Austin Ekeler or Saquon Barkley
Who Should I Draft?
Experts' Pick | |||
Austin Ekeler RB - LAC  Austin Ekeler RB - LAC | Saquon Barkley RB - NYG  Saquon Barkley RB - NYG |  | |
Expert |
79% Recommended by 59 of 75 experts |
21% Recommended by 16 of 75 experts |
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| Most Accurate Experts | |||
| Top ExpertsTop RB ExpertsTop Player Experts |  See who the Most Accurate Experts would draftUpgrade Now | ||
| Rankings | |||
| ECR | # 4 | # 6 | - |
| Best Rank | # 2 | # 3 | - |
| Worst Rank | # 11 | # 9 | - |
| Fantasy Points | |||
| Season Total | 265.7 | 227.0 | - |
| Avg Game | 15.6 | 14.2 | - |
| Avg Projection | 222.3 | 192.6 | - |
| Schedule | |||
| SOS Rank | 22 | 29 | - |
| Misc | |||
| Injury Alert | ‐ | ‐ | - |
| Expert Ranks | |||
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Austin Ekeler | Saquon Barkley | Add Player |
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06/05 | #3 | #8 | - |
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06/05 | #2 | #3 | - |
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06/05 | #5 | #8 | - |
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06/04 | #4 | #9 | - |
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06/04 | #7 | #6 | - |
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06/04 | #5 | #2 | - |
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06/04 | #3 | #7 | - |
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06/03 | #3 | #7 | - |
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05/31 | #9 | #7 | - |
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06/02 | #10 | #7 | - |
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06/01 | #4 | #8 | - |
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06/01 | #2 | #3 | - |
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06/01 | #3 | #7 | - |
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06/01 | #3 | #8 | - |
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06/01 | #4 | #5 | - |
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06/01 | #4 | #9 | - |
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05/31 | #2 | #3 | - |
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06/03 | #3 | #7 | - |
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05/31 | #3 | #8 | - |
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05/31 | #6 | #8 | - |
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05/31 | #5 | #4 | - |
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06/01 | #3 | #8 | - |
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05/31 | #19 | #8 | - |
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05/31 | #6 | #9 | - |
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05/31 | #3 | #7 | - |
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05/30 | #1 | #8 | - |
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06/04 | #3 | #6 | - |
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05/30 | #5 | #4 | - |
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05/30 | #4 | #8 | - |
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05/29 | #3 | #6 | - |
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05/28 | #3 | #5 | - |
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05/28 | #3 | #9 | - |
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06/01 | #3 | #7 | - |
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05/28 | #9 | #5 | - |
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05/26 | #11 | #8 | - |
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05/25 | #10 | #4 | - |
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05/24 | #3 | #5 | - |
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05/24 | #4 | #8 | - |
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05/22 | #3 | #6 | - |
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05/23 | #3 | #6 | - |
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05/21 | #4 | #9 | - |
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05/19 | #3 | #6 | - |
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05/26 | #3 | #5 | - |
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05/18 | #7 | #9 | - |
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05/22 | #3 | #4 | - |
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05/30 | #7 | #8 | - |
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05/16 | #3 | #6 | - |
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05/15 | #4 | #5 | - |
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05/17 | #4 | #7 | - |
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05/14 | #3 | #4 | - |
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05/12 | #3 | #4 | - |
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05/30 | #3 | #6 | - |
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05/10 | #4 | #3 | - |
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05/09 | #3 | #6 | - |
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05/09 | #3 | #4 | - |
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05/08 | #3 | #4 | - |
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05/10 | #4 | #5 | - |
