Austin Ekeler
  • Austin Ekeler

  • RB
  • , Washington Commanders
  • 29
  • 200 lbs
  • 5' 10"
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Scouting report

by Neil Dutton

LAC RB Austin Ekeler - Week 10 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 10 vs. Detroit Lions

Another week, another dominant performance in fantasy football for Austin Ekeler. Ekeler scored 20 Half-PPR points against the Jets in Week 9, just a tick above his seasonal per-game average of 19.38, on his way to finishing as the RB4 for the week. Ekeler continues to benefit from an elite opportunity share, commanding 54% of the Chargers' rushes and 17% of the targets.

Ekeler's Week 10 matchup does not look appealing on paper. The Lions rank 5th in aFPA to running backs this season, but you just cannot overlook the amount of work that Ekeler gets on a weekly basis. If he's healthy, which thankfully he seems to be at the moment, then he is a set-and-forget RB1 option.

by Neil Dutton

LAC RB Austin Ekeler - Week 9 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 9 at New York Jets

Austin Ekeler looked a lot like his old self in Week 8, as he posted top five fantasy numbers against the Bears. The bulk of Ekeler’s production came through the air, with seven receptions on eight targets bringing forth 94 yards and a first receiving score of the season. He only managed 29 yards on 15 rushing attempts and has yet to eclipse 45 yards on the ground since his return from injury. Ekeler currently ranks as the RB11 in Half-PPR points per game.

Ekeler should remain an elite option in Week 9 against a New York Jets team that is far more generous to tailbacks than passing game operators. The Jets rank 25th in aPFA to running backs in 2023. Assuming Ekeler is healthy, he’s a high-end RB1 in any given week.

by Neil Dutton

LAC RB Austin Ekeler - Week 8 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 8 vs. Chicago Bears

It hasn't really all come together yet for Austin Ekeler since his return from injury. The old magic has yet to truly reappear, although if it is going to come back then this would seem to be the week for it.

The Bears rank 30th in aFPA to running backs in 2023, which makes them a prime team to start your running backs against in fantasy football. It would not come as a surprise to anyone if Ekeler was sitting atop the running back fantasy world when Week 8 is done and dusted.

by Neil Dutton

LAC RB Austin Ekeler - Week 7 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 7 at Kansas City Chiefs

Austin Ekeler was not able to immediately revert to the form his fantasy managers know and love in Week 6, his first action since the opening game of the season. Ekeler managed 62 yards from scrimmage on 14 attempts and four receptions, giving him 8.2 Half-PPR points. Ekeler finished as the RB26 on his return to the field.

He'll look to get back on track against the Chiefs in Week 7, but it will not be easy against this Chiefs defense. They rank fourth in aFPA to running backs this season, and 22nd in receptions allowed to tailbacks, which is where Ekeler really makes his money. It is still safe to project good things for Ekeler, and we should not be afraid to view him as an elite RB1 option this week.

by Neil Dutton

LAC RB Austin Ekeler - Week 6 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 6 vs. Dallas Cowboys

Austin Ekeler hasn't played since Week 1, but he was hot when he was on the field. Ekeler rushed 16 times for 117 yards and a touchdown, adding another 47 yards on four receptions. He finished the game with 24.4 Half-PPR points.

Ekeler is set to return to the Chargers lineup against the Cowboys in Week 6. The Cowboys haven't been the friendliest matchup for running backs so far in 2023, with the team ranking 11th in aFPA to the position. Still, assuming Ekeler sees something approaching his normal workload, he has one of the safest roles to project in all of fantasy sports. He should be viewed as a high, HIGH-end RB1 in Week 6.

by Neil Dutton

LAC RB Austin Ekeler - Week 2 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 2 at Tennessee Titans

Austin Ekeler was a fantasy force to be reckoned with in Week 1. In other breaking news, water is wet. Ekeler rushed 16 times for 117 yards and a touchdown while adding another 47 yards on four receptions. Ekeler managed 24.4 Half PPR points and trailed only Aaron Jones among fantasy RBs in Week 1. Worryingly, he was unable to finish the game due to an ankle injury. At the time of writing, his status for Week 2 is unknown.

If he is able to go and is healthy, then Ekeler remains an elite fantasy option, despite the Titans presenting one of the tougher matchups for fantasy running backs this week. He should be considered a mid-tier RB1, but his status should be watched carefully.

by Neil Dutton

LAC RB Austin Ekeler - Week 1 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 1 vs Miami Dolphins

If only everything in life were as reliable as the fantasy output of Austin Ekeler. Ekeler rushed for a career-high 915 yards in 2022, scoring 13 touchdowns along the way, giving him 25 rushing scores in two seasons. Not content with this, Ekeler also set a new high with 107 receptions, which saw him gain another 722 yards and five additional scores. Ekeler was the RB1 in Half-PPR formats, averaging a whopping 19.5 fantasy points per game.

The Chargers will be looking to pass the ball downfield a bit more under Kellen Moore than they did last season, which will no doubt impact Ekeler from a receptions point of view. But he remains the lead back on this team and is likely to lead the way when it comes to goal-line work. The Dolphins are not a daunting prospect, especially as they ranked 20th in aFPA to running backs a season ago, and Ekeler is as close to an ideal RB1 projection as we are likely to get these days. If he's on your roster, he's in your lineup.

Austin Ekeler news