Elijah Dotson Makes the Initial 53 (Was Poll)

[Fouts2herbert]

I just don’t get keeping guys like Kelley at this point. McKitty either, just move the fuck on.

I can't even put Kelley in the same category as McKitty, Kelley fumbled a couple times in 2020 and then got buried in the depth chart until last year when he finally got a chance to show he had overcome those issues he came out and ran efficiently, he consistently gained yards, he eliminated losing yardage plays and the fumbles, he also took care of his QB in pass protection, plus he plays aggressive on STs too...he's made himself into a solid backup...

McKitty is an empty jersey, he was drafted a round higher than kelley in day two and he has shown zero growth, he is clearly a bust...even someone like me that liked him coming out in the 2021 draft can see that he has not "fixed" whatever the issue was, he's supposed to be a solid blocker, he's not, and as a TE he should be able to catch the occasional pass and he drops balls, he's like the TE version of Jaimes, both should be shown the door, other undrafted players have outperformed them the last two years and last year they kept them both anyway because of what? draft position? that's two roster spots dedicated to two guys that have shown nothing BUT "we can't cut them because we drafted them" Charger nonsense...both Smart and Kampfmoyer are worth keeping on the roster over McKitty...and Jaimes has been also surpassed by both Clapp and Bailey...both Jaimes and McKitty are 3rd string with no hope of moving up...

[jubei]

I just don’t get keeping guys like Kelley at this point. McKitty either, just move the fuck on.

IMO McKitty has to go. I havent seen him this PS yet but it looked like he got worse last year. and he doesnt catch. what good is a TE if he cant catch or block?

[richpjr]

I just don’t get keeping guys like Kelley at this point. McKitty either, just move the fuck on.

Kelley has improved greatly as a pass protector, seems over his fumbling issues and averaged 4.2 yards per carry and 7.2 yards per reception last year (more than Ekeler's 6.7 yard average). Nice to have decent depth.

[sonorajim]

Kelley has improved greatly as a pass protector, seems over his fumbling issues and averaged 4.2 yards per carry and 7.2 yards per reception last year (more than Ekeler's 6.7 yard average). Nice to have decent depth.

Agreed. Kelley is a decent #2. Spiller may be better but has yet to establish consistency.

[eaterfan]

Let's clarify this: Teams don't value RB's who are near or more than 30 years old who demand bank bucks...what some teams DO value is finding a cheap RB who is talented...and THAT is EXACTLY what Dot is...

DOT INNOVATORS OF THE WORLD, UNITE!

James Robinson (25 years old) just signed a contract for $1,010,000 this year. He's rushed for over 1,000 yards before and averaged over 4.2 YPC for his career on terrible Jacksonville teams. The NFL minimum salary is $750,000, so for basically $250k more you could have a proven back. Why waste your precious PS roster spots on guys who IF they pan out will save you $250k - $9.75 million (franchise tag value) when you could use them on more premium positions? Let's even compare a less than premium position like DT. Morgan Fox is a good equivalent to James Robinson, proven, solid player, but not elite. He got 2 years, $7.25 million or $3.625 per year. If Dotson becomes a player as good as James Robinson, I think people here would be ecstatic. That saves us $260k against the cap each year. If Okoye becomes as good as Fox (I know they are different styles) Chargers save $2.9 million against the cap each year. Now let's look at an even better case scenario and each of them become a top 5 player at their position and are paid as such. With Dotson you are saving $9 million against the cap. With Okoye you are saving $18.2 million against the cap. I'm sure there are higher odds that Dotson becomes a solid contributor than Okoye, but basically those odds have to be twice as good to make it worth the roster spot when it even just comes to a DT, forget WR, CB, OT, or edge rusher. Those odds get even higher when you get to those premium positions. I'm just using Dotson and Okoye as examples. I'm sure every team has guys they want to develop who had a good camp, but GMs are going to look at their rosters and say, "we have this long athletic edge who just needs more time and he can be a star" or "This small school corner just needs a year of seasoning" and it's really hard to justify using that developmental spot on a position that won't pay off if you hit.

[Topcat]

I just don’t get keeping guys like Kelley at this point. McKitty either, just move the fuck on.

Kelley has improved to at least #3 in the RB committee...worth keeping for now...Spiller has good upside...if Ekkie moves on, then looks like the committee will be Spiller - Dot - Kelley...

[Boltjolt]

Kelley has improved to at least #3 in the RB committee...worth keeping for now...Spiller has good upside...if Ekkie moves on, then looks like the committee will be Spiller - Dot - Kelley...

They may not even resign Kelly after this season.
I think I'd pass and draft another one but we'll see how he does this season.

[ChargerBooster]

Based on what I’ve seen in the televised preseason games, and letting you know that I have been a B-I-G Spiller fan from the get-go, I would hope they keep Dotson and see if Spiller could clear and get through to the Practice Squad. I think Dotson is the guy who can get yards and make plays in the pro game. Pains me to write this, and sizing up Spiller and projecting what he very well may be after more time in the weight room and maturing. Still I don’t think you can let Dotson be anything but on the roster.

Note from ChargerBooster: Since I haven’t been posting on this, or any other Charger boards since San Diego days, many, if all of you may have to disregard much of this, but I think if we do otherwise and don’t go against what has been the “conventional wisdom” and belief that we would regret it. Again Dotson, to me, is the better pro prospect .

[Fouts2herbert]

Based on what I’ve seen in the televised preseason games, and letting you know that I have been a B-I-G Spiller fan from the get-go, I would hope they keep Dotson and see if Spiller could clear and get through to the Practice Squad. I think Dotson is the guy who can get yards and make plays in the pro game. Pains me to write this, and sizing up Spiller and projecting what he very well may be after more time in the weight room and maturing. Still I don’t think you can let Dotson be anything but on the roster.

Note from ChargerBooster: Since I haven’t been posting on this, or any other Charger boards since San Diego days, many, if all of you may have to disregard much of this, but I think if we do otherwise and don’t go against what has been the “conventional wisdom” and belief that we would regret it. Again Dotson, to me, is the better pro prospect .

hypothetical here, Spiller and Dotson are our only RBS on the roster entering the 2024 offseason, after testing the market for a few days Kelley decides to sign a vet minimum deal with chargers for the 2024 season...Who would be your favorite to become the starter in 2024? IMO both Spiller and Kelley are both solid complimentary backs, but the only one that I feel has the ability to fill Ekeler's shoes is Dotson...

One thing is really clear though, the biggest improvement to our running game has been the hiring of Kellen Moore, all of a sudden our O-line can run block and our backs went from looking like busts to legit players, hmmmm...interesting....

[Riverwalk]

Dotson is a keeper. He has the fastest initial burst then any of our other RB’s including Ekeler.

[Topcat]

Dotson is a keeper. He has the fastest initial burst then any of our other RB’s including Ekeler.

Yep...Dot showed again he can run inside with very good burst and vision...I wonder why the Bolts didn't let him run outside like vs. the Rams...

[Boltnut]

Yep...Dot showed again he can run inside with very good burst and vision...I wonder why the Bolts didn't let him run outside like vs. the Rams...

I think the Chargers are trying to sort out the 53-man roster... with final evaluation @IOL. Do they roll with 3 IOL or 4 IOL...? With last night's game, I think they roll with 4 IOL (Zion, Salyer, McFadden, and Bailey).