The Chargers ruled J.K. Dobbins (knee) out for Sunday’s game vs. the Falcons in Atlanta, so the run-heavy offense will be without its starting running back for the first time this season. Gus Edwards ($4,300) is expected to get most of the work with Dobbins out, but Kimani Vidal ($4,000) is also likely to be in the mix. With so much more work coming their way, should you start or sit Edwards or Vidal in Week 13?
Gus Edwards’ value
Since Dobbins’ injury happened on Monday Night Football, the DFS salaries were already out for this week. As a result, Edwards is priced as Dobbins’ backup at only $4,300, so he’s probably the cheapest lead back available in DFS contests like the NFL $2.5M Fantasy Football Millionaire [$1M to 1st].
Edwards was heavily involved with double-digit carries in each of the first two weeks of the season but had a smaller role in Week 3 and Week 4 before sustaining an ankle injury that landed him on IR. He returned with 55 yards on 10 carries in Week 10 vs. the Titans and scored his first touchdown of the season in Week 12 vs. the Ravens.
On the year, he has totaled 206 yards in seven games but only averaged 3.3 yards per carry and has only added one catch for two yards.
Edwards can be a solid short-yardage and goal-line option, but he doesn’t bring a ton of sizzle, big-play potential or production in the passing game.
Kimani Vidal’s upside
While he’s not as reliable as the Gus Bus, Vidal is flashier and brings more upside–think of him as more of a sports car.
The rookie made a splash back in Week 6 with Gus sidelined by hauling in a 38-yard touchdown on his first NFL touch.
Kimani Vidal SZN ⚡️🚀 pic.twitter.com/tfIIzwnm9B
— Chargers Country (@ChargersCountry) November 27, 2024
Things haven’t gone great since then, though. He only managed 44 yards on 18 carries (2.4 yards-per-carry) and has only caught two more passes for 11 yards since that big splash play.
Since Gus returned in Week 10, Vidal has been a healthy inactive for three games, but offensive coordinator Greg Roman indicated that the rookie will return this week:
#Chargers OC Greg Roman on Kimani Vidal:
“We fully expect Kimani to step in if J.K. [Dobbins] can’t go, which doesn’t look like he will this week. He’s been in there before. Might get a little bit bigger workload, we’ll see. We have full confidence in him and where he’s at. It’s… pic.twitter.com/m1MaFZTXN5
— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) November 29, 2024
Before sliding to the Chargers in the sixth round of last year’s NFL Draft, Vidal was an absolute workhorse the past few years for Troy. He starred as a three-year starter and set pretty much all the school records while scoring 34 touchdowns. Last year, he had seven games with at least 100 yards and totaled 1,661 yards on 297 carries, finishing with the second-most rushing yards in the country.
He’s less of a sure role than Edwards and will likely play fewer snaps, but he brings a higher ceiling and more potential if you don’t mind the extra risk.
The bottom line
Edwards is the safer play but Vidal has a higher ceiling this week until we get a clear view of the timshare. I wouldn’t start either in season-long leagues unless you’re desperate.
However, in DFS both demand attention since they come so cheap and have good upside. I prefer to “swing for the fences” with Vidal, but either one could be a huge value play if they get into the end zone against the Falcons. Atlanta has allowed six running back touchdowns this season–three as receivers out of the backfield. Running backs have caught at least six passes in four straight games, which could make Vidal the better play if he gets the work in the passing game.
The Chargers are 1-point road favorites against the Falcons with the over/under set at 47.5. Edwards is -105 to score a touchdown and Vidal has even better value at +450.
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