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05/03 | #4 | #5 | - |
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05/01 | #4 | #5 | - |
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05/01 | #3 | #7 | - |
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05/01 | #3 | #2 | - |
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04/30 | #3 | #2 | - |
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04/30 | #4 | #2 | - |
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04/28 | #3 | #5 | - |
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04/24 | #3 | #2 | - |
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04/23 | #4 | #5 | - |
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05/23 | #4 | #5 | - |
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04/21 | #3 | #4 | - |
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03/05 | #4 | #8 | - |
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03/02 | #6 | #5 | - |
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02/22 | #3 | #4 | - |
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02/09 | #2 | #4 | - |
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02/02 | #3 | #5 | - |
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01/30 | #3 | #6 | - |
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01/19 | #3 | #4 | - |
Austin Ekeler RB - LAC Austin Ekeler RB - LAC | Saquon Barkley RB - NYG Saquon Barkley RB - NYG | |
| 2023 Schedule | ||
| Week 1 | vs. MIA | vs. DAL |
| Week 2 | at TEN | at ARI |
| Week 3 | at MIN | at SF |
| Week 4 | vs. LV | vs. SEA |
| Week 5 | BYE WEEK | at MIA |
| Week 6 | vs. DAL | at BUF |
| Week 7 | at KC | vs. WAS |
| Week 8 | vs. CHI | vs. NYJ |
| Week 9 | at NYJ | at LV |
| Week 10 | vs. DET | at DAL |
| Week 11 | at GB | at WAS |
| Week 12 | vs. BAL | vs. NE |
| Week 13 | at NE | BYE WEEK |
| Week 14 | vs. DEN | vs. GB |
| Week 15 | at LV | at NO |
| Week 16 | vs. BUF | at PHI |
| Week 17 | at DEN | vs. LAR |
| Week 18 | vs. KC | vs. PHI |
Austin Ekeler RB - LAC Austin Ekeler RB - LAC | Saquon Barkley RB - NYG Saquon Barkley RB - NYG | |
| Rushing | ||
| Rush Attempts | 183.9 | 229.4 |
| Rush Yards | 866.6 | 1,060.9 |
| Rush TDs | 9.9 | 6.9 |
| Receiving | ||
| Receptions | 76.5 | 52.4 |
| Rec Yards | 570.0 | 385.9 |
| Rec TDs | 3.7 | 1.5 |
| Points | ||
| Fantasy Points | 222.3 | 192.6 |
Austin Ekeler RB - LAC Austin Ekeler RB - LAC | Saquon Barkley RB - NYG Saquon Barkley RB - NYG | |
| 2022 Points | ||
| Week 1 | 7.2 | 27.4 |
| Week 2 | 9.4 | 8.8 |
| Week 3 | 5.3 | 18.6 |
| Week 4 | 28.9 | 16.2 |
| Week 5 | 31.9 | 16.6 |
| Week 6 | 14.3 | 15.5 |
| Week 7 | 24.7 | 13.5 |
| Week 8 | ‐ | 12.2 |
| Week 9 | 17.1 | ‐ |
| Week 10 | 6.3 | 22.0 |
| Week 11 | 16.0 | 3.5 |
| Week 12 | 14.0 | 11.2 |
| Week 13 | 8.2 | 14.1 |
| Week 14 | 16.4 | 4.8 |
| Week 15 | 13.0 | 18.0 |
| Week 16 | 19.9 | 19.3 |
| Week 17 | 28.1 | 5.3 |
| Week 18 | 5.0 | ‐ |
| Total | 265.7 | 227.0 |
| Average | 15.6 | 14.2 |
Austin Ekeler RB - LAC Austin Ekeler RB - LAC | Saquon Barkley RB - NYG Saquon Barkley RB - NYG | |
| 2022 Targets | ||
| Week 1 | 4 | 7 |
| Week 2 | 10 | 4 |
| Week 3 | 8 | 4 |
| Week 4 | 7 | 2 |
| Week 5 | 4 | 6 |
| Week 6 | 16 | 3 |
| Week 7 | 12 | 4 |
| Week 8 | ‐ | 5 |
| Week 9 | 8 | ‐ |
| Week 10 | 12 | 1 |
| Week 11 | 2 | 5 |
| Week 12 | 15 | 6 |
| Week 13 | 6 | 5 |
| Week 14 | 8 | 2 |
| Week 15 | 3 | 8 |
| Week 16 | 4 | 10 |
| Week 17 | 4 | 4 |
| Week 18 | 4 | ‐ |
Austin Ekeler RB - LAC Austin Ekeler RB - LAC | Saquon Barkley RB - NYG Saquon Barkley RB - NYG | |
| Expert | ||
| Ellis Johnson True North Fantasy Football | Speaking of players who always come through for fantasy, Ekeler is the reigning twp-time RB1. Now that he is entering a contract year with extra performance incentives, I expect the Chargers to use him even more than in the previous two seasons. I am projecting a big year for this entire offense, which only helps Ekeler's touchdown upside and overall production. He is a clear top-five draft pick in my opinion for 2023 (assuming Half PPR). | He's great. From his talent to his athleticism, to even his role on the offense, Barkley has it all. This Giants offense never seems to be the most appealing but I have both their top RB and QB cracking the top 10 at their position. Barkley is as steady as it comes at the position and also has a game-breaking ability that can create a fantasy week-winning upside. Outside of injury, there is no way he won't be an RB-one on this up-and-coming offense. |
