X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Justin Jackson (RB, LAC) - 2019 Fantasy Football Sleeper

justin jackson fantasy football rankings NFL DFS lineup picks

Los Angeles Chargers running back Justin Jackson may be a fantasy football sleeper and draft value if Melvin Gordon continues to hold out. Matt Terelle analyzes Jackson's value as an RB iin what could be an increased role in 2019.

As the beginning of the NFL season draws near, there are still some unresolved playing time situations around the league. One of those can be found in the backfield of the Los Angeles Chargers.

As everyone knows by now, star running back Melvin Gordon has held out the entire preseason in hopes of securing a new, long-term contract before his current contract expires at the end of the 2019 season. Many fantasy owners still remember what happened with Le'Veon Bell in Pittsburgh last season. Now, Gordon doesn't have nearly as much leverage as Bell did because Gordon is still under contract while Bell was a restricted free agent. Either way, unsettling playing time situations can be a thorn in the sides of fantasy owners but they can also open up value for other players.

If Melvin Gordon ends up missing regular-season games, the Chargers' depth chart has Austin Ekeler, Justin Jackson, Detrez Newsome, Troymaine Pope, and Jeremy Cox listed as the top five players. The expectation will be that Ekeler will operate as the team's lead back but Jackson will mix in, as well, making him an interesting sleeper this season.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Jackson's Sleeper Appeal

At 193 pounds, Jackson is not big enough to operate as an every-down running back in the NFL. That being said, neither is the 199-pound Ekeler. That should assure that the Chargers lean on both runners in their backfield this season. While Ekeler is expected to see the majority of the work, this could end up being a 60-40 split with some beat reporters like ESPN's Eric Williams even predicting it could be closer to 50-50. According to Player Profiler, Jackson posted an excellent 12.8% target share in college, good for an 87th percentile score. Despite seeing just a 30% snap share in eight games in Los Angeles last season, Jackson finished with 19 targets. He is a proven asset in the passing game who could wind up being a valuable PPR flex play if Gordon sits out.

Being a pass-catching running back as a member of the Chargers in the Philip Rivers era has historically been a productive spot, going back to the Darren Sproles and Danny Woodhead years. In 2018, the Chargers and Rivers directed 138 targets to their running backs, sixth-highest in the league. Of those 138 targets, Gordon drew 66 in just 12 games played. All of this goes to say that the third-down running back role in Los Angeles can be a valuable asset in fantasy. According to 12-team, PPR league drafts on Fantasy Football Calculator, Jackson's ADP is currently 117.7, meaning he can usually be drafted at the end of the 10th round.

Jackson did flash that he can play in the NFL last season. Despite limited opportunities across eight games, he posted three games with at least 57 rushing yards during Gordon's late-season absence. Jackson reached at least 11.6 PPR points in three of those four games while also turning in a 5.5-point dud against the Bengals in Week 14. While he didn't wind up winning leagues for anyone, his fantasy finishes during the playoffs made him a useful flex option in lineups.

Whether Melvin Gordon shows up or not, the Chargers offense can again be counted on to finish as one of the better offenses in the NFL. While Jackson will never be used as a strict bell-cow running back, he has excellent pass-catching skills in a Chargers offense that loves to throw to running backs. While Jackson is unlikely to be a league-winner again this season, he has plenty of upside for fantasy owners who are looking to bolster their running back corps in the later rounds. Even if he only provides value over the first half of the season before Gordon returns, stacking wins for your fantasy team in the early-going improves your chances of making the playoffs exponentially.

Of course, all of this could change if Gordon decides to end his holdout and report to the team. If/when that happens, Ekeler would slide into Jackson's predicted third-down role while Jackson would be left as the third-string running back and nothing more than injury insurance should something happen to either of the two aforementioned backs.

More ADP Values and Sleepers


Check out RotoBaller's famous fantasy football draft sleepers and waiver wire pickups list, updated regularly!




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Kyle Tucker

Leaves With Calf Tightness on Tuesday
Alexandre Sarr

to Miss Rest of EuroBasket
Max Scherzer

Blue Jays Confident Max Scherzer Will Make Sunday Start Despite Back Tightness
Roman Anthony

Leaves Early With Back Injury
Jared McCain

"On Pace" for Training Camp
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

Done for the Year With Torn ACL
Luke Hughes

Devils Optimistic About Signing Luke Hughes
Martin Fehérváry

Martin Fehervary on Track to Be Ready for Training Camp
Dylan Holloway

Good to Go for Start of Season
Nick Kurtz

Back in Action on Tuesday
Josh Morrissey

Fully Healthy for Start of Season
Dennis Hildeby

Signs Three-Year Extension With Maple Leafs
Nick Lodolo

Scratched With Illness
Dalton Kincaid

Role Not Expected to Grow?
Quinshon Judkins

Zero Chance Quinshon Judkins Plays Against Bengals?
Najee Harris

Says He's Expecting to Play Against Chiefs
Adolis García

Adolis Garcia Departs Monday with Quad Injury
Franz Wagner

Collects Double-Double in Blowout Win
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Achieves Rare Numbers at EuroBasket
Nikola Vučević

