There is no question that the Los Angeles Chargers want to run the ball and their decline in that aspect arrgueably cost them their playoff game against the Houston Texans.
The Chargers have big decisions to make at the position with Gus Edwards looking unable to fill the role and JK Dobbins hitting free agency. While their are intriguing options in free agency, like Aaron Jones and Najee Harris, the Chargers love of the running game might require they look to the draft to find the answer.
But, the prevailing wisdom over the last seven to 10 years has been avoiding picking a running back in the first round — your best bet at landing the ideal candidate.
Should The Los Angeles Chargers Draft Ashton Jeanty In The First Round?
During the recent National Championship game, ESPN Draft Expert Matt Miller utilized social media to analyze the top prospects in this year’s draft class. In his analysis, Miller discussed the potential for some teams to look past running back Ashton Jeanty, citing the depth of this year’s running back class and the potential for teams to prioritize addressing other more pressing needs.
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“I LOVE Ashton Jeanty, but you have to think about stacking your picks given the depth at RB this year,” Miller wrote on social media. “Jeanty Rd1 + a Rd OT or DE vs. Rd1 OT or DE + Judkins, Johnson, Hampton Rd2 Team needs will obviously factor in, but if I’m a Cowboys or Broncos fan I’m probably hoping we go RB in the 2nd and check a bigger box in Round 1.”
While he advised the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos to avoid the temptation to draft the Boise State phenom, there was one team he thought should go after Jeanty.
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“The exception would be a team like the Chargers,” Miller wrote. “We saw this year what a good RB can do for a team with an established QB.”
Given the Chargers’ recent success with running back JK Dobbins, who delivered a strong performance in 2024, it raises the question of whether they would prioritize drafting Jeanty.
However, the possibility of Coach Jim Harbaugh advocating for the selection of Robinson cannot be entirely dismissed. Inspired by the success of his brother John Harbaugh in Baltimore with Derrick Henry and Nick Sirianni’s achievements with Saquon Barkley in Philadelphia, Coach Harbaugh may strongly advocate for drafting a high-impact running back like Robinson, potentially exerting his significant influence on General Manager Joe Hortiz’s decision-making process.