Injury concerns, unproven upside, underwhelming veterans … this backfield has it all.

Perhaps no team has seen a bigger overhaul of skill players than the Los Angeles Chargers, which hired new head coach Jim Harbaugh and are in the process of adapting to his style. Among the departed are last year’s Week 1 starters at running back (Austin Ekeler, Washington Commanders), tight end (Gerald Everett, Chicago Bears), and wide receiver (Keenan Allen, Bears, and Mike Williams, New York Jets). Even their No. 2 rusher, Joshua Kelly, remains unsigned and is unlikely to return.

It’s a lot of change, and yet, the top of LA’s backfield looks familiar … to Baltimore Ravens fans. With former Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman now running the show for Harbaugh, the Bolts waded into free agency to pluck RBs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards on short-term deals. Both have a lot of experience in Roman’s offense, and Harbaugh’s desire to set a physical tone suggests the Chargers will be running more in 2024 than they did under the previous regime.

Of course, the caveat to such an approach is the presence of quarterback Justin Herbert, who is among the NFL’s best. It’s difficult to imagine they’ll fully marginalize the ascending superstar, but with their wideouts in a state of transition, a healthy dose of the ground game feels likely this season.

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.

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.