The Los Angeles Chargers‘ season feels like it’s officially lost after QB Justin Herbert had season-ending surgery on his index finger earlier this week.
With fantasy football darling Austin Ekeler struggling in recent weeks, could the team give more opportunities to Joshua Kelley and get a closer look at his potential future role? Will he see more touches in Week 15 against the Las Vegas Raiders?
Should You Start Joshua Kelley in Week 15?
The recent struggles of the Chargers’ offense have been concerning for a team whose calling card was elite firepower with both a dynamic quarterback and all-purpose back leading the way.
Unfortunately, Ekeler has struggled on the ground this season and hasn’t rushed for more than 70 yards in a game since the season opener.
MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
While there have been whispers of a potentially expanded role for Kelley with Ekeler’s dip in production, Kelley still saw just three carries for six yards over seven offensive snaps in Week 14.
I’ll have to see a significantly expanded role for Kelley before I believe it enough to start him in fantasy.
Trending Start/Sit Searches For Kelley
Did you know that we have a Start/Sit Optimizer here at Pro Football Network?! It’s completely free to use, and it allows you to enter in up to six players to find the best option to plug into your starting lineup!
It also allows us to see the most popular trending searches, and we’ve jotted some of them down here to help provide some clarity!
Should You Start Joshua Kelley or Dameon Pierce?
The diminished role of Houston Texans RB Dameon Pierce is one of the biggest fantasy disappointments of the 2023 season. Last week he saw just four carries for nine yards. However, he did have 15 carries for 41 yards and a score the week before against the Denver Broncos.
MORE: Fantasy News Tracker
Do you know the last time Kelley saw 15 carries in a game? The answer is Week 4. I’d rather roll the dice with Pierce this week.
Should You Start Kelley or Khalil Herbert?
The production of Chicago Bears RB Khalil Herbert returning from injured reserve has been a complete disaster for fantasy managers who were counting on him as an RB2. His carries have been evaporating in three straight games, going from 12 to six to three.
The Bears’ matchup against the Cleveland Browns doesn’t exactly inspire a high fantasy ceiling, which makes me want to take a chance on Kelley in Week 15.
Derek Tate’s Week 15 RB Rankings
1) Christian McCaffrey | SF (at ARI)
2) Alvin Kamara | NO (vs. NYG)
3) Austin Ekeler | LAC (at LV)
4) Bijan Robinson | ATL (at CAR)
5) Kyren Williams | LAR (vs. WAS)
6) Tony Pollard | DAL (at BUF)
7) Josh Jacobs | LV (vs. LAC)
8) Jahmyr Gibbs | DET (vs. DEN)
9) Saquon Barkley | NYG (at NO)
10) Rachaad White | TB (at GB)
11) Zack Moss | IND (vs. PIT)
12) Derrick Henry | TEN (vs. HOU)
13) Travis Etienne Jr. | JAX (vs. BAL)
14) Breece Hall | NYJ (at MIA)
15) David Montgomery | DET (vs. DEN)
16) James Cook | BUF (vs. DAL)
17) Joe Mixon | CIN (vs. MIN)
18) Isiah Pacheco | KC (at NE)
19) Javonte Williams | DEN (at DET)
20) Raheem Mostert | MIA (vs. NYJ)
21) De’Von Achane | MIA (vs. NYJ)
22) Brian Robinson Jr. | WAS (at LAR)
23) Ezekiel Elliott | NE (vs. KC)
24) D’Andre Swift | PHI (at SEA)
25) Chuba Hubbard | CAR (vs. ATL)
26) Aaron Jones | GB (vs. TB)
27) Jerome Ford | CLE (vs. CHI)
28) James Conner | ARI (vs. SF)
29) Najee Harris | PIT (at IND)
30) Alexander Mattison | MIN (at CIN)
31) Jaylen Warren | PIT (at IND)
32) Keaton Mitchell | BAL (at JAX)
33) Antonio Gibson | WAS (at LAR)
34) Kenneth Walker III | SEA (vs. PHI)
35) AJ Dillon | GB (vs. TB)
36) Gus Edwards | BAL (at JAX)
37) Chase Brown | CIN (vs. MIN)
38) Devin Singletary | HOU (at TEN)
39) Clyde Edwards-Helaire | KC (at NE)
40) Tyjae Spears | TEN (vs. HOU)
41) Jerick McKinnon | KC (at NE)
42) Dameon Pierce | HOU (at TEN)
43) Jamaal Williams | NO (vs. NYG)
44) Joshua Kelley | LAC (at LV)
45) Zach Charbonnet | SEA (vs. PHI)
46) Roschon Johnson | CHI (at CLE)
47) Khalil Herbert | CHI (at CLE)
48) Kenneth Gainwell | PHI (at SEA)
49) Ameer Abdullah | LV (vs. LAC)
50) Rico Dowdle | DAL (at BUF)
Looking to make a trade in your fantasy league? Having trouble deciding who to start and who to sit? Setting DFS lineups? Check out PFN’s Free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer and DFS Lineup Optimizer to help you make the right decision!