Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
Austin Ekeler will be one of the most fascinating fantasy running backs in 2020, but what is his value in dynasty leagues heading into this season?
With Melvin Gordon going to the division rival Denver Broncos in free agency, this opens up a world of new opportunities for Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler. Though the Chargers have Justin Jackson already on the roster and drafted Joshua Kelley out of UCLA, it is Ekeler who is expected to be the bell-cow back in Anthony Lynn‘s offense. Is he up for it?
The Fantasy Footballers look at not only Ekeler’s fantasy viability for 2020, but his dynasty value in the coming years. How good will Ekeler be for the Chargers this fall? Will he help your fantasy team this upcoming season? What about future years down the line? Let’s find out now.
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Ekeler is a fringe RB1 in most fantasy leagues. While Jason Moore is skeptical about Ekeler asserting himself to RB1 status, his colleagues Andy Holloway and Mike Wright believe he can be that for the Chargers. They think new starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor will use Ekeler in the passing game like he did with LeSean McCoy when they were together with the Buffalo Bills.
Moore thinks the Chargers changing their offense with the departure of Philip Rivers signifies they don’t believe in Ekeler long-term, but is it enough so take the fourth-best rookie running back entering dynasty leagues over him? Holloway and Wright don’t think so. Is Ekeler worth giving up the RB103 pick in dynasty? Maybe, but you have to take him over the RB104 pick, right?
The big key here is we have a firm understanding that Ekeler will be the starting running back on one of 32 NFL franchises. Though Jackson or Kelley may pop, we’ve already seen what Ekeler can do in Lynn’s Chargers offense and we like it. How he fits with Taylor and possibly No. 6 overall pick Justin Herbert will decide his future dynasty viability with the Bolts.
Ultimately, you’re looking at a fringe RB1 in Ekeler this fall, which is about what you can expect out of the third or fourth rookie running back taken in fantasy. Though guys like D’Andre Swift, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jonathan Taylor may have big opportunities, it’s hard to see J.K. Dobbins getting more carries than Mark Ingram Jr. as the fourth rookie running back off the fantasy board.