Fantasy Football: 5 Replacements for Saquon Barkley on your roster

2. Joshua Kelley, Los Angeles Chargers

ESPN Rostered Percentage: 27.9

Everyone was ready for the Los Angeles Chargers to be the Austin Ekeler show in the 2020 season with Melvin Gordon gone. Even with Justin Jackson and 2020 rookie Joshua Kelley on the roster, it was all about Ekeler. But through the first two weeks of the season with Jackson on the sidelines, it’s clear that Kelley is going to have a sizeable role in addition to Ekeler.

The rookie flashed in Week 1 with 12 carries for 60 yards and a touchdown, giving us a hint that he had a part to play in the Chargers attack. That was amplified with Justin Herbert getting the start in Week 2 as Kelley dominated the touches, taking 23 carries for only 64 yards but getting his first two career receptions for 49 yards. He’s been over double-digit fantasy points in each week now.

Herbert was good enough in his Week 2 start that he might’ve won another shot to prove himself moving forward. If that happens, head coach Anthony Lynn is going to continue to somewhat protect him with the run. That will mean more touches for Kelley working in-tandem with Ekeler.

As a mid-round rookie, Kelley may not be the most high-profile player that you’ll see available on the waiver wire. But with the way he’s played through two weeks and with the role that he clearly already has in this backfield, he’s worth adding as he’s available in almost 75 percent of leagues.