4 free agent running backs the Chargers could sign to back up Austin Ekeler

2. Jerick McKinnon

Jerick McKinnon's career has been plagued by injuries and even if he continues to be a productive depth running back in the league he will never live up to his potential. McKinnon missed the entire 2018 and 2019 season and while that might be enough reason to not pursue him, it would not hurt the Bolts to sign him to a one-year deal.

With the two missed seasons the miles on his legs are relatively low compared to other 29-year-old running backs. Plus, we just saw McKinnon join the Kansas City Chiefs and be a really productive player out of the backfield for them in the playoffs.

McKinnon did not do much of anything in the regular season. Despite being with the team all season he only carried the ball 12 times for 62 yards. However, the Chiefs started using him in the offense in the postseason and he started proving that he still has something to offer in the NFL.

In three playoff games, McKinnon carried the ball 34 times for 150 yards while making 14 catches for 165 yards and a touchdown. If you stretch those numbers across a 17-game season, McKinnon would have 850 rushing yards and 935 receiving yards. Of course, he would not have kept up that pace, but that showed both his value as a runner and a pass-catcher.

McKinnon is going to be cheap because of his age but he has proven that he can be productive in what the Chargers aim to do with the running back position.