NFL Draft 2017: A Look at the Best Pick from Each Round
Undrafted Free Agents
Los Angeles Chargers: Austin Ekeler, RB, Western Colorado
Every year after the NFL Draft hundreds of prospects who did not get drafted get signed by all 32 NFL teams to go to rookie minicamp. They hope to impress enough to get invited to training camp for the opportunity to make the roster. Then from there, these players have an uphill battle to get playing time on Sundays.
It is surprising to see how many undrafted free agents make up an NFL roster. A few of these players end up being important players for their rosters and make an impact. A select group of those players becomes among the better players in the league at what they do.
Austin Ekeler signed with the Los Angeles Chargers following the 2017 NFL Draft. He earned himself a role on the Chargers offense as a change of pace back behind Melvin Gordon and Branden Oliver. Throughout the season Ekeler overtook Oliver as the primary change of pace back behind Gordon. He finished the season with 260 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 47 rushing attempts. Ekeler also had 27 catches off 35 targets for 279 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns.
The following season Ekeler had an increased role in the Chargers’ offense. He started three games in Gordon’s absence. Ekeler rushed for 554 yards and three rushing touchdowns on 106 attempts. He also caught 39 of his 53 targets for 404 yards and three receiving touchdowns.
During Ekeler’s third season the Chargers starting running back Melvin Gordon held out for the first four games of the season for a contract extension. That plan backfired for Gordon because Ekeler played outstanding in Gordon’s absence. During that stretch, Ekeler rushed for 220 yards, three rushing touchdowns, caught 23 of his 24 targets for 270 receiving yards, and had three receiving touchdowns. He had a total of 490 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns during those four games.
After Gordon returned, Ekeler proceeded to start four more games (eight starts in total) and basically split snaps down the middle for the rest of the season with Ekeler seeing more time on the field. His final stat line for the season was 557 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns on 132 rushing attempts. Ekeler also had a career-high 993 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns from 92 receptions on 108 targets.
Los Angeles ended up letting Gordon walk in free agency and gave Ekeler a four-year $24.5 million contract. He was finally the Chargers’ workhorse running back in the 2020-21 season. He missed six games that year due to a hamstring injury and was held to only ten games. Ekeler had 530 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown on 116 rushing attempts. He also caught 54 of his 65 targets for 403 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.
Ekeler had the best season of his career this past season. In sixteen games he rushed for 911 yards and 12 rushing touchdowns on 206 rushing attempts. All of those statistics are career highs for Ekeler at this point of his career. He also caught 70 of his 94 targets for 647 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns.
Over the last couple of seasons, Ekeler has established himself as one of the elite pass-catching running backs in the league. He also doesn’t get enough credit as a runner too. Ekeler is one of the more dangerous skill position players in the league. Los Angeles hit gold when they signed Ekeler at the conclusion of the 2017 NFL Draft.
There is a conversation to be had about who is the best undrafted free agent to come out of the 2017 NFL Draft. Those who don’t believe it is Ekeler could consider Baltimore Ravens fullback Patrick Ricard. Ricard has been voted to the past three Pro Bowls and could also play along Baltimore’s defensive line. Even though Ricard plays a position that is considered outdated, he is one of the best in the league at his position. If not for him the Ravens’ rushing attack would not be as dominant as it has been over the last few seasons. He deserves recognition as one of the best undrafted free agents in the league.
Honorable Mentions: