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LA Chargers: Exciting offensive sleepers to pick in the seventh round

By Jason Reed

CINCINNATI, OH - NOVEMBER 09: Gerrid Doaks #23 of the Cincinnati Bearcats runs the ball during the game against the Connecticut Huskies at Nippert Stadium on November 9, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - NOVEMBER 09: Gerrid Doaks #23 of the Cincinnati Bearcats runs the ball during the game against the Connecticut Huskies at Nippert Stadium on November 9, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) – LA Chargers
(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) – LA Chargers /

2. Gerrid Doaks

The LA Chargers get a multi-faceted running back to add to the committee

Justin Jackson was a solid seventh-round pick for the LA Chargers and I am really excited about the potential of Gerrid Doaks in this offense. I watched film on several running backs in preparation for this article and Doaks stood out the most as someone who could make a difference in the Chargers’ offense.

Running back is not a huge need for the Chargers and picking at the position any earlier than their second sixth-round pick would be too early, in my opinion. The team still has the trio of Austin Ekeler, Justin Jackson and Joshua Kelley, which is enough when healthy.

People do get hurt though and Jackson is a bit injury-prone. Not only that, but Kelley was arguably the worst running back in the entire NFL in his rookie season. The Chargers should add a back via the NFL Draft, they should just do so late.

Doaks is someone who, if all things go right, could have an impact right away. Doaks dealt with injuries and was behind other running backs early in his college career so he did not gain as much steam as he should have as a prospect.

He also was not utilized as much as he should have been at Cincinnati in 2020. However, when he was utilized, he was really solid.

Doaks is a big running back, which is something the Chargers don’t really have. He stands i at six-foot-two, weighs 225 pounds but is surprisingly quick for his size. He does not have great acceleration, but his mobility is good enough and once he gets going he is hard to stop.

Most importantly, he is a really solid pass-blocker, which is huge for the LA Chargers. Cincinnati loved to use him in check and releases. His ability to quickly read the linebackers then explode to the flat or through the offensive line was really exciting to watch on film.

I think right away he could be a very valuable pass-catching back, particularly in two running back formations alongside Austin Ekeler. As he gets more chances to carry the ball, I really like Doaks’ potential to be a solid RB2.

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