Austin Ekeler landing spots: Chiefs, Rams among destinations that make sense for free agent Chargers RB

No player has accounted for more touchdowns from scrimmage the last three years than Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler and his 44 touchdowns. 

The 28-year-old running back is remarkable story, going from being an undrafted free agent out of Western Colorado University to leading the NFL in touchdowns in both 2021 (20) and 2022 (18). Ekeler’s career is historic since he is one of only seven players in NFL history with 30 or more rushing touchdowns and 30 or more receiving touchdowns in NFL history. 

1952-1964

Frank Gifford*

34

43

1956-1967

Lenny Moore*

63

48

1958-1968

John David Crow

38

35

1981-1992

James Brooks

49

30

1994-2005

Marshall Faulk*

100

36

2002-2010

Brian Westbrook

41

30

2017-Present

Austin Ekeler

39

30

* Pro Football Hall of Famer

Unfortunately for Ekeler, his elite production didn’t align with his contract year in 2023. He signed a four-year, $24.5 million extension with the Chargers in March of 2020, but his 2023 was a total nightmare. Ekeler averaged career lows in yards per carry (3.5) and yards per scrimmage touch (4.6) after suffering a high ankle sprain back in Week 1. He ran for 117 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries for an average of 7.3 yards per rush in a loss against the Dolphins, but Ekeler wasn’t the same when he returned from the injury in Week 6. His 3.1 yards-per-carry average ranked as the third fewest in the entire league among 49 qualified players in that span.

Scrimmage Yards

1,558

1,637

1,064

Scrimmage Yards/Touch

5.6

5.3

4.6

Touchdowns

20*

18*

6

* Led NFL

Sadly for Ekeler, he now joins a deflated running back free agency market: the only position groups with a lower franchise tag value than running backs ($12 million) are kickers and punters ($6 million). His skill set as a pass-catcher out of the backfield will allow him to have an intriguing market since he leads or co-leads all running backs in catches (228), receiving yards (1,805) and receiving touchdowns (14, tied with Jerick…

Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/austin-ekeler-landing-spots-chiefs-rams-among-destinations-that-make-sense-for-free-agent-chargers-rb/

Author : Garrett Podell

Publish date : 2024-03-07 01:36:34

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