BALLER MOVE: Risky Start in 12+ Team Leagues
POSITIONAL VALUE: RB3
ANALYSIS: Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler rushed the ball just five times for nine yards and caught four of his six targets for 29 yards through the receiving game in the Week 15 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. Ekeler continues to struggle, now reaching single-digit fantasy performances in four of the last five weeks. This leaves fantasy managers concerned about whether or not Ekeler should be in fantasy lineups. Let's dive in.
There has been no surprise that the Chargers have shockingly been horrible this season and it doesn't help when your franchise quarterback Justin Herbert gets placed on IR with a fractured right index finger. This ultimately ended any rhythm that this offense maybe could have found in the back end of the season. The bonus feature that Ekeler always had equipped was his ability to shine in both the rushing and the receiving game. However, both areas of play have been on a decline, especially his rushing attempts. Ekeler has seen more than 15 carries just three times this year and he has just 141 carries this season, which is 33rd in the NFL.
In Week 16, the Chargers will have a home game against the Buffalo Bills. The Bills currently rank 16th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed and 10th in rushing touchdowns allowed this season. This ultimately doesn't give Ekeler the most friendly matchup but should be enough for him to grab solid work in the receiving game.
Fantasy managers shouldn't feel confident about starting Ekeler, especially without quarterback Justin Herbert. Ekeler seems to have lost his spectacular rushing ability and is really only used in the receiving game now. The running back can be viewed as a RB3 this week and can be played as a Flex at the very best in Week 16.
Austin Ekeler is listed as the RB26 in our Half-PPR rankings.
More Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks
Kadarius Toney Start 'Em, Sit 'Em – Super Bowl 58 Fantasy Football Picks
BALLER MOVE: Consider in Large-Field GPPs POSITIONAL VALUE: WR/Flex DFS Dart Throw ANALYSIS: Kadarius Toney is perhaps the biggest wild card of the Super Bowl LVIII matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers. The mercurial wide receiver has battled injury issues and controversy off the field, as well as drops and ineffectiveness... Read More
Stefon Diggs Start 'Em, Sit 'Em – NFL Playoffs Fantasy Football Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start in 10+ Team Leagues POSITIONAL VALUE: WR1 ANALYSIS: Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs was the WR10 during the regular season, averaging 13 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. The superstar wide receiver started the year on fire but tailed off towards the end. He scored fewer than 6.9 fantasy points in... Read More
Jayden Reed Start 'Em, Sit 'Em – NFL Playoffs Fantasy Football Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start in 10+ Team Leagues POSITIONAL VALUE: WR2 ANALYSIS: Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed had low expectations entering the season. Many thought the Packers’ passing attack would suffer without Aaron Rodgers. Instead, the rookie wide receiver was a fantasy star. Reed was the WR23 during the regular season, averaging 11.6 half-point... Read More
Chris Godwin Start 'Em, Sit 'Em – NFL Playoffs Fantasy Football Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start in 10+ Team Leagues POSITIONAL VALUE: WR2 ANALYSIS: Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin had a slightly disappointing year. The former Penn State star was the WR31, averaging 9.9. half-point PPR fantasy points per game during the regular season. Mike Evans had a massive year as Baker Mayfield’s go-to target, leaving... Read More
Brandin Cooks Start 'Em, Sit 'Em – NFL Playoffs Fantasy Football Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start in 10+ Team Leagues POSITIONAL VALUE: Low-end WR2 ANALYSIS: Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks had a solid regular season. The veteran was the WR36, averaging 9.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. While he struggled early in the year, Cooks picked up his play when it mattered most for the Cowboys.... Read More
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!Win More With RotoBaller
Be sure to also check out all of our other daily fantasy football articles and analysis to help you set those winning lineups, including this new RotoBaller YouTube video:Check out RotoBaller's famous fantasy football draft sleepers and waiver wire pickups list, updated regularly!