Nikola Vucevic Dominates Against Sweden
Stefon Diggs

Expected to Suit Up in Week 1
Kristaps Porzingis

Finding Form at EuroBasket
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Suffers Minor Injury at EuroBasket
DJ Moore

Bears Experimenting with DJ Moore in Backfield
Rome Odunze

Could Move All Around the Offense
Carolina Panthers

Dave Canales Comfortable With Panthers' Young Receivers
Quinshon Judkins

Not Considering NCAA Return
Dallas Goedert

Healthy for Week 1
Marvin Mims Jr.

Returns to Practice Monday
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

Carted Off Monday With Knee Injury
Jason Adam

Diagnosed With Ruptured Left Quadriceps Tendon
Victor Wembanyama

Looking "Quite Stellar"
Fernando Tatis Jr.

Scratched on Monday
Matthew Stafford

Expected to Start in Week 1
Edward Cabrera

Heading to Injured List With Elbow Sprain
Najee Harris

Cleared for Contact, Could Play in Week 1
Denny Hamlin

Ends Eventful Day at Darlington in Seventh Place
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Almost Earns a Top-Five Finish at Darlington
John Hunter Nemechek

has His Best 2025 Performance at Darlington
Ryan Blaney

Has An Underwhelming Performance At Darlington
Josh Berry

Crashes Early and Suffers A Playoff Setback at Darlington
Harry Ford

Called Up for Major-League Debut
Victor Scott II

Activated From Injured List
Fernando Tatis Jr.

Dealing With Hamstring Tightness, Expects to Play Monday
Giannis Antetokounmpo

"Staying in Milwaukee"
Thanasis Antetokounmpo

Agrees to a One-Year Contract with Milwaukee
Kyrie Irving

"Healing Up Great"
Dante Exum

Mavs Agree on a One-Year Deal
Jaylen Warren

Agrees to Two-Year Extension With Steelers
De'Von Achane

Practicing Monday, on Track to Play in Week 1
Quinshon Judkins

Could Report to Browns This Week
Kansas City Chiefs

Chiefs, Trent McDuffie Not Expected to Finalize Extension
Chase Elliott

Under Playoff Pressure After 17th-Place Darlington Finish
Kyle Larson

Despite Hendrick Mediocrity, Kyle Larson Remains Pretty Safe in Playoffs
Alex Bowman

Opening-Lap Crash and Botched Pit Stop May Have Sunk Alex Bowman's Playoff Hopes
Erik Jones

Darlington Master Erik Jones Comes Up Short but Still Finishes Third
AJ Allmendinger

A.J. Allmendinger Impresses at Southern 500
Dameon Pierce

Ahead of Schedule, Ready for Season
Jordan Love

May Wear Thumb Brace During Season
Chicago Bears

Bears Head Coach Admits Offense Could Face Learning Curve
Matt Chapman

Leaves Early on Sunday, Expects to Play Monday
A.J. Brown

Says He'll Be Active For Season Opener
Luis Garcia

to Make Season Debut on Monday
Max Scherzer

Exits Due to Back Tightness
Taylor Ward

Exits Early After Collison
Braelon Allen

Says He Has a Lot Left to Prove
Sal Stewart

Reds Promoting Sal Stewart to Majors
Daniel Suarez

is A DFS Risk for Darlington Lineups?
Randy Rodríguez

Randy Rodriguez to Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Noah Gragson

Should Fantasy Managers Roster Noah Gragson for Darlington?
Ty Dillon

is an Excellent Punt Option for Darlington DFS Lineups
Bogdan Bogdanović

Bogdan Bogdanovic to Miss the Rest of EuroBasket
Denny Hamlin

Picking Up Where He Left Off At Darlington
Kyle Larson

The Sky Is The Limit for Kyle Larson at Darlington
Ryan Blaney

a Strong DFS Play at Darlington This Weekend
Tyler Reddick

Shouldn't Be Overlooked at Darlington This Weekend
Alex Bowman

An Easy Place-Differential Play in DFS This Weekend
Ty Gibbs

Could Be Strong at Darlington This Weekend
Erik Jones

Has Best Darlington Qualifying Effort Since Last Win
Zane Smith

Hopeful For Another Solid Run At Darlington
Aroldis Chapman

Agrees to Contract Extension
Dallas Mavericks

Olivier-Maxence Prosper Waived by the Mavs
Lauri Markkanen

Dominant in Win Over Great Britain
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Leads Serbia to a Win
Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokic Shines Versus Portugal
Jose Alvarado

"Good" After Recent Fall
Lauri Markkanen

Torches Sweden
Neemias Queta

Dominates in EuroBasket Opener
Kawhi Leonard

Clippers Not Allowing Kawhi Leonard to Play Back-to-Backs

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP