The Los Angeles Chargers were terrible in 2023 and as a result, so was just about every player on the team. That included Austin Ekeler, who had become a favorite amongst the fanbase but many fans were off that bandwagon by the end of the season.
Ekeler signed with the Washington Commanders in free agency, looking for a fresh start. That left the Los Angeles backfield with little to work with but Joe Hortiz and Jim Harbaugh went to work, adding former Baltimore Ravens Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins.
But it was a move that the team made in the draft, one that has not been widely discussed, that could end up paying off the most.
Though Ekeler had a down year in 2023, he was an important cog in the offense. He was one of the league's best pass-catching running backs, and the team won't get that same output from Edwards and Dobbins. Harbaugh's offense will be constructed much differently, but the team can still use a shifty runner who can catch passes out of the backfield.
Enter Kimani Vidal.
Kimani Vidal advertised as a complete three down back by GM Joe Hortiz.
— Elite Drafters (@Elite_Drafters) May 7, 2024
Complimenting him on great vision, contact balance, burst, pass catching and pass protection.
At 215 lbs, 5’8 and 1,862 yards last year Vidal has the potential to be a star RB1. pic.twitter.com/PR8ICmRwVL
When I looked at running backs the team could select in the draft to replace Ekeler, Vidal was the main target on the list. He just happened to land in L.A. and it is a perfect fit.
Vidal is the all-time leading rusher at Troy. He was a workhorse in college and had an extreme nose for the end zone, crossing the goal line 24 times in the last two seasons. While he may not be as adept as a receiver as Ekeler, he is more than capable and can improve that trait with the right coaching.
Edwards and Dobbins (should he stay healthy), should get the bulk of the work for the Chargers this coming season. But Vidal is a great future asset for this team.
