Edwards, like Ekeler, is a former undrafted player. He’s in line to be Jim Harbaugh’s starting running back, but Dobbins, a former second-round pick, is generating even more hype.
Special traits could make J.K. Dobbins the Los Angeles Chargers’ starting RB
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Gus Edwards started his career with the Baltimore Ravens in 2018. He’s recorded 3,395 yards and 26 touchdowns since. Healthy for 69 games, the ‘Gus Bus’ never seems to break down.
That hasn’t been the story for J.K. Dobbins, who has been with the Ravens since 2020 but has only recorded 1,347 yards and 12 touchdowns. The biggest difference is durability, where Dobbins has been available for just 24 games after missing the entire 2021 season. Compared to Edwards averaging 13.8 games played to Dobbins’ six, the Chargers likely feel they can rely on the former a lot more.
But they also signed Dobbins for a reason, knowing that, when healthy, the 25-year-old can provide some extra juice. With a sparkling 5.8 YPC average in his career, there’s a lot of big-play potential with Dobbins, but he needs to be on the field to reap those rewards.
Yet, ESPN’s Dan Graziano feels Dobbins is a true sleeper candidate to snag the Chargers’ starting job, in due time. When asked about which NFL training camp position battle he’s not quite sold on, he suggested the Chargers’ starting RB role could still be up for grabs.
“I’m going with the Chargers’ starting running back spot. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman knows Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins from his time with them in Baltimore and certainly knows how to use Edwards. But indications are that Dobbins looks like the more explosive of the two, and I wonder if he could force his way into a lead role. I still think Edwards will get goal-line work, because we’ve seen how effective he can be in that role. And I’m well-aware — as are the Chargers — of Dobbins’ history of health issues. But man … he is only 25 years old, and if he can stay healthy one of these years, he has lead-back traits that could make this a no-brainer.”
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler later doubled down, agreeing with his colleague thanks to what he heard from Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman. According to Roman, Dobbins is “as good as anybody” when healthy. Whether he can avoid the injury bug remains to be seen.
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