We passed along when The Athletic's Daniel Popper had Chargers rookie RB Kimani Vidal in danger of missing the regular-season roster. Well, Popper has adjusted his projection now, moving him ahead of Isaiah Spiller and onto the final roster. The change comes after Vidal ran for 49 yards on 11 carries in his first preseason action (the team's second exhibition).
Popper: "I left Vidal off my 53-man roster projection after Week 1 of the preseason. My grade at that stage was 'incomplete.' He had missed a week of practice, including the joint session with the Rams, before not playing in the preseason opener against the Seattle Seahawks. You have to earn your spot in the NFL, and that will especially be the case under Harbaugh. Vidal had a strong week of practice last week. He followed that up with a solid performance in his first game action. I have moved him ahead of Isaiah Spiller and onto the 53-man in my running projection."
HC Jim Harbaugh after the game: "His vision. He was running low, getting his pads down. Showing some elusiveness. Being able to push the pile. We were getting some movement up front. Thought that was improved as well."
This obviously remains an evolving situation. The surprise of the previous Popper projection was that he believed the just-drafted rookie might be in danger of missing the roster in his first season.
We'll see where things go from here. But unless Vidal looks terrible through the rest of August, I'll be surprised if he doesn't make the team.
The bigger question will be how Vidal fits into the regular-season depth chart. Of course, much of his allure since getting drafted is this team's backfield collection.
As long as Vidal makes the roster and the Chargers don't add any RBs, hitting the season with just Gus Edwards and a surgically repaired J.K. Dobbins between him and playing time would be a good position.
Nothing changes on the dynasty front unless Vidal fails to make the roster ... or hits the regular season higher on the depth chart than expected.
Isaiah Spiller already spent two years proving he's not the answer. You shouldn't be considering him for any formats.
Jaret Patterson likely stands as Vidal's primary competition for initial roles. We'll see whether the fourth-year veteran can emerge ahead of the rookie.
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