RADIO
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues
ROSTERED: 5% of Leagues
ANALYSIS: Austin Ekeler was off to a tremendous start to 2020 in his usual role as a dual-threat running back for the Los Angeles Chargers. So naturally, because it is definitely one of those seasons across the league, he had to exit the Chargers' Week Four contest against Tampa Bay with a hamstring injury that will keep him sidelined for four to six weeks. Los Angeles isn't left without options in the backfield: Joshua Kelley is off to a sterling start of his own in a dual-threat role similar to that of Ekeler's, and rookie QB Justin Herbert has accumulated 47 rushing yards and a touchdown in his own right over three games.
Having said that, Ekeler's absence takes a big chunk out of the Chargers' weekly plan for touch-distribution, and that could mean a wide window of opportunity is opening for the third option in the Charger backfield, Justin Jackson. It is true that, to this point, Jackson's place in the backfield pecking order was little more than an afterthought, as he saw the field for just 15% of the team's offensive snaps in Week One against the Bengals and didn't participate at all in the two games leading up to the matchup with Tom Brady's Buccaneers. However, once Ekeler exited late in the first quarter, LA wasted no time in getting the third-year back involved, putting him in the game for 40% of the team's snaps on offense and taking six carries for (an albeit lackluster) nine yards, while also notching two receptions on two targets, good for 12 yards.
He wouldn't be a Chargers RB if he couldn't operate just as well in the passing game, and while the sample size for his career is limited, the fact that he entered the 2020 season with 406 rushing yards and two TDs on 79 carries in conjunction with 157 receiving yards from 24 catches in 30 targets over 20 games from 2018-2019 paints a promising picture for the production he can offer with an uptick in usage. It's a big week for understudy running backs stepping in for their fallen headliners, and Justin Jackson is receiving the least amount of hype for the group, but he is an excellent option in filling a void in the Charger's offense that he is quite familiar with.
More Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
Gus Edwards - Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks for Fantasy Football Week 1 (2024)
BALLER MOVE: Target Around ~100 Overall CURRENT ADP: ~114 ANALYSIS: The Los Angeles Chargers signed Gus Edwards from the Baltimore Ravens for the 2024 season. While J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards could be in a committee, Dobbins has an alarming injury history, and with such devastating injuries, it's unlikely he ever returns to consistently produce like […]
Gus Edwards (RB, LAC): 2024 Fantasy Football Draft Values
BALLER MOVE: Target Around ~100 Overall CURRENT ADP: ~114 ANALYSIS: The Los Angeles Chargers signed Gus Edwards from the Baltimore Ravens for the 2024 season. While J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards could be in a committee, Dobbins has an alarming injury history, and with such devastating injuries, it's unlikely he ever returns to consistently produce like […]
Logan Thomas - Week 13 Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start in 12+ Team Leagues POSITIONAL VALUE: TE2 ANALYSIS: Logan Thomas test. Ever since arriving in the NFL, Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely has been one of the most appealing handcuffs at the tight end position. While not nearly on the same level as Mark Andrews, Likely has shown that he can […]
Christian McCaffrey - Week 14 Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start in 12+ Team Leagues POSITIONAL VALUE: TE2 ANALYSIS: San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey ripped off a 72-yard run on the first play from scrimmage in a 28-16 victory over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. At the end of the long run, he was tackled at the three-yard line and caught […]
Zay Flowers - Week 14 Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start in 12+ Team Leagues POSITIONAL VALUE: TE2 ANALYSIS: Zay Flowers test. Ever since arriving in the NFL, Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely has been one of the most appealing handcuffs at the tight end position. While not nearly on the same level as Mark Andrews, Likely has shown that he can […]
Download Our Free Waiver Wire App
Like what you see? You can download our free fantasy football mobile app for iPhone and Android which includes more waiver wire recommendations at every position, 24x7 player news, notifications, injury alerts & daily articles.
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!
Win Big With RotoBaller
Be sure to also check out all of our other daily fantasy football articles and analysis to help you set those winning lineups, including this new RotoBaller YouTube video:Check out RotoBaller's famous fantasy football draft sleepers and waiver wire pickups list, updated regularly!
