Gus Edwards Week 1 Outlook - Raiders at Chargers

By Derek Brown (FantasyPros), Wed, Sep 4th 2024, 8:38pm EDT

Edwards enters the 2024 season as the favorite for work in this Bolts' backfield, but he isn't a tough player to hop in the pecking order if J.K. Dobbins can prove he is back or Kimani Vidal outplays both of them. Last season, Edwards was the RB32 in fantasy, with the strength of 13 total touchdowns (fourth-most). Edwards is an early down grinder who only managed a 2.8% target share last season, so all of his value will have to come via rushing. Among 49 qualifying backs, Edwards ranked 25th in explosive run rate, 31st in missed tackles forced per attempt, and 32nd in yards after contact per attempt. The Raiders tightened up as a run defense after Antonio Pierce became the head coach last year, allowing the eighth-fewest rushing yards per game and the third-lowest explosive run rate and yards after contact per attempt. Edwards is a touchdown-dependent flex.