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Larry Rountree 2021 Outlook: The Opportunity is There, But Can He Take Advantage of It?
3 years agoLarry Rountree was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers on day three of the 2021 NFL Draft. The Missouri bruiser racked up 3,720 rush yards (5.0 yards per carry) and 40 touchdowns as the lead-back for the Tigers. Normally, a rookie running back starting off fourth on a team's depth chart does not have a clear path to meaningful touches. However, Rountree fell into a situation that could allow him to do exactly that. Austin Ekeler is the unquestioned RB1 on the Chargers, but his supporting role is certainly up for grabs. Justin Jackson is the first man up, but he is consistently injured and the Chargers cannot count on him to be healthy if they need him in a pinch. Sophomore back Joshua Kelley slots in right after Jackson, but he drastically underwhelmed with every opportunity he was given last year, and only turned 111 carries into 354 yards (3.2 yards per carry), and was benched in favor of Kalen Ballage and Troymaine Pope. If Rountree impresses in training camp and the preseason, he could be the short-yardage and goal-line back for the Chargers as early as Week 1. He is currently going undrafted as the RB138, well behind his shaky teammates in the backfield. Ekeler managers should snag him with their last pick and he should be on everyone's waiver wire watch list heading into the season.
