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Los Angeles Chargers running back Joshua Kelley just wrapped up his third NFL season.
The former UCLA Bruin has been lightly utilized by the Chargers over his career but he started to establish a role behind starter Austin Ekeler toward the end of the 2022 campaign.
Recent comments from new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore have given fantasy gamers hope for Kelley to have a larger role heading into 2023. Will that come to fruition? Let's dive in and take a look.
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What did Joshua Kelley do in 2022?
Kelley finished his 2022 season with 69 carries for 287 yards and two touchdowns while adding 14 catches for another 101 yards. While none of those numbers were good enough to eclipse the career highs he sets as a rookie in 2020, Kelley was efficient with his touches. His 4.2 yards per carry easily set a season-high mark, shattering his previous best of 3.2 yards per carry.
Kelley has struggled with injuries at times over his three-year career and that was no different in 2022 as he missed four games with a knee sprain.
That being said, Kelley was quite productive in the backup role when he returned from the injury in Week 12. Kelley operated as the Chargers' main breather back over the last eight games of the season, trailing only Ekeler in total carries.
Will Joshua Kelley Have a Larger Role in 2023?
The Cowboys made the decision to part ways with well-respected offensive coordinator and play-caller Kellen Moore shortly after their playoff loss to the 49ers. The Chargers wasted no time hiring Moore to take over in the same capacity in LA.
Moore's introductory press conference was interesting for many reasons, one of which was his plan for utilizing Kelley. Moore mentioned how Kelley "came along" in 2022 and mentioned how he would like to have two or three running backs he can count on while referencing the Ezekiel Elliott/Tony Pollard one-two punch that he enjoyed in Dallas.
Is Joshua Kelley the next Tony Pollard? Chargers OC Kellen Moore hopes to "develop two or three guys in there that can all take turns"https://t.co/Ldj5wq2UAp pic.twitter.com/sGuyyyjXt5
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) February 2, 2023
While it is unlikely that Kelley will outdo what Pollard did in Dallas last season, it bears mentioning that the former was the faster player coming into the NFL, running a 4.49 40-yard dash while Pollard checked in at 4.52.
It is no secret that the Chargers have been looking for a reliable RB2 to take some of the load off of Ekeler's shoulders over the past few years. While Ekeler is an electric talent and one of the top fantasy running backs in the game, he is only 199 pounds and would benefit from fewer between-the-tackles carries on early downs.
Kelley doesn't have to be Pollard to return fantasy value in 2023 as he is tethered to one of the top offenses in the league and will produce solid fantasy numbers if he is able to garner a workload similar to what Pollard got last season.
This is a situation worth monitoring throughout free agency and the NFL draft but if Los Angeles doesn't add anyone noteworthy to the running back room, Kelley will be worthy of a spot on all fantasy rosters next year. He is also on the map as a preemptive dynasty trade target or waiver this offseason.
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