Austin Ekeler has been a fantasy football cheat code in consecutive seasons, and while he might not be happy to still be in Los Angeles, we certainly are! He is entering his age-28 season and is locked in as a building block for us. But when should he be taken off the board in this evolving offense?
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Austin Ekeler’s Fantasy Outlook
The biggest change in this offense from last season isn’t on the field. Offensive coordinator Kellen Moore brings his aggressive play-calling over from Dallas in an effort to unlock a team that, despite the talent, was not a top-10 scoring unit a season ago.
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APPLE: https://t.co/bO4YVR0YN7
SPOTIFY: https://t.co/tar8NLOqMJ pic.twitter.com/6VjTkU6UkZ— Austin Ekeler (@AustinEkeler) August 17, 2023
At his disposal will be a bevy of playmakers at the receiver position alongside Ekeler. Mike Williams and Keenan Allen are staples at this point, both of whom are looking to rebound from seasons cut short by injury.
Joshua Palmer was used more than expected last season due to the Williams/Allen injuries, and it paid it off with 72 catches for 769 yards.
With two years under his belt, Palmer is a strong WR3, and let’s not forget that the Bolts spent the 21st overall pick on 6’3” Quentin Johnston in the 2023 NFL Draft. This might be the best four-pack of receivers in the NFL, and they are at the disposal of an offensive mind capable of maximizing their talents.
Is Ekeler a Good Fantasy Pick?
In the middle of the first round, I have no problem with Ekeler, but I don’t think he’s in the No. 1 overall pick conversation. If you go that way, you’re paying for past performance (38 TDs over the past two years) more than his 2023 projection.
You’re splitting hairs at the top of the board, but the fact that Ekeler, in a massive season with WR injuries, only had three games with 70 rushing yards is a concern.
It becomes a growing problem as this offense likely aims to open up under Moore. Ekeler’s weekly ceiling is as high as any in the game, but I do think his floor dips a bit, and that’s enough for me to look elsewhere in the first half of the first round.
- PFN Consensus Rank: RB2 (3rd overall)
- Current ADP: RB2 (4th overall)