NFL Training Camp Care/Don’t Care: Maybe the Xavier Worthy-Patrick Mahomes connection is more than just hype

3 Things I Care About

Chargers’ skill-position battles

The hive mind seems to believe that because Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman want to come in and establish a physical, effective run game in L.A., the Chargers’ offense is finished. You can build an efficient offense only by pushing the ball through the air as much as possible. Taking the ball out of Justin Herbert’s hands is akin to football treason, never mind the data we’ve received from the quarterback’s career so far.

I don’t agree with that line of thinking at all.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

I believe that the offense that Harbaugh and Co. want to put together in Los Angeles is correctly in line with the current meta of the league and should, in time, produce some of the most efficient units of Herbert’s career. Volume is not everything.

With that thesis in mind, and because Herbert is still one of the five best quarterbacks in the league, I care deeply about who emerges at Los Angeles’ skill positions. All three of the running back, wide receiver and tight end rooms should be a straight competition, with the best options in camp rising to the top of the Week 1 depth chart.

In the backfield, Gus Edwards should be considered the odds-on favorite to lead in carries. Since we know this is a team that wants to lean into the ground game, that matters. However, I’ll be paying attention to see if a surprise performance by rookie Kimani Vidal pushes him. Maybe the chances are slim to none, but it’s also worth monitoring JK Dobbins’ health because, at his peak, he would easily be the best back on this roster. The days of such hope are likely behind us, but we should still be open to anyone emerging from this group playing a consequential role.

As for the wide receiver room, I don’t think any past performance or former pedigree will matter to Harbaugh and Roman. Quentin Johnston’s status as a Round 1 player under the old regime likely carries zero weight. If he has a down camp,…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-training-camp-caredont-care-maybe-the-xavier-worthy-patrick-mahomes-connection-is-more-than-just-hype-222753745.html

Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2024-07-23 22:27:53

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.