No player has more touchdowns from scrimmage over the past three years than Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler and his 44 touchdowns.
The 28-year-old running back is a remarkable story, going from being an undrafted free agent out of Western Colorado University to becoming the NFL’s leader in passing touchdowns in 2021 (20) and 2022 (18). Ekeler’s career is historic as he is one of 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 Corbeau |
38 |
35 |
1981-1992 |
James Brooks |
49 |
30 |
1994-2005 |
Marshal Faulk* |
100 |
36 |
2002-2010 |
Brian Westbrook |
41 |
30 |
2017–present |
Austin Ekeler |
39 |
30 |
*Pro Football Hall of Fame
Unfortunately for Ekeler, his elite production didn’t match his contract year in 2023. He signed a four-year extension worth $24.5 million with the Chargers in March 2020, but his 2023 has was a total nightmare. Ekeler reached career lows in yards per carry (3.5) and yards per scrimmage touch (4.6) after suffering a sprained ankle in Week 1. He ran for 117 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries for an average of 7.3 yards per carry. a loss to the Dolphins, but Ekeler wasn’t the same when he returned from his injury in Week 6. His 3.1 yards per carry average ranked third in the entire league among 49 players qualified during this period.
Melee yards |
1,558 |
1,637 |
1,064 |
Scrimmage/touchdown yards |
5.6 |
5.3 |
4.6 |
Affected |
20* |
18* |
6 |
* Led the NFL
Unfortunately for Ekeler, he now joins a deflated free agency market: the only position groups with a lower franchise value than running backs ($12 million) are kickers and punters ($6 million). His skills as a pass catcher out of the backfield will land him an intriguing market as he leads or co-leads all running backs in catches (228), receiving yards (1,805) and receiving yards. receiving touchdowns (14, tied with Jerick. McKinnon) over the last three years.
Here’s a look at some of Ekeler’s potential landing spots and a prediction of where he might end up.
Houston is a contender allowed to take off as the Texans are powered by 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year quarterback CJ Stroud and 2023 Defensive Rookie of the Year defensive end Will Anderson Jr.. The Texans won the AFC South and a playoff game in their top-three pick the dynamic duo’s first season in the NFL. The Texans’ top two receivers, Nico Collins and Tank Dell, are also on rookie contracts.
As a result, the Texans have money to spend: Their effective cap hit of $66.6 million ranks fourth in the NFL, according to OverTheCap.com. Two of Houston’s top three running backs are also in free agency, in Devin Singletary and Dare Ogunbowale. Ekeler working in tandem with Dameon Pierce, a player who wasn’t a factor in the passing game a year ago (101 yards on 13 catches), gives him plenty of opportunities to get highlighted.
Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, a disciple of San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, learned the role of playmaker from one of the best playmakers in the league who greatly appreciates the game race. The Texans and Ekeler could fit in perfectly.
The Rams would allow Ekeler to avoid moving and stay at SoFi Stadium. NFC Los Angeles has a running back in Kyren Williams, who became the first player to finish in the NFL’s top three in rushing yards (1,144, third in the NFL) despite missing four games or more since Bull Karcis did it. for the 1937 Pittsburgh Pirates.
Williams suffered an ankle injury and missed five games in 2023. Ekeler could be a good complement to the 2023 Second Team All-Pro’s punishing running style and add versatility to head coach Sean’s backfield McVay as a receiver who could lighten Williams’ workload. . This arrangement would be mutually beneficial for Williams and Ekeler. The veteran running back could rest easy knowing that quarterback Matthew Stafford and McVay would give him the opportunity to play a legitimate role in an offense that could provide plenty of touchdown chances under the air.
The Eagles have their 2023 starting running back testing the open market in D’Andre Swift. Philadelphia also has a familiar face in Ekeler leading its offense in 2024 in new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. Moore called up to play in Los Angeles last season. The Eagles have consistently been a strong ground team behind their strong offensive line, and that was the case in 2023: they ranked eighth in the league in rushing yards per game (128.8) and seventh in expected points added per game. match (0.38). .
Philly has an effective cap hit of $37.8 million this offseason, 10th in the NFL. The Eagles don’t typically give multi-year free agent contracts to running backs, but this could be a good time for Ekeler to rebuild his value a full year after a sprained ankle.
The Chiefs’ 2023 group of receivers, back-to-back Super Bowl champions, led the NFL in drops (28) and drop rate (12%), according to SportRadar. They will be in the market for an upgrade. Unfortunately for them and every other franchise hungry for receivers, the top three options – Tee Higgins (franchise tag), Mike Evans (re-signed with Buccaneers) and Michael Pittman Jr. (non-exclusive franchise tag) – will not be not revealed. walk.
Yes, Ekeler is a running back, but he is the best in pass production at the position. He has 39 more catches than 2023 Offensive Player of the Year Christian McCaffrey since 2021 (228 to 189) and 157 more receiving yards than CMC in the same span (1,805 to 1,648). Fullback Ekeler is tied for first in receiving touchdowns at his position (14) with Chiefs running back Jerick McKinnon.
McKinnon is set to become an unrestricted free agent who turns 32 on May 3. Ekeler is three years younger (he turns 29 on May 17) and he’s much more dynamic as a rusher than McKinnon ever was. The Chiefs could spend some money on Ekeler as a new pass-catching weapon out of the backfield, who can also run between the tackles, and they could then prioritize the receiver position in the draft.
Prediction
Ekeler signs with the Chiefs as head coach Andy Reid looks at him and sees a diet version of a running back he last coached 14 years ago, Brian Westbrook. Once an AFC West rival, Ekeler is rebuilding his stats on a one-year deal alongside Patrick Mahomes with hopes of a multi-year pact somewhere in 2025.