Austin Ekeler posts over 1,000 all-purpose yards
Recently, I wondered which running back would be the primary backup to Melvin Gordon this season. While Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson should both get the opportunity to contribute, I see Ekeler expanding on his impressive rookie season, in which he had 624 all-purpose yards.
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This year, I predict he’ll nearly double that figure.
Ekeler is a talented player but his desire to make plays and his work ethic will make it too difficult for the Chargers not to use him as often as possible. I feel he is more dangerous as a receiver out of the backfield than he is a ball carrier, and that’s where I see him racking up a good chunk of yardage, though he’ll also show an improvement carrying the ball as well, where he’ll hopefully have fixed his fumbling issue.
2018 projected stats: 450+ yards receiving, 400+ yards rushing, 150+ yards returning kicks.
Though Jackson will also make some plays, Ekeler will state his case as a player the team will want to invest in for the foreseeable future.