Fantasy Football Friday FLEX: Joshua Kelley, RB, LA Chargers
The Fantasy Football Friday FLEX is where we name our FLEX Play of the Week. And for Week 3 the FLEX Play of the Week is…
FLEX Play of the Week: Joshua Kelley/ RB/ LA Chargers
Joshua Kelley has taken on a heavy workload for the Chargers early in his rookie season. After 2 weeks he has 35 carries; 23 carries coming in Week 2 against Kansas City. Kelley has taken on the Melvin Gordon early-down role and while he isn’t going be a PPR beast like Austin Ekeler, his teammate, he did add 2 catches on 3 targets last week.
Kelley is due for a big game and it could be this week against a vulnerable Carolina run defense. And when I say vulnerable I mean giving up an average of 127.5 yards per game rushing vulnerable. Here is why I say Kelley is on the verge of a big-time game, he is among the league leaders in red-zone attempts (8), carries inside the 10-yard line (6) and rushes inside the 5-yard line (3). In Week 2 against the Chiefs, Kelley handled 25 total touches (23 carries) in an overtime game, and he finished with 113 total yards. Carolina has allowed 6 TDs to RBs in 2 games. Josh Jacobs, Devontae Booker, Leonard Fournette and Shady McCoy all caught 3+ passes against Carolina as well, meaning Kelley could cash in via the air as well. But his strength is his ability to handle carries.
Kelley seems to love LA and LA seems to love Kelley. Expect the love to continue this week as Kelley has established a role in this backfield with Austin Ekeler.
Production Prediction: 19 carries for 79 yards and 2 TDs
