Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Chargers running backs Kimani Vidal and Isaiah Spiller are locked into a positional battle for the No. 3 running back spot behind Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins (Achilles). With Dobbins recovering from injury and Edwards no stranger to injury himself, this team's No. 3 running back is an important position. Spiller is the incumbent but also a product of the previous regime. Spiller has only rushed for a total of 137 yards on 2.5 YPC in two seasons in the NFL. Vidal was a sixth-round pick out of Troy in April's draft. With a solid size-to-speed ratio, Vidal is an exciting young prospect. If Dobbins and Edwards get and stay healthy through training camp, then it is more likely that this positional battle will come down to blocking acumen and special team play. Given that Vidal is the pick of the Harbaugh regime and Spiller has been so abysmal to start his career, Vidal may be able to separate himself. If he wins the job and Dobbins or Edwards gets injured, Vidal could be a sneaky fantasy add in a Chargers offense that projects to be run-heavy.

The Athletic's Daniel Popper thinks Los Angeles Chargers wide receivers Joshua Palmer, rookie Ladd McConkey and DJ Chark Jr. will start in 11 personnel packages to begin the 2024 season. McConkey was mostly playing the slot in spring practices, Palmer can play inside and outside, and Chark fits as a true X receiver due to his size, speed and contested-catch ability. Palmer could emerge as quarterback Justin Herbert's top target because he's already established rapport with Herbert and is the most complete receiver in the Chargers' receiving corps. But McConkey is extremely refined as a route-runner and will push for targets immediately. As of right now, it looks like former first-rounder Quentin Johnston is the No. 4 after displaying poor route-running and key drops in his rookie campaign. Palmer has plenty of opportunity in 2024 and is worth a late-round flier as a fantasy sleeper.

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Brenden Rice posted career-highs in receptions (45), receiving yards (791), and receiving touchdowns (12) in 2023 while catching passes from USC's Caleb Williams, but he still fell to L.A. in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft. According to Daniel Popper of the Athletic, Rice could be facing an uphill battle to make the opening 53-man roster. "The two rookie draft picks, Brenden Rice and Cornelius Johnson, did not show me much during the spring," Popper wrote. "They will both likely be fighting for roster spots." This is not uncommon for Day 3 selections, but many held out hope that the son of Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice could exceed expectations. Popper projects Joshua Palmer, Ladd McConkey, D.J. Chark, Quentin Johnston, and Derius Davis as locks to make the roster, and the team might only carry five wide receivers in the new-look Greg Roman-led offense.

Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal is the current projected RB3 in Greg Roman's offense, according to Daniel Popper of The Athletic. The sixth-round rookie out of Troy appears to be a popular sleeper candidate in 2024 after posting over 1,600 rushing yards and 15 total touchdowns in his final collegiate season. He is slated to be behind veterans and former Baltimore Ravens Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins to open the season. However, Dobbins is coming off his second major injury of his short career, and we have not seen a running back return to form after an Achilles tear. Vidal is worth stashing in deep formats in case Dobbins struggles, but any Day 3 rookie is far from guaranteed a roster spot or a significant role in Year 1, so don't reach on him in fantasy drafts.

The Athletic's Daniel Popper sees running back Gus Edwards as the Los Angeles Chargers' clear lead back heading into training camp. The secondary touches behind Edwards are open for competition, but Popper thinks J.K. Dobbins wins that battle if he's healthy over Kimani Vidal and Isaiah Spiller. Edwards was nursing an undisclosed injury during spring workouts, but head coach Jim Harbaugh said he should be ready for camp. Edwards, 29, had a career year in 2023 in his final season with the Baltimore Ravens, rushing for 810 yards and 13 touchdowns on 198 carries over 17 regular-season games (nine starts). While he should see plenty of touches in LA's new run-first offense, Edwards showed signs of decline last year and will face plenty of TD regression. He could also lose valuable touches to Dobbins (if healthy) and Vidal, so fantasy managers shouldn't reach for Edwards just based off his touchdown production last year.