As long as Los Angeles Chargers running backs Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins are healthy, they will be the unquestioned top two RBs on the team's depth chart. The real battle in training camp and in the preseason will be for the third and fourth spots on the depth chart, according to The Athletic's Daniel Popper. Jaret Patterson, who spent most of last year on the team's practice squad, got a notable amount of work with the first-team offense in training camp practice on Thursday. Edwards was limited to individual drills on Thursday, but it's notable that Patterson appears to be ahead of rookie sixth-rounder Kimani Vidal early in camp. The 24-year-old former undrafted free agent has averaged 4.0 yards per carry in his two NFL seasons with the Washington Commanders. Patterson is unlikely to see a big role for the Bolts this year.

From RotoBaller

The Athletic's Daniel Popper writes that Los Angeles Chargers second-round rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey, DJ Chark Jr. and Joshua Palmer were working with the first-team offense in training camp practice on Thursday. As of early in camp, it appears that last year's first-rounder, Quentin Johnston, is the team's No. 4 wideout. The 22-year-old McConkey has already developed notable chemistry with quarterback Justin Herbert this offseason and could be one of his go-to targets now that both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are on other teams in 2024. McConkey is an excellent route-runner and deserves attention as at least a late-round flier for receiving depth in PPR fantasy leagues this fall. It's still early in camp, but McConkey's development is worth keeping a close eye on.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Chargers WR Ladd McConkey was one of the three receivers for starter-on-starter reps on Thursday, July 25, joining WRs Joshua Palmer and DJ Chark Jr.

Fantasy Spin: There's definite upside with McConkey, and it's interesting to note that Palmer and Chark are running ahead of last year's first-round pick, Quentin Johnston. This is a situation that bears watching after Keenan Allen and Mike Williams both departed in the offseason.

From TheHuddle

Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins (Achilles) told reporters Thursday that he is one of the league's best running backs when healthy. "Ya'll know how much yards I averaged per carry," said Dobbins. The former Baltimore Raven has averaged 5.8 yards per carry since entering the league in 2020 -- the highest of any running back in that time. However, performance hasn't been the issue for the former Ohio State Buckeye; his availability has. He's appeared in just 24 of a potential 73 career games after falling victim to tears in his ACL and Achilles over the last few seasons. Despite this, Dobbins still views himself as a top talent in the league. "I feel like I'm in college out there right now," Dobbins said. "And I do think that the storm is over... You guys will see -- it'll be special." Dobbins has been a full go through two days of training camp, while Gus Edwards has yet to participate in team drills after an unspecified offseason surgery. Interestingly enough, Dobbins is currently being selected as the RB49 (ADP 150) -- 30 picks after Gus Edwards (RB40). It's possible he can provide some value this year with the caveat that he remains healthy.

From RotoBaller

After working on the side during June's minicamp, Gus Edwards was seen working out in full uniform and going through individual drills during training camp on Wednesday along with J.K. Dobbins. Edwards was reported to have had an offseason procedure, but it looks like Edwards will increase his work as camp continues. Both Edwards and Dobbins will jockey for touches in a competitive backfield along with rookie Kimani Vidal and veteran Isaiah Spiller. Edwards should have a leg up on the group as an early-down back and also receiving goal-line work, while Dobbins' Achilles injury recovery will likely be handled more cautiously by the team. It's looking like Edwards is a mid-round value RB3 for fantasy managers in 2024, while Dobbins' status throughout training camp should be closely monitored.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said on Wednesday that running back Gus Edwards (undisclosed) had an offseason surgery, and the Chargers are giving him a "longer runway" to be a full participant in practice. Edwards didn't participate in team drills on Wednesday, but he went through individuals. The 29-year-old power back is entering his first year away from the Baltimore Ravens as Los Angeles' presumptive lead back over J.K. Dobbins (knee), but the latter could make his case for a more prominent role if the former is eased back into action this summer. After scoring 13 touchdowns in 17 games with the Ravens last year, Edwards is still fine to draft in fantasy leagues as a touchdown-dependent RB3 until a clearer picture emerges of how the touches will be divvied up in this backfield, but rookie Kimani Vidal also looms as a threat.

From RotoBaller

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.

From RotoBaller

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.

From RotoBaller

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.

From RotoBaller

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.

