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Joshua Kelley 2020 Outlook: Lottery Ticket With A Path To Playing Time
5 years agoLos Angeles Chargers rookie running back Joshua Kelley was drafted with the sixth pick of the fourth-round in the 2020 NFL Draft. He is an immediate candidate to take the backup job from Justin Jackson because Jackson has been underwhelming when he has been given opportunities. Kelley is a big-bodied, physical downhill runner, and he projects as the short-yardage and goal-line back in this offense. The former UCLA Bruin is also quicker than he looks (4.49 40-yard dash/80th percentile), and has excellent vision in the open field. For the most part, Austin Ekeler is going to handle the majority of the running back work early on, but he does not have the frame to be a 200-carry guy while also maintaining a prominent role in the passing game. The Chargers are going to have to give other ball carriers some meaningful snaps, and Kelley should be the guy to answer the call. Further, the Chargers are likely to be more run-heavy without Philip Rivers, and their beefed-up defense should keep them in close games. The rookie currently sits at RB67 in ADP, and he possesses tremendous upside if Ekeler misses any time. Kelley is a must-draft for Ekeler owners, and he is a lottery ticket running back for everyone else at the end of their draft.
