News of Austin Ekeler

Ekeler continued to impress the chargers in 2018, finishing just a timid 1,000 yards, although he missed two games late in the concussion season. Because of its size, it gets typecast as a hindrance, but Ekeler has more than proven himself on the field – he posted at least 5.2 YPC in both of his NFL campaigns thanks to his low center of gravity and strong leg drive through contact. Ekeler has a plus of elusiveness and balance, which allows him to find extra yards in traffic, even if he doesn’t have a fast speed. His 3.8 yards after contact per carry took second place in the league against Nick Chubb, 4.3. Ekeler is not a natural recipient when it comes to racing routes, but he has soft hands and any back with a certain skill will see a lot of targets from Filip Rijeka. Ekeler took 2nd place behind Melvin Gordon, but given that Gordon has played 16 games only once in his career, chances are good that Ekeler will find himself in the starting role at least a few times in 2019. Those chances improved a step further when Gordon decided to endure the training camp, hoping to get leverage in the contract extension negotiations. As a result, Ekeler and Justin Jackson manage first team representatives during the early part of the training camp.

If there’s one thing Philip Rivers likes, it’s too small a return. Over the last decade, players like Darren Sproles and Danny Woodhead have built their careers by leading wheel routes around frustrated defenders and providing a safety cover for the defender. Last year it was Ekeler’s turn to fulfill that role, and while it took the unfinished rookie some time to earn Rijeka’s trust, by week 10 he was an integral part of Chargers ’attack, catching 12 of 13 targets for 171 yards and two touchdowns over a period of four games before his broken finger interrupted the productive series. At 5-10, 200, Eckler won’t replace Melvin Gordon in the early falls, but he runs with surprising strength for his size and can contribute little on the ground, even if his bread and butter will always be catching passes and making defenders miss in space. . The team put together Justin Jackson in the seventh round to provide extra depth in the hinterland, but if Ekeler stays healthy, his role should only grow.

An unfinished rookie from Division II, a western state, Ekeler, who weighed 195 kilograms, surprisingly survived the day of the reduction of the line-up at the beginning of September, entering behind Melvin Gordon and Branden Oliver on the starting depth map. Chargers could add more talent to the hinterland, but if not, Ekeler could touch a little early in the season.