Austin Ekeler, one of the best running backs in Los Angeles Chargers history, is now a member of the Washington Commanders. The Chargers could take to the upcoming NFL Draft to replace him in the lineup.
The Chargers have already signed two former Baltimore Ravens running backs in free agency this offseason — Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins. However, Edwards is more of a straight-ahead runner and Dobbins, though quite talented, has had injury concerns throughout his career.
The other backs currently on the roster are Isaiah Spiller, Elijah Dotson and Jaret Patterson. There will be an excellent opportunity for a rookie to come aboard and make a quick impact, just as Ekeler did went he was signed as an undrafted free agent by the team in 2017.
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This is a strong draft class, but it’s not considered great at the running back position. That could lead to a team finding a gem late in the draft or even in the undrafted process.
The Chargers could have to fly way under the radar to find a replacement for Ekeler and that would be appropriate as he came from tiny Western Colorado and at 5-foot-10, was considered “too small” by most to play in the NFL.
The Chargers will be looking for a hard-working, tough runner who is an asset in the passing game and a player who doesn’t have to come off of the field due to not being able to protect in the passing game. That is how to truly replace the man who sits at No. 3 on the team’s all-time rushing yardage list.
Here are three candidates to be that guy.
Kimani Vidal, Troy
Kimani Vidal got a ton of work in college, carrying the ball nearly 800 times for over 4,000 yards. He can catch the ball out of the backfield at an above-average clip but there are questions surrounding his ability in pass protection.
He is a late-round pick of undrafted prospect, but he could be that guy that no one thinks about who eventually turns into a regular contributor.
Dylan Laube, New Hampshire
If the Chargers want the closest thing to what Ekeler was coming out of college, it might be Dylan Laube. But even Laube gets more national recognition than Ekeler did ahead of the draft.
Big UNH RB Dylan Laube guy. Tape don’t lie! https://t.co/oElMgkrQ4R
— Todd McShay (@McShay13) April 22, 2024
Laube has traits that would make him a solid third-down back or kick returner to begin his career, but he may be one of the best receiving backs in this entire draft. That alone should get him a look and that could be what the Chargers could use to turn him into a key roster piece at some point.
Jaden Shirden, Monmouth
An NFL player from Monmouth? That’s something you don’t see every day, but there is a reason why so many draft analysts like Shirden as one of the top dart-throw prospects in this class.
He is just 5-foot-9, but he rushed for 3,200 and 23 touchdowns the past two seasons. Yes, that was against lower-level competition, but the team that signs this guy as an undrafted rookie or takes a shot on him in one of the late rounds is not going to be disappointed.
