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Should fantasy players draft Gus Edwards or J.K. Dobbins during their 2024 fantasy football drafts? Mike Fanelli examines the case for both running backs.
The Los Angeles Chargers have been one of the most pass-happy offenses in the NFL over the past few years with Justin Herbert under center. However, that will change in 2024.
Los Angeles moved on from Austin Ekeler after seven seasons with the franchise. The veteran running back is an excellent pass-catcher out of the backfield but doesn’t fit Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman’s offense. The Chargers signed Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins in free agency after both running backs spent last year with the Baltimore Ravens.
However, which running back should fantasy players draft in 2024? Let’s examine the team’s backfield and determine the better fantasy football pick.
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Gus Edwards 2024 Fantasy Football Outlook
Edwards was the RB20 last season, averaging 10.6 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. The veteran had 198 rushing attempts for 810 yards and 13 touchdowns. He finished third among running backs in rushing scores and fifth overall last year. However, Edwards had only 13 career rushing touchdowns entering the 2023 season, making fantasy players nervous that he might be a one-year wonder.
Gus Edwards continues his TD hot streak!
📺: #SEAvsBAL on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/d4RDZpcMkc pic.twitter.com/CQtMdngVwH— NFL (@NFL) November 5, 2023
J.K. Dobbins 2024 Fantasy Football Outlook
Dobbins suffered a torn Achilles in Week 1 last season, totaling eight rushing attempts for 22 yards, a touchdown, and 10.7 half-point PPR fantasy points in the contest. However, the former Ohio State star has been productive when healthy. He ranked top five in juke rate, breakaway run rate, and true yards per rushing attempt in his last healthy season in 2022.
J.K. Dobbins hasn't truly played since 2022, when he finished⤵️
🟢#2 in Juke Rate (43.4%)
🟢#3 in Breakaway Run Rate (10.9%)
🟢#4 in True Yards Per Carry (5.2)All while facing a 35.9% (#1) Stacked Front Carry Rate & less than 100%👀
Will he return to form in 2024?📢 pic.twitter.com/xwZRG5P4T4
— PlayerProfiler (@rotounderworld) August 10, 2024
Who Should I Draft in Fantasy Football?
The starting running back for the Chargers should have significant fantasy value in Harbaugh and Roman’s run-heavy offense. However, which former Ravens running back will be the starter this year?
While Dobbins is the more talented running back, fantasy players can’t ignore his extensive injury history. He suffered a torn ACL in 2021 and a torn Achilles last season. Dobbins has missed 64.2% of the games in his career because of injury. Unfortunately, fantasy players shouldn’t bet on him staying healthy this year. Edwards is the Chargers running back fantasy players want on their team.
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