Tag: Chargers running backs

Fantasy Football: Projecting Chargers running backs’ production in 2020

How will Austin Ekeler, Justin Jackson and Joshua Kelley do in 2020?

The Chargers’ offense will shift to a run-heavy system, which means that fantasy football owners should have their eyes on running backs Austin Ekeler, Justin Jackson and Joshua Kelley in their drafts.

Ekeler is the clear cut No. 1 RB on the depth chart, but the amount of carries he receives remains to be seen, simply because the team plans to use his versatility as a pass-catcher in the slot and out wide.

The battle between Jackson and Kelley to see who could be the guy who carries the load has been heated throughout training camp.

The third-year Jackson has impressed, but Kelley, the fourth-round pick, has made a statement to have the lead role, showing out as a runner and receiver up to this point.

How does USA Today’s The Huddle see the backfield panning out?

For Ekeler, they have him amassing 1,330 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns. Jackson is forecasted to post 400 yards on the ground for four touchdowns. Kelley is projected to rush for 350 yards and three touchdowns.

The Huddle predicts Jackson to enter the season as RB2 behind Kelley while the first-year player provides as a short-yardage specialist. But it wouldn’t surprising to see Kelley take on a bigger role early on in the season.

I’ve mentioned since when the Chargers drafted him that I could see the former UCLA product end up with a good amount of work out of the backfield.

It remains to be seen when the transition will occur, but I expect Los Angeles to give the majority of the load to Kelley after they take more of a committee approach.

The bottom line is Ekeler is worth an early round pick, while Jackson and Kelley both are talented, present plenty of upside, and are worthy of being handcuffed in your fantasy football drafts.

My projection: Kelley outproduces Jackson in 2020.

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Chargers’ backfield shining at training camp

The Chargers look to be efficient on the ground in 2020.

The Chargers’ offense is going to shift from pass-heavy to run-heavy this upcoming season.

Led by Austin Ekeler, the backfield features a rotation of young and healthy runners. The rest of the pack is made up of third-year Justin Jackson and rookie Joshua Kelley.

With the running game becoming the focal point this upcoming season, the backfield needs to be at its best. So far in training camp, each member has stood out.

Ekeler, who will be the feature back after Melvin Gordon’s departure, has done what he does best by beating defenders on the ground, as well as through the air, whether he’s been lined up out of the backfield or out wide.

The battle for RB2 is one of the more compelling positional competitions, which is between Jackson and Kelley. Both players have shined, making the battle even more stiff.

Jackson, the former Northwestern product, continues to churn out yards on the ground. After dealing with an injury in 2019, Jackson looks to stay healthy and produce like he has done in a limited capacity.

Jackson has averaged 5.1 yards on 79 carries and has caught 24 of 30 targets to this point in his career. He was praised by his teammate, Ekeler, calling him “so unique,” and even said he’s making an effort to emulate certain parts aspects of Jackson’s running style.

While Jackson may have the slight edge to win the job due to his experience in the league, Kelley is making things intriguing.

Kelley, the team’s fourth-round pick, is trying to show that he can carve up a significant role in his rookie season. He has been making the most of his reps with the first-team. The former UCLA product has been running with a physical mentality, while also showing off his speed.

Lynn spoke on Kelley on Friday, stating that he’s been having a good camp, and is a quick learner.

Chargers top 5 breakout season players in 2020: RB Justin Jackson

The third-year running back for the Los Angeles Chargers could have a big season in 2020.

Every season, there are players who break out onto the scene who may not have been dominant the season before, whether they were a backup, dealt with an injury or just improved as a player in the offseason.

This is the first story in a 10-part series counting down the top 5 Chargers players who I believe are most likely to have a breakout season in 2020.

Jackson, the seventh-round selection of 2018, has flashed each and every time that he is on the field.

In his rookie season, he was buried on the depth chart and didn’t get many opportunities because Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler carried the load. In the following season when he had the opportunity to break out, Jackson was held back by an injury, limiting him to just seven games.

However, Jackson has done remarkably well as a runner in limited action. In 20 games played, the former Northwestern product has averaged 5.1 yards per carry on 79 touches.

Entering his third campaign, the team is still “very high” on Jackson despite the durability concerns. After drafting RB Joshua Kelley in the fourth-round of this year’s draft, it’s evident that the backfield will likely be a committee.

But with the team expected to run the ball more now that a mobile quarterback will be under center, Jackson will have the chance to return back to his old ways and carry a large load, if he can stay healthy.

