JK Dobbins signs with the Chargers: The Dynasty Fantasy Football Impact
Not so long ago, former Ravens running back JK Dobbins was one of the most coveted running backs in all of fantasy football. After all, the former Ohio State superstar had a second round pedigree and a rookie season that featured 805 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on a robust six yards per carry. Unfortunately, Dobbins’ career has been defined by a host of injuries, including a brutal torn Achilles in week one last year, sidelining him for the entire season. In fact, Dobbins has been able to play in just nine games the past three years after that promising rookie campaign. The Ravens chose not to bring him back and Dobbins has spent the past few weeks watching running back after running back sign new deals while he was hoping for a team to give him a chance. Ultimately, that happened today as the Chargers signed him to a one-year contract. The move is an interesting one based on the landing spot and could have some dynasty impact. Let’s take a look at the new look Chargers backfield and re-assess some values.
JK Dobbins, RB LAC
It’s weird how everything comes full circle. Los Angeles has quickly turned into “Baltimore West” as Dobbins will be reunited not only with former Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman but also with former “thunder” backfield partner Gus Edwards. With a depth chart really lacking a lot of talent at the position, this is about as good a landing spot as you could have hoped for with Dobbins, at least for now. The Chargers are certainly a prime candidate to take a running back in the NFL Draft, so there’s a grain of salt that must be taken with all of this. However, let’s just stay in the present for now.
In Los Angeles, Dobbins looks like he’ll have a chance to prove he’s healthy at this point. If that holds true, this is bargain of a deal for the Chargers as he has proven to be one of the most explosive running backs in the league. His career 5.8 yards per carry average is the highest among running backs with at least 200 carries since 2020. He also posted a run of at least ten yards on over 15% of his career carries, which rivals the very best runners in the league.
Still, none of this really matters as Dobbins hasn’t proven to be able to stay healthy for a long stretch of time. The list of running backs to come back from a torn ACL is long and lengthy but those who come back from a torn Achilles is much, much shorter. Coming back from both? Yikes. Dobbins is unlikely to be ready for the start of the season but could form a nice duo with Edwards towards the back half of the year should he beat the odds. There’s little question about him being motivated, at least. Dobbins is essentially on the biggest one-year prove it deal of his life and needs to show some signs of his old self in order to secure a long-term deal at the end of next season with the Chargers or another franchise. At this point, it looks like his ADP will stop its freefall. Dobbins remains a high-risk asset in dynasty leagues and one without much trade value. However, he’s still roster worthy as a player who is still relatively young and could re-emerge.
Gus Edwards, RB LAC
This signing may actually be the best news Edwards could get in terms of his dynasty value. Dobbins equates to little more than a high-upside lottery ticket and certainly not a player who is going to come in and steal a starting job as a workhorse. If the Chargers don’t add another significant running back in the NFL Draft, Edwards could indeed be a starting running back again this season, something that would have seemed extremely unlikely just a few weeks ago. The Chargers are saying all the right things about giving Edwards the ball and they may do just that – this signing changes none of that. Edwards is still a risky trade target before the NFL Draft but if Los Angeles does indeed pass on a significant running back, he’s going to be a solid target in dynasty leagues for teams that see themselves as true dynasty league contenders. Stay tuned.
Isaiah Spiller, RB LAC
Remember when Spiller was a highly thought of running back coming out of Texas A&M? At one point, many dynasty managers looked at him as a first round rookie pick. Unfortunately, Spiller dropped all the way down to the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft and really hasn’t been heard from since. The addition of Dobbins doesn’t really make or break things for him but it’s clear the Chargers really don’t think that highly of him and a new coaching regime won’t really help.
Elijah Dotson, RB LAC
The only other running back of note on the roster is Dotson, who played sparingly in his rookie season. It’s hard to see him doing much and he’s simply a player to keep on watch lists at the moment based on the lack of true depth on the roster at the position at the moment. If the Chargers add more to the stable, he may not make the final roster and certainly isn’t worth a spot on yours at this point.
Rookie Running Backs
Even with the signing of Dobbins, it’s hard not to look at this roster and see it as a prime landing spot for a rookie running back. The true plans of the Chargers will be revealed soon enough but dynasty managers have to hope one of the better runners lands on this roster as it’s difficult to see “Baltimore West” as a long-term solution. Hmm.
Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK
