Elijah Dotson has carved out a resilient path in the NFL, transitioning from an undrafted free agent to a playmaking running back fighting for his spot on the 53-man roster.
While his journey has involved multiple roster moves between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Atlanta Falcons, his bursts of speed and preseason flashes have kept him on the radar of NFL scouts.
In this article, you will know Elijah Dotson’s net worth, career earnings, career overview, stats, relationship status, and more.
Elijah Dotson’s Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Elijah Dotson |
| Date of Birth | January 19, 1999 |
| Age | 26 |
| Education | Sacramento State, Northern Colorado |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) |
| Weight | 202 lbs (92 kg) |
| Turned Pro | 2023 (Undrafted Free Agent) |
| Net Worth | Approx. $350,000 – $500,000 |
| Career Earnings | ~$671,167 (Estimated) |
| Position | Running Back |
| Instagram Profile | @elijahdotson |
| Twitter Profile | @e_dotson |
Early Career
Elijah Dotson’s football journey began in Sacramento, California, where he first showcased his athletic potential. He played Pop Warner football for the Jr. Foothill Mustangs before attending Antelope High School.
At Antelope, he developed into a versatile offensive weapon, laying the groundwork for a successful collegiate career.
His college career was split between two programs, highlighting his adaptability. He started at Sacramento State, where he became a standout player.
In 2018, he rushed for over 1,100 yards and scored nine touchdowns, proving his dominance in the Big Sky Conference.
After the 2020 season was canceled due to the pandemic and a shortened 2021 campaign, Dotson transferred to Northern Colorado for his final year.
There, he continued to produce, rushing for 929 yards and six touchdowns in 2022, which caught the attention of NFL scouts despite him going undrafted.
Professional Career
Dotson entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent, signing with the Los Angeles Chargers in May 2023.
He immediately turned heads during the preseason, particularly in a game against the Rams where he scored two touchdowns on long runs, displaying the explosive speed that defined his college tape. He made the Chargers’ initial 53-man roster as a rookie, a rare feat for an undrafted player.
During the 2023 season, he appeared in four games, primarily contributing on special teams and limited offensive snaps before being waived and re-signed to the practice squad late in the year.
His journey continued into 2024 and 2025 with a move to the Atlanta Falcons. After signing a reserve/future contract with Atlanta in January 2025, he competed for a roster spot during the offseason.
In the 2025 preseason finale, he was the Falcons’ leading rusher, carrying the ball 12 times for 74 yards. Despite this strong performance, the Falcons waived him during final roster cuts in August 2025 as they finalized their depth chart.
As of late 2025, Dotson remains a free agent talent capable of contributing to a team’s backfield rotation.
Elijah Dotson’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Elijah Dotson’s net worth is estimated to be between $350,000 and $500,000. This figure reflects his earnings from NFL salaries and practice squad checks, minus taxes and living expenses.
Contract
Dotson most recently signed a Reserve/Future contract with the Atlanta Falcons in January 2025.
Standard Reserve/Future deals are typically one-year contracts at the league minimum salary (which was $960,000 for the 2025 season), but they are not guaranteed.
Because he was waived in August 2025 before the regular season began, he did not receive the full value of this contract.
Salary
Dotson’s income has come from a mix of active roster game checks and practice squad weekly payments. In 2023, while on the Chargers’ active roster for part of the season, he earned a prorated portion of the rookie minimum salary.
Practice squad players in 2024 and 2025 earned approximately $12,500 per week, which significantly bolstered his earnings even when he wasn’t on the active 53-man squad.
Career Earnings
| Year | Team | Status | Estimated Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Los Angeles Chargers | Active/Practice Squad | ~$548,667 |
| 2024 | Los Angeles Chargers | Practice Squad/Offseason | ~$62,500 |
| 2025 | Atlanta Falcons | Offseason/Preseason | ~$60,000 |
| Total | ~$671,167 |
Career Stats
| Season | Team | GP | Rush Att | Rush Yds | Avg | TD | Rec | Rec Yds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Sacramento State | 11 | 87 | 475 | 5.5 | 5 | 8 | 139 |
| 2018 | Sacramento State | 10 | 185 | 1,154 | 6.2 | 9 | 14 | 160 |
| 2019 | Sacramento State | 13 | 151 | 742 | 4.9 | 7 | 70 | 702 |
| 2022 | Northern Colorado | 11 | 206 | 929 | 4.5 | 6 | 47 | 329 |
| 2023 | LA Chargers (NFL) | 4 | 4 | 6 | 1.5 | 0 | 2 | 13 |
| 2025 | Atlanta Falcons* | – | 12 | 74 | 6.2 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
FAQs
1. Which college did Elijah Dotson attend before the NFL?
Elijah Dotson attended Sacramento State, where he played for three seasons, before transferring to Northern Colorado for his final collegiate year.
2. What happened to Elijah Dotson in the 2025 season?
After signing a future contract with the Atlanta Falcons in January 2025, he competed in the preseason but was waived by the team on August 23, 2025.
3. Did Elijah Dotson get drafted into the NFL?
He went undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft but signed immediately with the Los Angeles Chargers as a free agent, eventually making their initial 53-man roster.
4. What is Elijah Dotson’s height and weight?
He stands at 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 meters) tall and weighs approximately 202 pounds (92 kilograms), giving him a compact build suitable for the running back position.
5. How much has Elijah Dotson earned in his NFL career?
He is total career earnings are estimated to be around $671,000, accumulated from his time with the Chargers and Falcons.
