Chargers backfield just got dangerous by adding J.K. Dobbins
New Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh is bringing a brand of smashmouth football to the franchise. A great representation of Harbaugh's philosophy resides in how the Chargers have revamped their backfield via free agency.
The Chargers added Gus Edwards in March, and now they've added J.K. Dobbins, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
Both Dobbins and Edwards come to the Chargers after spending the first portion of their careers with the Baltimore Ravens, where current Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman was the Ravens OC from 2019-22.
Both backs should have no trouble learning the Chargers offensive scheme and being able to run with authority. Dobbins has averaged 5.8 yards per carry throughout his career and Edwards has averaged 4.9. While Dobbins has been elite during his NFL career, he's had bad luck with injuries. Still just 25, Dobbins tore his Achilles last season and tore his ACL in 2021. The Chargers are banking on Dobbins to be healthy moving forward and to produce like he has in the past.
The Los Angeles rushing attack ranked No. 27 in rushing yards per carry last season with 3.8. Dobbins and Edwards, along with what figures to be an improved offensive line, should culminate in the best rushing rankings the Chargers have had in years, perhaps all the way back to the days of LaDainian Tomlinson.
"Can you imagine Justin Herbert with a great running game?" Greg Roman said last month, per ESPN. "We don't know, but I can imagine what it might look like. That's kind of the vision."
Back in February Harbaugh talked about the importance of establishing a good running game to keep Justin Herbert healthy and to not put too much on his shoulders. Herbert's an elite quarterback, but it's a team game, and balanced attacks are still necessary to win the Super Bowl, or even the NFC West.
“Protecting him. We need a run game," Harbaugh said. "We need to be able to be balanced so he doesn’t have to be Superman every single play.”
The Chargers offense will likely need to add more reinforcements at wide receiver after trading Keenan Allen to the Chicago Bears and releasing Mike Williams. However, that position will likely be targeted in the NFL Draft, perhaps as soon as the first round where the Chargers have the No. 5 overall pick. While receiver is a question still a question mark, the depth at running back is not. Dobbins and Edwards could do a lot of damage for Los Angeles this season.
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