Chargers News: LA's Star RB Predicted to be 2023 Fantasy Football Bust

Quite the 180 from last season!

Austin Ekeler was one of the best players to have on your fantasy team in 2022 as he put forth one of his most productive seasons yet. This was one of his biggest arguing points over these past couple of months when he tried to get the Chargers' front office to make him one of the highest paid RB's in the NFL.

The Bolts were still able to put together a deal for him to return for at least one more year as he will have the chance to make up to $2 million in incentives should he match his past production. In his 2022 campaign, he was able to rush for 915 yards, scored 13 touchdowns, and recorded 107 receptions (highest in the league among RB'S).

Pro Football Network had Ekeler as the number one RB as well in terms of fantasy as he averaged 21.9 fantasy points per game. However, it is looking quite different heading into the 2023 season.

2023 RB leaders in FPwoT vs .5PPR finish:

1. Josh Jacobs (2)
2. Christian McCaffrey (3)
3. Austin Ekeler (1)
4. Saquon Barkley (5)
5. Derrick Henry (4)
6. Nick Chubb (6)
7. Aaron Jones (9)
8. Rhamondre Stevenson (10)
9. Dalvin Cook (8)
10. Tony Pollard (7)#FantasyFootball #NFL pic.twitter.com/hW7j45KPrL

— NerdBall Fantasy Football (@nerdballff) May 26, 2023

PFF has completely flipped the script on LA's star RB due to the new situation he finds himself in. The Chargers have surrounded Justin Herbert with a ton of new options and it's likely that Ekeler will not be able to get the same opportunities that he once did.

"To me, Austin Ekeler seems like a clear-as-day bust candidate. Yes, the preseason

RB2

is playing for a long-term contract. But let’s not overstate the significance of this motivation. While Ekeler is one of the best running backs of this current decade — and while he might be the best undrafted running back in NFL history — he has almost nowhere to go but down."

(Via PFF)

"His broken-tackle rate on rushing attempts plummeted to one per 40.8 carries. His previous career-worst mark was one per 15.8 the year before. And while his yards before contact were a career-high 2.6 per carry, his yards after contact were a career-worst 1.9. Whether because of the physical demands of increased annual workloads or receiver injuries that enabled defenders to stack the box more, or any other realistic factor, the facts are clear: Despite an incredible 2022 fantasy campaign, Ekeler took a step back."

(Via PFF)

Someone call the gainz train 🚂 😳 (via @AustinEkeler) pic.twitter.com/vTDwhhOzfV

— NFL (@NFL) June 1, 2023

We'll have to see how these projections play out.