Chargers Fantasy Preview: Austin Ekeler a must start vs. Denver
Chargers Fantasy Preview: Kicking game and Broncos players
Kicking game
It’s a sentence that’s been uttered frequently in the past few years-the Chargers have a new kicker. Ty Long has been relieved of his duties while the team signed Chase McLaughlin to keep the ship afloat until Michael Badgley can return. He’s almost definitely available in your fantasy league, but it may be best to stay away given that this franchise couldn’t be more cursed with kicker debuts.
However, some may be looking for something to add another layer to them watching the Chargers. McLaughlin was a 74.6 percent kicker in college on field goals and went 3-for-3 in the preseason in addition to 5-for-5 on extra points. He’s probably a decent play since the team will be tentative in his use and not let him attempt deep field goals when not necessary. Want to sweat more when the Chargers kick field goals than you already do? Play McLaughlin!
Broncos players vs. Chargers
Flacco is a pretty terrible fantasy option at quarterback, even with a somewhat hurt Chargers’ secondary. Position players are the only way to really go with Denver in this game. Phillip Lindsay has gotten two more touchdowns and 12 more carries than Royce Freeman. Lindsay probably won’t put up starting numbers unless he gets into the end zone, but it’s certainly a flex possibility with how mediocre the run defense has been for Los Angeles.
Courtland Sutton and Emmanuel Sanders are the real fantasy options to target for this team. They have the potential to take advantage of an injured secondary. Sutton seems to have emerged as Flacco’s favorite target, but Sanders is only 11 yards behind him for the season with one more reception and an equal amount of touchdowns. A potential tight end play that’s a touchdown-dependent option is Noah Fant. He saw 73 percent of the snaps on the field in Week 4 vs. Jacksonville and could be in for a boost in Week 5.
Grading the wide receivers through four weeks. Next
OVERALL
The Chargers won’t have as easy of a time as they had against Miami, but it still should be a fairly simple game. As always, Allen and Ekeler are the prized position players if you have them. Rivers is a so-so start considering his history vs. Denver, but he’s probably still one of the better options in a 12-14 team deep league.
Gordon is a flex option, but proceed with caution considering his role is as uncertain as uncertain could be. Williams also fits into the flex category if he plays Sunday as the No.2 receiver. The defense isn’t a must-start, but like with Rivers, it’s one of the better options in a more competitive league.
For Broncos options, go with Sanders or Sutton on Sunday if your roster has one of them. Lindsay is mostly a flex option and Flacco is well… still playing like Flacco. And finally, if you want to drip in sweat on every field goal attempt harder than you already do for the Chargers, go with McLaughlin at kicker.