The Los Angeles Chargers fantasy football prospects could be judged by if and when. That is if Tyrod Taylor starts under center and when he will be replaced by a draft choice to be named.
However, for this edition, Taylor not only starts under center but ranks in the fantasy football lexicon of the Chargers. So these rankings assume Taylor will be the starting quarterback for the 2020 NFL season.
Los Angeles Chargers Fantasy Football Rankings
Offensive Players
- Austin Ekeler, Running Back: Ekeler needs to be the first Charger off your fantasy football board. There is no longer worry about Melvin Gordon cutting into his share, but if last season is any indication Ekeler will be a top 20 fantasy running back. Without Gordon on the field, Ekeler averaged 5.1 catches and 60.8 receiving yards. He finished last season running the sixth most running back pass routes. Oh yeah, he also averaged 4.2 rushing yards.
- Tyrod Taylor, Quarterback: I know it’s crazy! But when Taylor was the starter at Buffalo he threw 51 touchdowns with 16 interceptions. He finished the three years with a 62.6 completion percentage. In those three years, he added 11 rushing touchdowns. In his final year in Buffalo, he averaged 14.8 fantasy points per game. Taylor is getting grief because he hasn’t played a full season since his last stint in Buffalo in 2017, but remember whenever you have a quarterback who can run…there is a viable fantasy option there.
- Hunter Henry, Tight End: I like Henry and he probably would be the first choice off the board if it wasn’t for his durability issues. Henry has been in the league three years and has been injured in the last two. When he is on the field he is good. Last season he finished as TE9 in fantasy. This season he will surely be a check-down and red zone option for Taylor. That improves his fantasy football ranking if he stays healthy.
- Keenan Allen, Wide Receiver: Allen’s 149 targets last season will see a dramatic decrease this season. But he was the most targeted option and that should bode well. The problem is he only averaged 9.8 fantasy points per game last season with Philip Rivers on 149 targets. Rivers had 591 passing attempts last season, no way that is happening this year. Allen was on the field for 91.2 percent of the offensive snaps and was on the receiving end of 26 percent of Rivers’ targets. For wide receivers, he is your best bet.
- Justin Jackson, Running Back: There is nothing to suggest Jackson will not be part of some sort of running back by committee with Ekeler. Look For Jackson to see at least 10-12 carries per game. He has averaged 5.1 yards per carry. That should be enough to at least rank him as a fantasy football handcuff, with a higher ceiling.
- Mike Williams, Wide Receiver: Williams will suffer the most with Taylor under center. Taylor is not known for throwing downfield. In Buffalo, he averaged a little under seven yards per attempt. Williams averaged 20.4 yards per reception. He was responsible for 13 percent of the target share with Rivers airing it out. With a more controlled, conservative passing game Williams is the odd man out.
In The Scheme Of Things
The Chargers offensive players are currently an afterthought in fantasy football land. That bodes well for those paying attention.
Defensive Players
Defensively it is another world. For those playing in any type of IDP fantasy, the Chargers defensive player pool is pretty much unlimited. The defensive line is stacked and the secondary is formidable.
If you are playing traditional fantasy their defense is in the top five; if you are playing IDP here are the top five players to consider.
- Melvin Ingram, Defensive End
- Derwin James, Safety
- Chris Harris Jr., Cornerback
- Joey Bosa, Defensive End
- Linval Joseph, Defensive Tackle
Conclusion
While everyone is salivating over the Chargers’ defense (rightly so), don’t be afraid to grab you an offensive player or two.