With so much change for the Los Angeles Chargers this past offseason, headlined by new head coach Jim Harbaugh, every player’s fantasy value is uncertain. Such is the case for rookie running back Kimani Vidal, who is listed third on the Chargers’ depth chart at running back but could still have some value for fantasy managers.
Let’s take a look at Vidal’s fantasy outlook for this season.
Kimani Vidal’s Fantasy Profile for the 2024 NFL Season
Although a late-round pick in last April’s NFL Draft, Vidal’s production during his time in college at Troy was impressive. Vidal rushed for over 4,000 yards in four seasons at Troy (4,010), including 1,661 yards and 14 touchdown runs last season.
Vidal had the second-most rushing yards in the FBS last season, and no player in the FBS had more carries in the 2023 season than Vidal (297). In addition, over his final two seasons he rushed for 2,793 yards and scored 25 total touchdowns.
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His ability to catch passes out of the backfield can certainly be called into question after just 18 receptions in 14 games for the Trojans last season.
Is Vidal a Good Fantasy Pick?
Despite being a Day 3 draft pick and not currently among the top two running backs on the Chargers’ depth chart, Vidal is the No. 55 running back in Pro Football Network’s Consensus Fantasy Football Rankings as of Aug. 26.
To put that in a little perspective, Vidal ranks just behind New England Patriots backup running back Antonio Gibson (No. 52) and ahead of Chicago Bears running backs Khalil Herbert (No. 56) and Roschon Johnson (No. 57).
Although he is only third on the Chargers’ depth chart, there is some intrigue behind Vidal. The fact that a sixth-round draft pick could make a roster should tell fantasy managers that Harbaugh and his coaching staff like what they see in Vidal.
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And offensive coordinator Greg Roman is certainly a coach who doesn’t mind a good ground game. In 10 seasons as an NFL offensive coordinator, Roman’s teams ranked in the top 10 in rush attempts and rush yards every season. So, expecting more of the same with this Chargers team is probably understandable.
As for Vidal’s competition to get on the field, it’s a bit of a good news/bad news situation. The players ahead of Vidal on the depth chart — Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins — are decent but hardly Pro Bowl-caliber players at this stage of their careers. Neither has even rushed for 900 yards in a season, so moving up on the charts for any player shouldn’t be viewed as impossible.
On the other hand, neither player is even 30 years old yet, and Dobbins is still only 25, although he has been injury-prone, playing in only nine games over the last two seasons due to injury.
Edwards and Dobbins also have the added advantage of having played in Roman’s system when they were all in the Baltimore Ravens organization.
All this being said, Vidal’s quest to get on the field and show what he can do seems like a definite possibility, and fantasy managers looking to capitalize down the road on Vidal might want to consider a late-round pick in their respective fantasy drafts.