Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman stated during the offseason that they wanted to run the ball often during the 2024 NFL season.
They accomplished that goal in their season-opening win over the Raiders — and their success doing so was thanks largely to free-agent addition JK Dobbins.
The Chargers signed Dobbins to a one-year deal during the offseason. The 2020 second-round pick spent the first four years of his career with John Harbaugh's Ravens but was looking for a change of scenery after struggling to stay healthy in Baltimore.
Dobbins looked spry in his Los Angeles debut and achieved something he hadn't since 2022: a 100-yard rushing game. That should be enough for Jim Harbaugh and Roman to feel comfortable in trusting the 25-year-old as the backfield leader as long as he can stay on the field.
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JK Dobbins stats
Dobbins logged more than 100 rushing yards in a game for the first time since 2022 in his Chargers debut. He ripped off a whopping 135 yards on 10 carries and scored the team's lone rushing touchdown of the contest.
Below is a full look at his stats and where they ranked among the Chargers' backfield rotation.
| Stat | Total | Rank |
| Carries | 10 | 2nd |
| Rushing yards | 135 | 1st |
| Rushing TDs | 1 | 1st |
| Yards per carry | 13.5 | 1st |
Gus Edwards had just one more carry than Dobbins during Los Angeles' 22-10 win, but he generated just 26 yards on those carries. Given that Dobbins outpaced his backfield mate, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Dobbins overtake him in the pecking order, though the Chargers will likely still use a rotation to keep Dobbins fresh and healthy.
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JK Dobbins fantasy outlook
Dobbins should be a high-upside RB2/flex in fantasy as long as he remains healthy. He's not the clear-cut backfield leader for the Chargers, but he has the explosiveness needed to make the most of his touches.
The Chargers also figure to be one of the most run-heavy teams in the NFL, considering the play-calling tendencies of Harbaugh and Roman. That should give Dobbins solid volume each week. The only concern he faces is whether he will be able to stay healthy given that he has played just 10 total games since the start of the 2021 season.
But even with those concerns, Dobbins should be viewed as a top-25 RB. That puts him in the RB2 range and will make him a flex play at worst in smaller leagues.
