Fantasy Football 2018: Top 10 waiver wire Week 13 pickups

CANTON, OH - AUGUST 02: Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) on the field for pregame warmups prior to the National Football League preseason game between the Chicago Bears and Baltimore Ravens on August 2, 2018, at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, OH. Baltimore defeated Chicago 17-16. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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CARSON, CA – NOVEMBER 25: Running back Austin Ekeler #30 of the Los Angeles Chargers runs past free safety Antoine Bethea #41 of the Arizona Cardinals in the third quarter at StubHub Center on November 25, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Los Angeles Chargers RB Austin Ekeler

With Melvin Gordon sidelined with a torn MCL, the Los Angeles Chargers will turn to Austin Ekeler as their lead back over the next few weeks – and potentially for the remainder of the 2018 regular season.

Although Gordon has been one of the NFL’s best running backs in both the passing game and running game this season with about 125 yards from scrimmage per game, Ekeler has also been impressive when given touches. Ekeler is averaging nearly 70 yards from scrimmage per game of his own, and while he has only four touchdowns this year (Gordon has 13), those numbers could increase over the next few weeks with Gordon out.

Available in shallow leagues, Ekeler is a must-own, especially after showing-out in the Chargers 45-10 Week 12 drubbing of the Arizona Cardinals. Targeted a whopping 11 times by a pinpoint-accurate Philip Rivers, Ekeler caught 10 passes for 68 yards against the hapless Cardinals linebackers, converting five carries into 35 yards with his first rushing touchdown of the season.

In Week 12, Ekeler, who has been a model of consistency in 2018 with 5.8 yards per carry, surpassed 100 yards from scrimmage for the first time. The talented second-year UDFA out of Western State is a must-watch player in the Chargers offense, and he could have another 100-yard game in Week 13 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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