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Melvin Gordon holdout: Fantasy context for 2019

By Raju Byfield

BALTIMORE, MD - JANUARY 06: Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) hands the ball off to running back Melvin Gordon (28) against the Baltimore Ravens on January 6, 2019, at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, MD. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - JANUARY 06: Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) hands the ball off to running back Melvin Gordon (28) against the Baltimore Ravens on January 6, 2019, at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, MD. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 13: Austin Ekeler #30 of the Los Angeles Chargers runs with the ball during the AFC Divisional Playoff Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 13: Austin Ekeler #30 of the Los Angeles Chargers runs with the ball during the AFC Divisional Playoff Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

Melvin Gordon holdout – Fantasy Context:

Justin Jackson

Justin Jackson showed some flashes last season. He had consecutive impressive games against the Cardinals and Steelers where he racked up 120 total yards on 15 total carries (8.0 ypc average). He also proved that he can function as a high volume receiving option by corralling seven of 10 targets against the Baltimore Ravens.

Despite being drafted in the seventh round coming out of NorthWestern, Jackson is a spot starter-level talent. If Gordon is to miss regular-season action as is now expected, Jackson will be an RB2 with an RB3 floor for most of his matchups. Jackson has the talent to succeed in a high volume role, but just as is the case with Gordon, Austin Ekeler will siphon snaps and touches. With Gordon in the lineup, Jackson is just a handcuff that can also serve as upside bench depth.

Austin Ekeler

Austin Ekeler is an impressive talent who put himself firmly on the fantasy football map last season. Ekeler started the fantasy season with a bang before declining sharply. He averaged 6.8 yards per carry and 12.6 yards per reception in the first half of the season, before averaging 4.6 yards per carry and 8.3 yards per reception in the second half of the season.

Those numbers took a nosedive in the three games he started where he averaged just 3.2 yards per carry and 6.3 yards per reception. Based on the numbers it appears that Ekeler, a division two product, is more suited to a change of pace role as opposed to that of a starter. Ekeler will remain an RB3 with RB2 upside and a flex floor if Gordon misses games.

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