Chargers News: NFL Fans Debate if Austin Ekeler Can Live Up to Fantasy Hype in 2023

The 2023 NFL season is coming up, Charger fans. The Bolts are primed for a historic season and will be ready to show they are the best team in the league when the time comes.

The start of the NFL season also means the start of fantasy football. Fantasy football is just as big as the actual football itself; it's so fun, and anyone and everybody can participate. The Chargers have a ton of players who thrive on the actual gridiron and in fantasy; one of the Bolt players who dominate in both is running back Austin Ekeler.

Ekeler has been a machine in fantasy for the past handful of seasons and will look to do the same in 2023. The question is will he be able to duplicate that dominance? The NFL Twitter account posed that question to their followers, and many believe he can and will.

He also was the 1.01 with the fantasy community, by reaching out and voicing his response with his favorite fans!! EK will be on several of my teams this season, you better believe that.🤩🎸⚡️#ChargedFor2023
— R.Wilson (@wilson27) June 29, 2023

yea ek ⚡️⚡️⚡️
— Kicker my Dicker⚡️⚡️ (@GoPowderBlue) June 29, 2023

Yes, yes he can! 🤘💪🎸
— Scott Greeban (@LoungeOfficer) June 30, 2023

Absolutely!!!
— GoCowboys! (@GoCowboysX6) June 29, 2023

There's no reason for Ekeler not to continue to ball out in fantasy. He has all the pieces in place to make it happen, including his dynamic quarterback Justin Herbert.

The 28-year-old was number one in standard and half PPR, averaging 18.8 points per game, and had a total of 319.2 points in the 2022 season.

There's no questioning his talent and productivity, but there are others who don't feel like he will be number one. Fantasy Football expert Chris O'Brien has another versatile running back on his radar for number one.

Love Ek, but CMC is the RB1 this year

Ekeler saw 127 targets, the most of his career by far due to an injured receiving core

His targets will come down and his red zone efficiency probably will too

Still a top 3 fantasy RB 🔥

Consider following if you love dominating fantasy
— Chris O'Brien (@17gamepace) June 29, 2023

Those reasons are fair, and Christain McCaffrey will be a force once again in the 49ers' offense. One thing is for sure, Ekeler will be in the running for RB1, and if I have the chance to get him, I won't hesitate.