Rushing to Victory: Who Will Reign in Fantasy Football - Austin Ekeler or Christian McCaffrey?

As the 2023 NFL season approaches, many fantasy football owners are trying to predict which players will perform the best on their teams. Two players who are sure to be on many people's radars are Austin Ekeler and Christian McCaffrey, both running backs with impressive stats.

Looking at Ekeler's numbers from 2020 to 2022, he had an Approximate Value (AV) of 29 and played in 43 games with the Los Angeles Chargers. During that time, he rushed for an average of 54.8 yards per game and scored 0.6 touchdowns per game. Additionally, he caught an average of 5.4 passes per game for 41.2 yards and 0.3 touchdowns. His versatility as a receiver and runner makes him a valuable asset for fantasy football teams.

On the other hand, McCaffrey had an AV of 23 and played in 27 games during the same time period. He rushed for an average of 66.9 yards per game and scored 0.5 touchdowns per game. Moreover, he caught an average of 5.1 passes per game for 45.7 yards and 0.3 touchdowns. Although he played fewer games than Ekeler, his per-game average yards are higher. Also, since moving to the 49ers, McCaffrey has become a touchdown machine.

When it comes to fantasy football, obviously, a huge factor to consider is the teams these two players are on. The Chargers have a decent offensive line, and Ekeler has been able to capitalize on that with consistent production. However, the 49ers are known for their run-heavy offense, which will most likely lead to more opportunities for McCaffrey. Especially, when you factor in the questions at quarterback for the Niners.

Based on these stats, it's clear that both Ekeler and McCaffrey would be valuable assets for any fantasy football team. Of course, health is always key to having a productive fantasy season as well. However, assuming both players stay healthy for a full season, given McCaffrey's higher per-game average yards and his move to the 49ers, I predict that he will have the better fantasy football stats in the upcoming season.

What are your thoughts on who will be the best RB in fantasy football in 2023?