“This year’s a big year for Justin,” Ridgley said. “We’ve got to find a way to get him on the field and have him contribute. I think everyone in here saw what he can do when he’s healthy.”

Projecting the Chargers’ post-draft depth chart at running back

Austin Ekeler is RB1. Then who?

The marriage between the Chargers and Melvin Gordon came to an end earlier this offseason as the franchise chose not to re-sign him. Gordon won’t be too far from his former team since he was picked up by AFC West rival – Denver Broncos.

How will the backfield look heading into this upcoming season?

Below, I take a crack at predicting Los Angeles’ depth chart at running back for the 2020 season:

RB1: Austin Ekeler

From undrafted free agent to one of the league’s most dynamic weapons. Ekeler is coming off his best season, which included 92 catches for 993 yards and eight receiving touchdowns. Only Panthers’ Christian McCaffrey had more receptions (116) among running backs. After Gordon’s departure, the former Western Colorado sits atop of the depth chart. Ekeler will get a decent amount of carries, but the coaching staff still wants to use his pass-catching abilities, which will see him line up in the slot and outside aside from just the backfield.

RB2: Justin Jackson

The second running back spot is where it becomes interesting. This will be a competition between Jackson and fourth-round pick Joshua Kelley. The former Northwestern product gets the nod heading into the season, given his experience, production in a limited capacity and the fact that the team is still “high on him”. In 20 games played, Jackson averaged 5.1 yards per carry on 79 touches. Eager to make his mark last season, Jackson was limited to just seven games due to an injury. If he can stay healthy, Jackson is primed for a breakout season.

RB3: Joshua Kelley

Kelley is capable of rising up the depth chart as the season goes on and I am a firm believer that he will. The only reason I have him listed as RB3 is primarily due to the lack of exposure at camp and I believe the coaching staff really covets Jackson despite the injury concerns. However, Kelley has a well-rounded skillset and the production in a significant role to be effective as the feature back down the road. Over 43 games in college, Kelley rushed 647 times for 3,442 yards and 31 touchdowns. His injury history is nonexistent, too.

FB: Bobby Holly

The Chargers lost Derek Watt, who signed with the Steelers earlier this offseason. Following his departure, coach Anthony Lynn said that the team would be bringing in a fullback to fill the void. The competition to do so will be between Holly and Gabe Nabers. I recently gave Nabers the nod over Holly due to positional versatility. But I believe that Holly brings more upside as a blocker.

Chargers’ Mark Ridgley talks state of running backs

The Chargers running back group will have a slightly new look heading into 2020.

The Chargers backfield will have a slightly reconstructed look heading into the upcoming season.

Returning is Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson. Not returning is Melvin Gordon. Coming in is fourth-round pick Joshua Kelley.

Running backs coach Mark Ridgley spoke with the media on Wednesday to talk about the remodeled positional group.

Now that Gordon is gone, who will serve as the feature back remains to be seen. Ridgley says the roles of the running backs will develop as they go through practice and training camp. He called it a “group by committee.”

He pointed to Ekeler and Jackson adjusting to Gordon’s absence last September as the type of change he’s looking for.

Ekeler, who’s coming off an outstanding 2019 season, is expected to keep his same duties as a ball carrier and pass-catcher in the slot and out wide. The former Western Colorado product defied the odds by working his way up from an undrafted free agent to one of the league’s top offensive weapons.

Ridgley said Ekeler is an example for the younger players who are looking to make the 53-man roster. He said he tells players about his story and how he made the team, calling him a “great young man”.

Jackson is looking to step up after being hindered by an injury last season. The former Northwestern product showed flashes of dominance, but he will have to show he can stay healthy.

“I’m excited about the potential of Justin,” Ridgley said. “First time I met him was at the East-West Shrine Game. This year is a big year for Justin. We have to get him on the field and contributing.”

The excitement is high for the addition of Kelley, the former UCLA product. Kelley is seen as a short-yardage and goal line back, but he has the skillset to become the feature back if all goes well.

Ridgley said Kelley has a personality that compliments Ekeler and Jackson. He said Kelley has had a great journey to get to the league and that he can’t wait to see him play.

Ekeler’s versatility will likely want to be put to good use still. In order to allow him to manage those tasks, there will be a lot of two-running back sets. Like Ridgley said, training camp and preseason will tell who gets the bulk of snaps between Kelley and Jackson for RB2.