| Mark Ringo Sleepers and Busts | (5/23) UPDATE...It appears Austin Ekeler is staying in L.A. The Chargers added some incentives to his contract. For that reason, the risks I mentioned below seem lower. I'm bumping him up the rankings. I've had to adjust my player notes for him one day after writing it. Once again, you've thwarted my evil plans Ekeler. You'll pay Powers, I mean Ekeler. You'll pay for this!! I'll get you for this Ekeler! (possibly in drafts this summer) I'll get you!!! Dr. Evil Ringo (5/22) Full disclosure- the last two years I've faded Austin Ekeler and the last two years I've been burned. Now I know how Dr. Evil feels. Austin Ekeler is the snake to my mongoose. Or the mongoose or my snake? Either way, it's bad. This time it's personal haha! The Chargers can score with anyone. That's good news if you have their starting RB on your team. However, who that starting RB will be is another story. Ekeler is looking for a long-term deal. He's not happy with the way contract talks are going. He's already asked for a trade. It's hard to imagine a better fantasy spot for Ekeler than in L.A. There's more risk here than I'm comfortable with considering his current ADP of RB 2. I wish I knew if Ekeler was going to be traded. Come on Chargers throw me a fricken' bone here! I'm a fantasy football analyst! Need the info! Okay, we'll go to plan B. Let's just do what we always do....draft a bunch of awesome players who aren't asking for trades and dominate. Muah!!! Dr. Evil Ringo | Rumors of Saquon Barkley's demise have been greatly exaggerated- not by Mark Ringo though. I had a hunch he'd rebound and thankfully for both of us, he did. Even a blind squirrel like yours truly finds a nut once in a while haha! In the offseason, the Giants tried to upgrade their offense around him. New additions include: Darren Waller, Jalin Hyatt, Mecole Hardman, Parris Campbell, & John Michael Schmitz. Schmitz should help with the interior blocking. The others bring plenty of speed to space the field. Waller becomes an instant red-zone target. The biggest concern with Saquon is his contract situation. He and the Giants couldn't reach an agreement, so they franchised him. Obviously, Saquon isn't happy about it and is currently holding out for a long-term deal. The million-dollar question is, how long will the holdout be? Is it the I'm not going to training camp, but will play week one type of holdout? Or is it the, I'll sit out all year like LeVeon Bell did to the Steelers' holdout? Unfortunately, there's not anyone who can replicate what Saquon does fantasy-wise if he holds out. My best guess is the Giants would go to a RBBC- maybe rookie Eric Gray or Gary Brightwell get half of the carries and the coveted goal-line work. They could also sign a free agent like Leonard Fournette or Kareem Hunt. Keep an eye on this situation. If Saquon hasn't signed by the day of your draft -you'll have a tough decision to make when you're on the clock. And if that's the case in late August, I'll move him down several spots. |
| Brandon Funston The Athletic | Has been a Top 2 RB in half-PPR scoring each of the past 2 seasons | 16-game season for the first time since his rookie campaign netted Top 6 RB finish, and 2023 could be showcase for potential future employer |
| Wolf of Roto Street Roto Street Journal | 5/7: Chargers add no one new, 3/17: Gains new risk with trade demands. His highest value is undoubtedly right at home, although he is talented enough to sustain RB1 upside nearly anywhere. Just not THE RB1 upside, like he has now. | Back w/ Giants where he thrived -- offense should only keep ascending & increase TD opps with more continuity in 2023 |
| Andrew Erickson FantasyPros | No player has scored more touchdowns over the past two seasons, than Austin Ekeler. The Chargers' red-zone machine scored 18 TDs (5 receiving, 13 rushing) a year after scoring 20 touchdowns in 2021. Simply put, those that faded Ekeler due to TD regression narratives got burned this past season. And the touchdowns were just part of Ekeler's RB1 finish in half-point scoring, as he lead all RBs in receptions and targets, which substantially boosted his fantasy numbers. Ekeler was fully unlocked as a receiver with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams combining for 13 missed games. Until the Chargers WRs can prove they can stand the test of a 17-game season, Ekeler will remain the focal point of LA's offense. Especially if the Chargers fail to make any worthwhile addition in their backfield, because nobody currently on the depth chart is "forcing" their way onto the field. | Saquon Barkley was finally healthy in 2022 and reaped the rewards of playing in a much better offensive environment. He finished as the RB5 overall and in points per game, as he was able to recapture his explosive upside as both a rusher and receiver. Barkley finished second in overall touches (352) and backfield opportunity share (80%) behind only Josh Jacobs through 17 weeks. He also scored 10 rushing TDs with 23 carries inside the 10-yard line. In 2021, Barkley totaled just 13 red-zone touches all season. Let Barkley's return to glory show that you want to target young impending free agent RBs in improved offensive situations that project to earn high volume with proven records of production. |
| Derek Lofland FantasyPros | Ekeler had 881 yards rushing, 686 yards receiving, and 18 total touchdowns in the 2022 fantasy season. He was given permission to seek a trade, so it remains to be seen what his role will be in 2023 and with what team. | Barkley had a great bounce back fantasy season from injuries with 1,312 yards rushing, 338 yards receiving, and 10 TDs. Barkley should be an elite RB1in 2023 in Brian Daboll's offense. |
