LA Chargers: Three players whose jobs are in jeopardy after the 2020 NFL Draft
By Jason Reed
2. Justin Jackson, RB
It was not a secret that the LA Chargers were going to select a running back in the 2020 NFL Draft. Melvin Gordon signed with the Denver Broncos and the Chargers only had two running backs who have produced on the roster in Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson.
The team needed depth and a late-round running back became an obvious pick. However, the Chargers still surprised fans by selecting Joshua Kelley in the fourth round before selecting a receiver.
Ekeler is still going to be the team’s primary running back and while Jackson’s role might not seem to be challenged, we absolutely could see a case where Kelley becomes the primary tandem running back alongside Ekeler with Jackson being the change of pace back.
Two things factor into this. First, Kelley is a workhorse at UCLA and was one of the most successful running backs in college football despite playing in a not-so-great program, at least right now. He has the track record as well as the traits to be the primary ball-carrier behind Ekeler.
The other thing factoring into this is that Jackson really has not done much for the Chargers, at least not as much as Charger fans seem to think. He had that tremendous game in Pittsburgh in 2018 and has been solid when he is on the field, he is not just on the field often.
Jackson only appeared in seven games last season and only carried the ball 29 times. While he undoubtedly will make the roster, his job as the RB2 is absolutely in jeopardy.