🏈 Austin Ekeler Tribute

Good morning everyone. Especially Falcons fans. I don’t know how you watch that team every week, but I salute you. 

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Today, we have a special profile on the hardest worker in the NFL, the fantasy football people’s champ (giveaways all season), and the guy I admire most in the league.

Player Profile: Austin Ekeler

One of the best RBs in the NFL today, Ekeler went undrafted in 2017. Given the draft snub, Ekeler was not sure if he’d even make a team, but gave it his all.

But this challenge was nothing new.

With no interest from D1 schools, Ekeler attended Western Colorado University (D2), planning to major in Natural Resources. When he wasn’t studying, Ekeler set records in career rushing yards, rushing attempts, and rushing TDs (averaging 203.9 all-purpose yards per game).

• Despite 27 RBs being selected in the 2017 NFL draft, Ekeler wasn’t chosen. BIG mistake.

• The San Diego Chargers took a chance, with Ekeler’s role confined mostly to special teams - the scout-team special teams.

His work ethic paid off, with special teams coach George Stewart saying to HC Anthony Lynn:

By the end of camp, everyone knew Austin Ekeler.

During their first official team meeting, HC Lynn took a moment to congratulate the players who made the team. He then singled out Ekeler, asking him to stand up for applause. Lynn shared:

• Rookie: 47 carries (5.5 YPC) behind bell-cow Melvin Gordon

• Sophmore: 106 carries, 39 catches with 958 total yards & 6 TDs (5.2 YPC)

His breakout season came in Year 3, when Melvin Gordon held out due to a contract dispute. In four games sans Gordon, Ekeler had 6 TDs and averaged 122 total yards. There was no reason for the Chargers to cave to Gordon’s demands, especially when Ekeler played his first 3 seasons grinding on the NFL minimum.

After Gordon returned, Ekeler saw 52% of snaps and finished the season with 1150 total yards (993 receiving) with 92 receptions. Most importantly, the Chargers realized they had a star in the making, signing Ekeler to a 4-year. And he kept grinding.

Now 26 years old and in his 5th year, Ekeler is the fantasy RB3. He’s self-aware; stating he’s not a big-bruising type who can absorb insane punishment on a weekly basis. Ekeler knows his efficiency is his main strength and has worked with the coaching staff throughout the past two seasons to find a balance of taking care of his body while maximizing his time on the field.

In fantasy football, managers love to hear this.

• Reduced reps but high efficiency mixed with passing-game usage.

• Zero competition: 112 carries for Ekeler, while Larry Rountree is the 2nd-leading rusher on the team at 34. 

HC Brandon Staley called Ekeler a “complete back” and reiterated that the team would lean on Ekeler throughout the year. As the trade deadline approaches, I’m buying Ekeler anywhere I can.

Sure, the typical career of an RB is short, but if there’s one lesson from this article, it’s this: Never bet against Austin Ekeler. 

Hey Nurse, how’s my Fantasy Team

Steelers will be without TJ Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Joe Haden, raising the ceiling for Chargers offense (think: Ekeler). Ben Roethlisberger is still washed up (and on the Covid list). Khalil Mack will miss the remainder of the season.

• Alvin Kamara missed practice again. Mark Ingram saw 85% of snaps last week, should see a heavy workload against the Titans.

• Amari Cooper was placed on the Covid-19 list and will miss Weeks 11 and 12 (unvaccinated). Michael Gallup becomes a strong FLEX and Cedrick Wilson is worth grabbing in deep leagues.

• DeAndre Hopkins is out Sunday, while Kyler Murray (ankle) is a game-time call.

• Elijah Mitchell (finger) is doubtful; Don’t get your hopes up Trey Sermon truthers - Jeff Wilson is the lead back in Mitchell’s absence.

Chris Carson will have season ending surgery to ensure he’s 100% in his contract year. Alex Collins is an uninspiring play and Pete Carroll said Rashaad Penny will have a bigger role this week.

Quick Hits

• Dallas Goedert got PAID. He’s now 2nd behind George Kittle on annual salary among TEs.

• Tim Patrick, who went undrafted, has a 157.1 passer rating when targeted vs man coverage this year (1st among WRs). He secured the bag: 3-yr extension at $34.5 mill.

• The only rookie WRs that achieved a 75% success rate or better across all coverages? Elijah Moore and Rashod Bateman.

• Ian Hartitz from PFF dives deeper into all the fantasy-relevant injuries 

• Mac Jones has 5 games with a 100+ passer rating. No other rookie QB has one. Rhamondre Stevenson is a great testament to why paying attention to preseason can be so helpful.

• Most double-covered WRs in the NFL and how often they are open

Thanks for all your support, it’s been a long week at work but let’s have an epic weekend. And Austin Ekeler, if you’re reading this, thanks for inspiring us all.

- Jake & Eddie

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