Joshua Kelley 2023 Outlook
Kelley never ran for more than 49 yards in any of his 13 games last season. That day against Cleveland (10 carries, 49 yards, one TD; two receptions for 33 yards) was his only time breaking 10 fantasy points in the past two years. The 212-pounder can be a goal-line threat but not a big contributor in the passing game. Now entering his fourth season with the Los Angeles Chargers, Kelley’s best chance at a starring role and fantasy relevance may have gone up in smoke when Austin Ekeler signed an amended contract to keep him happy as a Charger for 2023. Ekeler had been open about wanting a trade after being made to feel that the Chargers would not pay him like one of the best running backs in football; at least for now, some added incentives will tide him over to his next contract. And Ekeler working to meet those incentives could mean he wants to come off the field less often, translating to fewer opportunities for Kelley and Isaiah Spiller.
Joshua Kelley 2021 Outlook
Kelley, who was a healthy scratch in two of the Chargers' final four games, was a bit of a disappointment as a rookie. As CBSSports.com noted, his fall from fantasy grace came precipitously as Kelley saw 47 touches in his first three games as a complement to Austin Ekeler before yielding time to Justin Jackson and then Kalen Ballage as the season progressed. By the time Ekeler (quad) returned from a multi-month absence, Kelley had completely fallen out of the rotation in favor of Ballage despite the two having similarly modest yards-per-carry averages. Looking ahead, the UCLA product could have a chance to increase his role in his second NFL season with a new coaching regime on board. That the Chargers have more invested in him (a 2020 fourth-rounder) than in Jackson (and with Ballage moving on to Pittsburgh via free agency), could work in Kelley's favor. Worth noting: The Chargers drafted running back Larry Rountree III in the sixth round with the thought of him serving as a key special teamer in his rookie season. But USA Today reports that in the eyes of NFL evaluators, the team might have something more valuable. Whatever the case, fantasy managers looking to invest in the second piece of this backfield should only do so if they're confident the role is there.
