Los Angeles Chargers: 3 players who could surprise in 2021

3. Larry Rountree III, RB

The Los Angeles Chargers’ running back position group is going to be an interesting one to follow as the 2021 offseason progresses.

Ekeler was outstanding in 2019 when he had over 1,500 yards from scrimmage and 11 total touchdowns, but in the three other seasons he’s played in the NFL, his production has not really even been close to that.

In his other three NFL seasons, Ekeler has under 1,000 yards from scrimmage and no more than six touchdowns. Part of that is due to the fact that he only played 10 games in 2020, but can a smaller back like Ekeler be counted on to stay healthy if given 250-300 touches in a season?

That’s tough to say especially coming off of a season in which he only played 10 games.

Justin Jackson and Joshua Kelley make up the top two behind Ekeler for the time being, though neither has proven themselves to be a clear RB2 for this team in terms of their production.

Larry Rountree III, a sixth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Missouri, has a chance to seize RB2 duties and that could mean quite a lot of carries in 2021. Ekeler is obviously known more for his abilities as a receiver than featured running back, and Rountree has that nice contrast in style to Ekeler’s play.

Although Rountree may not be dynamic, he could very well emerge from training camp as a 150-carry type of player.