LA Chargers: Bolt Beat’s 2020 season predictions roundtable

7. Who has the best chance to make the Pro Bowl for the first time?

Faustino Felix: The obvious answer is Austin Ekeler. He will finally get the backfield to himself, and the people who doubt that he can handle a large workload because of his size probably don’t know that Ekeler had 459 carries in his last two years at Western Colorado. Ekeler is as elusive as they come and is one of the strongest players in the league pound-for-pound.

Steven Haglund: Best chance at their first Pro Bowl is Austin Ekeler for me. I think he could get close to 2,000 total scrimmage yards this year with the increase in rushing responsibility in 2020.

Plus, he’s got the added bonus of being a fantasy football star which should help him get some votes. I’ve already mentioned two other players that also could push for this in Bulaga and Murray, but Drue Tranquill has sneaky upside here as well.

Devon Auriemma: Austin Ekeler. You can argue that last year should’ve resulted in his first Pro Bowl appearance, as he totaled 1,550 scrimmage yards and 11 touchdowns. Ekeler is now the team’s starting running back and will be a major threat for the Chargers offense this season.

Alexander Insdorf: Bryan Bulaga is the guy for me. Every time I mention him the reaction is, “wait, he hasn’t been to a Pro Bowl already?”. While the left side of the line is a question mark for the Chargers, the right side is set with Bulaga and Trai Turner.

Playing with a six-time Pro Bowler right next to him will help his odds as well. He’s such a massive upgrade over Trent Scott and other players the Chargers have plugged in at right tackle over the last few years.

Jason Reed: Ekeler seems like a guaranteed lock for this but I also like Drue Tranquill, Bryan Bulaga and here is a wild card for you — Joe Reed. He has great initials, a great last name and if he is enough of a net-positive on special teams then I could see him getting in there for that alone.