Austin Ekeler

Ekeler dominated as the lead back early on last season but so much of it was touchdown dependent, then his rushing efficiency suffered dearly. There is a chance he can be a three-down back, but more likely, Justin Jackson will fill the early-down Melvin Gordon role with Ekeler remaining a sturdy fantasy football RB2.

Austin Ekeler to be part of a running-back-by-committee offense in LA?

With Melvin Gordon now in Denver, Chargers RB Austin Ekeler sits atop the depth chart in Los Angeles, but head coach Anthony Lynn remains adamant that Justin Jackson and Joshua Kelley will share the load in the backfield.

Fantasy Impact

Coach Lynn doesn’t want to lose the versatility and flexibility Ekeler brings to the Chargers offense, and thus has said he will be the starter entrenched in a RBBC in Los Angeles. While this may sound like a fantasy downgrade for Ekeler, we’re not particularly worried. Even with the presence of Gordon last season, Ekeler still managed to finish as the fourth-highest scoring RB in PPR leagues. He might not be an every down back, but he’ll be lined up all over the field, and should see a production similar to what he saw last season. He’s currently ranked #14 in FantasyPros consensus RB rankings, but he could easily finish as an RB1 in PPR leagues this year. Draft Ekeler with confidence.