RADIO
Joshua Kelley 2023 Player Outlook: Strictly A Handcuff For Austin Ekeler
1 year agoIn his first two seasons in the NFL, Los Angeles Chargers running back Joshua Kelley didn't have much of a role, combining for 144 carries for 456 yards (3.2 yards per attempt) and just two rushing touchdowns in 24 games (zero starts). He added 28 receptions on 29 targets for 186 yards. The 25-year-old was much more efficient in his third year in 2022, finishing with 69 carries for 287 yards (4.2 yards per attempt) and two TDs while catching 14 of his 25 targets for 101 additional yards in 13 games (one start). He was second behind only Austin Ekeler in touches, yards and TDs among Chargers RBs. And he did it despite missing four games with a sprained MCL. The former fourth-rounder out of UCLA will have to hold off second-year back Isaiah Spiller in a new offensive scheme under Kellen Moore, but if he does, he should once again be Ekeler's primary backup for the Bolts. Kelley won't have standalone fantasy appeal in that role, but he'd become a plug-and-play option right away in the event Ekeler misses any time due to injury.
