Week 1 vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Austin Ekeler was a dominant performer in fantasy football a year ago, putting up the finest season of his career on his way to the overall RB2 spot in Half-PPR. Ekeler rushed for 911 yards and scored 12 touchdowns on the ground, adding a further 647 yards on 70 receptions and another eight touchdowns.
The Raiders were quite generous towards fantasy running backs in 2021, allowing 23.7 Half-PPR points per game to the position. Only five teams saw tailbacks take more off them than the boys in silver and black. Look for Ekeler to put up high-end RB1 numbers to start the season.
2022 Fantasy Upside
As 4for4's John Paulsen notes, Austin Ekeler finished as the RB2 last year with the third-highest per game average (half-PPR). For the record, last year was his first season of more than 200 carries (12.87 per game). He saw 50 percent of the Chargers' rushing attempts in 2021, a far smaller share than most starting backs. But it's the passing game where Ekeler excels. Last year he commanded a 16 percent target share in LA's offense. Despite missing one game in 2021, Ekeler posted over 1,500 combo yards, and scored a whopping 20 touchdowns. He also missed some time in 2020, but finished with the 13th-highest per game average.
2022 Fantasy Downside
Ekeler openly advocates for limiting his touches to remain healthy for the entire NFL season. Speaking early this offseason, Ekeler -- an avid fantasy football manager -- said, "You can even go ask my management, like, 'Hey, make sure you limit my touches, like you got to make sure I can get through the entire season.'" And the Chargers have said they want to reduce his workload even further in 2022. With Justin Jackson, Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree III coming up short as complements to Ekeler, incoming rookie Isaiah Spiller could be capable of producing at a level that might limit Ekeler. Nonetheless, you're going to have to expend some high-end draft capital to secure his services.
2022 Bottom Line
Even with the questions about workload and touchdown regression (Ekeler's 12 rushing touchdowns last year were nine more than his previous career high of three), Paulsen points out the Chargers have a top-12 offensive line and Ekeler will continue to see a ton of work as a receiver. Expecting Ekeler to continue being a top producer at the position is a reasonable expectation.
Week 17 vs. Broncos
Austin Ekeler sat out the Chargers' loss to the Texans, missing out on what would have been a smash spot given the damage Justin Jackson did to the Texans on the ground and through the air. Despite missing the week, Ekeler is still the overall RB2 in half-PPR formats in 2021, leading all backs with 558 receiving yards and scoring 17 total touchdowns.
The Broncos' defense has not been a generous one towards fantasy running backs this season, as they rank 8th in aFPA to the position. Ekeler is still a player you should start without hesitation, given his multi-purpose role and nose for the end zone. You don't want to go into Fantasy Championship Week with Ekeler on your bench.
Week 16 vs. Texans
For the 11th time this season, Austin Ekeler rushed for at least 50 yards in a game, taking 59 off the Chiefs defense on 12 rushing attempts. Ekeler also found the end zone on the ground, his 10th rushing touchdown of the season and 17th overall. Ekeler was restricted to a season-low snap share of just 34%, but his 27 snaps saw him handle 16 touches. Ekeler finished Week 16 as the overall RB3 in Half PPR scoring, and only Jonathan Taylor of the Colts has more fantasy points than Ekeler this season among running backs.
Austin Ekeler was placed on the reserve/COVID list on Wednesday, so it's something to monitor. The Texans rank 29th in aFPA to running backs this season. Assuming Ekeler is good to go in Week 16, he's a set-and-forget RB1.
Week 15 vs. Chiefs
Austin Ekeler was able to deliver his usual fantasy output in Week 14, despite not playing the full game due to an injury. Ekeler rushed 12 times for 67 yards and a touchdown while also catching two passes for 17 yards. Ekeler has found the end zone in each of his last five games. He scored 15.4 Half PPR points and remains the overall RB2 in fantasy points.
Ekeler has been limited in practice this week due to his injury, but it is expected that he will be at full go against the Chiefs. It's not a great matchup on paper, as the Chiefs rank seventh in aFPA to the running back spot. But assuming Ekeler sees his normal workload, he is not a player you should consider benching at this stage of the season.
Week 14 vs. Giants
It wasn't a great Week 13 for Austin Ekeler, in real life or fantasy, but he was still productive against the Bengals. Ekeler rushed 14 times for 59 yards and a touchdown, his eighth rushing score of the season. He also caught all five of his targets for another 45 yards. Ekeler also lost two fumbles but was still able to finish as the RB8 on the week, retaining his place as the RB2 overall.
Ekeler should be in for a monster day in Week 14. The Giants are currently ranked 26th in aFPA to the running back position. But with both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams likely to be missing, Ekeler should see plenty more targets in the passing game. He will be, as always, a set and forget RB1 this week.
Week 13 vs. Bengals
Austin Ekeler was not able to replicate his incredible Week 11 showing against the Broncos last week. His 12 carries brought him just 31 rushing yards, his lowest total of the year in games in which he has rushed more than ten times. He saved his fantasy manager's bacon with six receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown, marking his third straight game with a receiving score. Ekeler finished with 18.9 Half PPR fantasy points, good for RB7 on the week. He is the RB3 in points per game overall.
Ekeler's managers should be able to count on another strong outing from him in Week 13. The Bengals rank 24th in aFPA to running backs, giving up 23.5 Half PPR points per game to the opposition backfields. Ekeler is, as always, a set and forget RB1 option.
Week 12 vs. Broncos
Austin Ekeler had himself a day against the Steelers in Week 11. Ekeler rushed 11 times for 50 yards and two scores, his second game this season with two rushing touchdowns. He also caught six passes for 65 yards and another two touchdowns, marking the first time in his career he has scored four times in a game. Ekeler finished the day with 38.5 half PPR points, the second-most points by an RB in Week 11. Ekeler is RB3 in fantasy points per game in 2021.
Ekeler will look to continue his fine form against the Broncos in Week 12. The Broncos have been fairly mediocre opposition for running backs this season, ranking 16th in aFPA to the position. Ekeler looks set for another RB1 week this time out.
Week 11 vs. Steelers
Week 10 was not a banner week for Austin Ekeler or his fantasy managers. His 17 combined opportunities were the second-lowest since Week 4, and while he found the end zone on a receiving touchdown he amassed just 15 receiving yards. He has had fewer yards than this just once all season. Ekeler managed 13.4 fantasy points in Half PPR formats, although he remains the overall RB3 on the season.
He won't have an easy time of it in Week 11 against the Steelers. They rank 3rd in aFPA to the running back spot. They have allowed an average of 125.8 rushing yards to opposing backfields over their last five games, however, including a whopping 227 to the Lions last week. Ekeler should remain in the RB1 conversation this week.
Week 10 vs. Vikings
It was a quiet Week 9 for Austin Ekeler in the Chargers win over the Eagles. He matched a season-high with 17 rush attempts and finished with 59 yards. But he saw just three targets, catching all of them for 23 yards. He was held out of the endzone for just the third time this season, finishing with 9.7 fantasy points in Half PPR Formats. This was his second-lowest total of the season.
The Vikings rank 15th in aFPA to the running back position, so some might worry about Ekeler this week. But they have allowed 108 yards at 4.4 yards per attempt to opposing backfields over their last five games, so given Ekeler's near-monopoly of running back opportunities he should get home this week. Start him without fear.
