Sixth-round picks aren't always priorities in Fantasy, but Vidal is an exception because of where he landed and the style of play he brings. Under new coach Jim Harbaugh, the Chargers are expected to be a run-first offense with a potentially dominant offensive line. That's good for any hard-nosed, downhill running back who plays for them, and it's precisely the kind of back Vidal is. At Troy, Vidal produced back-to-back seasons with over 1,250 total yards and 10-plus touchdowns, and was also a factor in the passing game (at least 18 grabs per season). He'll compete this preseason with Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins, both of whom are familiar with this offensive scheme going back to their days in Baltimore, but Edwards is 29 years old and Dobbins is coming back from another season-ending injury. It's not wrong to think that at some point this season Vidal will be the Chargers' lead RB. Drafting him with the expectation to be that guy in September, however, isn't very likely. If you're patient, Vidal is worth a pick after Round 10 in redraft leagues (pass on him if you're not patient). In rookie-only drafts Vidal is a borderline Round 2/3 choice.
Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Likely to handle passing work
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Vidal is expected to handle some of the third-down duties out of the Chargers' backfield this season, Eric Edholm of NFL.com reports.
It makes all of the sense in the world, as both J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards are prototypical between-the-tackles, early-down grinders. Vidal beat out Isaiah Spiller for a roster spot in Los Angeles, and only Hassan Haskins rounds out the depth chart. Haskins is another early-down thumper. Vidal is unlikely to come into any meaningful fantasy value unless one of Dobbins or Edwards gets hurt and opens up more playing time.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Week 1 Waiver Priority List
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I'm hopeful that Vidal will be at least the No. 3 running back for the Chargers behind Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins, and that makes Vidal someone to stash in deeper leagues. Edwards is 29 and Dobbins can't stay healthy, so Vidal could find himself with a big role at some point this season on a Chargers team that should excel at running the ball.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Leads team in rushing Saturday
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Vidal had 11 carries for 49 yards with two receptions (three targets) for eight yards in Saturday's preseason tilt against the Rams.
Vidal was deemed a healthy scratch in the Chargers' preseason opener last week, but the tailback was reportedly dealing with a minor injury leading up to the contest, Gavino Borquez of USA Today reports. The sixth-round selection appeared to be operating at full strength Saturday when he led his team in rushing yards in the absence of J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards (coach's decision). Vidal was the second back to touch the football for the Chargers despite finishing as the top producer, as Jaret Patterson earned the first running back touch in the exhibition loss. The latter finished with 38 combined yards on nine touches as the two young backs continue to duke it out on the depth chart this preseason.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Kept out of preseason opener
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Vidal, who participated in warmups, was held out of the team's 16-3 preseason loss to the Seahawks on Saturday, Daniel Popper of The Athleticreports.
It's not clear why the coaching staff decided to have Vidal and 2024 second-round pick Ladd McConkey (lower body) participate in pre-game warmups but then not have either player in uniform during the game. Given the Chargers' offensive struggles, particularly on the ground (50 yards on 15 designed carries), it's entirely possible Vidal will see substantial playing time in the coming weeks, but it's also worth noting Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins were also held out of the preseason opener despite zero health concerns to date.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Not getting first-team work
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Vidal has been working with backups in training camp while J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards have been receiving first-team reps, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
It shouldn't really be a surprise that a rookie sixth-round pick isn't getting first-team reps when the team has two backs with NFL starting experience under the current offensive coordinator (Greg Roman, who held the same job in Baltimore from 2019 to 2022). The good news for Vidal is that he has a few viable paths to playing time, potentially aided by Dobbins' lengthy medical record (43 missed games in four seasons) and Edwards' history of minimal receiving contributions (30 catches in 69 career games). It's also worth noting that Vidal has a strong prospect profile relative to most Day 3 picks, having run a 4.46-second 40-yard dash time at 5-foot-8 and 213 pounds, after amassing 4,010 yards rushing yards and 33 touchdowns in four seasons at Troy. The first step for Vidal is to push ahead of 2022 fourth-round pick Isaiah Spiller and lock down the third spot on the depth chart.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Tremendous landing spot with Bolts
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The Chargers selected Vidal in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, 181st overall.
After a litany of RBs went off the board in both the fourth and fifth round, Vidal represents one of the few remaining backs capable of carving out a sizable role in an offense, and he couldn't have landed in a better situation than Los Angeles. While both Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins!(knee), if healthy, form a reliable duo, Vidal was a true workhorse for Troy over the past three seasons, registering 3,494 rushing yards including a Sun Belt-leading 1,661 last season. At 5-foot-8, 213 pounds, Vidal's stout frame and supreme balance mask what was a fine, but not stellar, 4.46 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. The 22-year-old doesn't have the prospect profile of someone like Isaiah Spiller, but it'd be a surprise at this point if Vidal doesn't at minimum push for one of the final roster spots, and possibly replace the disappointing 2022 fourth-rounder Spiller down the road.
