Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins is positioned for a productive season under new offensive coordinator Greg Roman, according to ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky. Following a series of injury-plagued years with the Baltimore Ravens, Dobbins signed a one-year contract with the Chargers in April 2024 to reunite with Roman, who previously served as Baltimore’s offensive coordinator when the running back entered the league.
Greg Roman’s Scheme and J.K. Dobbins’s Fit
According to Dan Orlovsky on ESPN’s NFL Live, the pairing of Greg Roman’s run-heavy offensive scheme with J.K. Dobbins creates an ideal environment for a statistical breakout. Roman’s offenses historically rely heavily on gap-scheme running attacks and physical line play, a system that maximizes Dobbins’s North-and-South running style. During his 2020 rookie season under Roman in Baltimore, Dobbins rushed for 805 yards and nine touchdowns on 134 carries, averaging a potent 6.0 yards per attempt.
“I think J.K. Dobbins is going to have a monster year,” Orlovsky stated during the broadcast, pointing to the familiarity with the scheme and the Chargers’ organizational commitment to establishing a physical running game.
Chargers Backfield Dynamics and Roster Context
The Los Angeles backfield underwent significant reconstruction during the 2024 offseason under head coach Jim Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz. After letting Austin Ekeler depart in free agency, the franchise added both Dobbins and veteran Gus Edwards—another former Raven familiar with Roman’s system—to anchor the rushing attack. While Edwards profiles as a primary early-down and short-yardage thumper, Dobbins brings explosive open-field speed when healthy.
Durability remains the primary question mark for the former Ohio State standout. Dobbins suffered an ACL tear in the 2021 preseason, missed significant time in 2022 due to knee complications, and suffered a torn Achilles tendon in Week 1 of the 2023 season against the Houston Texans. Despite those setbacks, Los Angeles training camp reports highlighted Dobbins’s burst and his seamless integration into the playbook.
What Lies Ahead for the Chargers Offense
The Chargers open their 2024 regular-season schedule against the Las Vegas Raiders on September 8 at SoFi Stadium. Harbaugh and Roman have explicitly stated their intention to build a physical, run-first identity to protect quarterback Justin Herbert and wear down opposing defenses. If Dobbins can maintain his health through the grueling 17-game slate, the volume and scheme familiarity in Los Angeles give him a clear runway to exceed expectations.
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