From RotoBaller

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.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has had three offensive coordinators in just four NFL seasons, so he has plenty of experience in learning a new system. He's set to play under former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman in 2024, and center Bradley Bozeman, who played from Roman in Baltimore, said Herbert is having no trouble picking up the offense. "He acts like he's been in the system for 10 years," Bozeman recently said. "He dives so deep into the system and knows it so well before anyone else could even grasp it. It's been impressive to see him put people in the right positions and just elevate people around him." Herbert is set to play in a run-heavy offense, but his efficiency could see an uptick behind an improved offensive line. He will look to elevate a mid-level supporting cast of Ladd McConkey, Joshua Palmer, D.J. Chark, and Quentin Johnston heading into his fifth NFL campaign.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey was selected at the beginning of the second round in the 2024 NFL Draft, and he has a chance to make a significant impact right away after the organization moved on from Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Austin Ekeler this offseason. The veteran trio was responsible for most of L.A.'s receiving production over the last few seasons, so there are big holes to fill in Justin Herbert's offense. According to Herbert, McConkey has excelled right away. "He's just picked up the offense so easily. It's like he's been a four- or five-year vet," Herbert said. "He understands the game." The Georgia product didn't have impressive numbers in college, but he was sharing the field with standout tight end Brock Bowers in a run-heavy offense and dealt with several injuries. If he becomes Herbert's go-to target right away, he has at least weekly flex appeal and WR2 upside in 2024.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey signed his four-year rookie deal on Monday. The 22-year-old was selected with the No. 34 overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. He played 39 games at Georgia, starting 21, and totaled 119 catches for 1,687 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also had four more scores on the run. McConkey has received positive reviews from teammates this offseason, and with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams no longer on the roster, the rookie is worth considering late in fantasy drafts heading into the 2024-25 campaign.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was very impressed with rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey during offseason workouts, and the second-rounder displayed the most potential throughout the offseason program with his precise route-running and sudden quickness in tight spaces. "It's like he's been a four- or five-year vet," Herbert said. "He understands the game. He understands leverage. He's a smart player, and he's very athletic. I'm really looking forward to getting him the ball." McConkey is gaining steam in dynasty/keeper leagues and could even be worth a late-round flier for receiver depth in deeper redraft leagues this fall if he continues to look good when the pads go on in training camp. There is opportunity in LA's receiver room with both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams no longer in town.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said that running back Gus Edwards (undisclosed) "has been on a really good track" and is "likely" to be back for training camp at the end of July. Edwards worked off to the side with trainers during mandatory minicamp with an undisclosed injury. The 29-year-old should be ready for the start of the 2024 regular season, but it's worth monitoring his health this summer as he enters his first season in LA. With Austin Ekeler gone, Edwards should be the primary RB in the Bolts' backfield in what will be a run-first offense under new coordinator Greg Roman. Behind him will be J.K. Dobbins, rookie Kimani Vidal and Isaiah Spiller. Edwards isn't much of a pass-catcher and has durability issues, but he managed a career-high 13 touchdowns in 17 regular-season games in Baltimore in 2023. Don't expect double-digit TDs in his first year in LA, though.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey was a big winner of the 2024 NFL Draft after being selected with the No. 34 overall pick to play with quarterback Justin Herbert. According to Chargers.com writer Eric Smith, McConkey and Herbert are developing strong chemistry this offseason. "As for Herbert's favorite target Tuesday, that seemed to be rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey," Smith wrote. "Herbert had eight total reps in 11-on-11 drills midway through practice, with five of those plays being passes.McConkey caught two of them as he continued to show a strong rapport with No. 10.The Bolts second-round pick later caught two other passes in full-team drills, both of which came when McConkey was working over the middle of the field." With Mike Williams and Keenan Allen departing this offseason, McConkey has a clear path to the No. 1 wide receiver role. Quentin Johnston was a complete bust in Year 1, while veteran Joshua Palmer profiles as a No. 3 option. Fantasy managers should be careful not to fall for "rookie hype," but McConkey could have legitimate weekly flex appeal in his rookie campaign.

From RotoBaller

The Los Angeles Chargers officially signed rookie first-round offensive tackle Joe Alt to a four-year, $33.2 million deal on Monday after he was selected fifth overall in April's NFL draft. Alt was predictably the first offensive tackle off the board in 2024. Although he should eventually be a starting left tackle in the NFL, he'll initially start at right tackle in Los Angeles under new head coach Jim Harbaugh in LA with Rashawn Slater at left tackle. The Bolts are hoping Alt will be part of a much-improved offensive line this year with an added emphasis on the ground game to take pressure off of young quarterback Justin Herbert. The 21-year-old Alt hails out of Notre Dame and stands at 6-foot-8 and 321 pounds. Alt showed in his college career that he can excel in both run-blocking and in pass protection.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer (knee), who has been rehabbing a knee injury that kept him out of six games last year, said he got the most repetitions of the offseason in Tuesday's organized team activities. After posting a career-best 58.1 receiving yards per game last year, Palmer's role is set to increase even more in 2024 now that both Mike Williams and Keenan Allen are out of town. However, he'll still be competing for targets with former first-rounder Quentin Johnston and second-round rookie Ladd McConkey, not to mention DJ Chark. The Bolts' offense is also transitioning to a run-first unit under head coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman, so Palmer is far from a lock to break out this year. However, the 24-year-old's big-play ability makes him enticing as WR depth.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Chargers rookie second-round wide receiver Ladd McConkey is already developing a connection with quarterback Justin Herbert at organized team activities this week. McConkey played both inside and outside on Monday, but the majority of his snaps with the first-team offense came in the slot. The 22-year-old from Georgia has a real opportunity to become a key piece of the Chargers' passing game in his rookie season with both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams moving on in the offseason. He should start in three-wide sets with second-year wideout Quentin Johnston and Joshua Palmer, and McConkey's speed and versatility could make him a reliable target for Herbert. The Bolts figure to run the ball more under new head coach Jim Harbaugh, but McConkey is in a situation to be worth taking a late-round flier on in deeper fantasy leagues this fall.

From RotoBaller