Austin Ekeler Talks Fantasy Football, Omarion Hampton, His Career

This man played for the LA Chargers, the Washington Commanders. He is only one of two players to have 20 total touchdowns with the LA Chargers. The other one >> probably Leanian Thomasson. >> That is it. >> The goat. The real goat. >> I don't know. We're stand We're sitting with the one right here and that is Austin Eckler. Austin, how you doing, man? >> I'm doing well. Doing well. Appreciate you having me on. Yeah, actually there's a crazy stat that I you know coming from an undrafted position I I saw this. I think I was I'm number three in all time rushing yards with the Chargers. And I saw that stat I was like I was blown away because LT is like way up there then it like drops off a cliff like he has all the records the touchdowns the rushing things like that and I was like hm maybe there hasn't been like a predominant running back like that cuz for me I'm like a hybrid guy so I was surprised by that you know I was like hm okay well shout out shout out to hey >> I think your career high was about 9 crack never yeah never got thousand >> but I mean I was there for a long time so that helps. >> So who's number two? I forgot who was number two. >> Well, it's might be Amarian Hampton on the trajectory that which we're going to talk about. Let's actually get into that right now. Uh Amarian Hampton is is someone that's >> well beloved in the fantasy community. Uh I know that recently on TikTok he posted a video with a stain song and everybody was like, "Oh my gosh, a black dude that knows ball knowledge with rock songs." >> I'm also a rock guy as well. >> Hey, let's go. Uh name some bands you like. >> Oh, I'm Slipnot. Um Avenge Sevenfold. Um, shoot. 3 Days Grace. >> Let's go. >> Yep. Um, yeah. I mean, there's a few off the top anyway. >> Okay. Yeah, I know. Slipnot only has like one guy left out of like nine original people. So, everybody's like, "Hey, this is >> stuff back in the in the '9s, 2000s, them screaming in my ear when I'm working out. Still gives me the same energy." So, >> dude, I love it. Yeah. No, I go to metal concerts all the time. >> I've never been to a metal concert. I'm actually honestly like intimidated by a metal concert. >> Oh my. It's the best thing ever. Like it's okay. The the smaller venues. Um there's a place in Atlanta called the Tabernacle. Yeah. Um there's also the Coca-Cola Roxy, the Masquerade. I love those cuz like you're just in the pit. Everybody's pushing you. I'm like one of those guys that's like flailing around. >> Oh yeah, dude. Way to get your aggression out. You don't actually hit people cuz if you do, you're like, "Oh, sorry, sorry, sorry." >> I get to hit people for for a living. So like So it's different. I don't need to go to the pit, you know? >> Yeah. No. >> No. I stay away from getting hit, you know? Well, hey, I mean, hopefully, you know, you can continue to hit people and a team will be on the horizon. We'll talk about that in just a sec, but Amarian Hampton, a lot of people want to know. >> Mike Mado has said, "Oh, fantasy football people, hate to burst the bubble, but is this actually going to be a three down back or is this going to be more of a time share with Katon Mitchell or Kamani Videl?" In your opinion, Amarian Hampton, what's your what's your analysis on him? >> I I hear Mike McDaniel. I hear what he's saying. Again, the coach talk, you can play into it, but the season's going to play itself out. And if you have a true starter, this what happened with me actually over there. I can speak to the experience. Hey, Austin, you're gonna be a kind of a tandem guy. We're going to bring someone in to split carries with you. I was there for four years on my second contract and that never happened. Why didn't happen? Cuz I was the hot hand at the time, right? So, we're going to see who's the hot hand in that back field. If it's Omarian, great. He's probably going to get majority of the reps. If he's not, they might have a type of committee type of environment. But, they love to run the ball over there. So that's, you know, McDaniel, he's going to be running the ball, all the, you know, his creativity, things like that. So I think no matter what, you're going to get good production out of him, but how heavy is that volume? I think it's going to play out. I hear what he's saying, but I think it's just smoking mirrors. >> I I kind of agree with you on that because looking at the track record of Mike Mado as a run game coordinator, I think the 49ers had a top 10 offense, rushing offense for like two years that he was over there. Then we know about the Dolphins with Ree Moer getting 18 touchdowns and Devon Achen going off as well. Um, I think Amarian Hampton is a candidate to lead the NFL in rushing touchdowns. So, there's guys like Jonathan Taylor, Josh Jacobs, Derrick Henry. I think Amarian Hampton is going to be in that conversation if everybody stays healthy, which unfortunately the offensive line is taking some hits. Man, it's it's like a curse over there, man. Like, it's the Charger curse. as a player, you don't pay any attention to it, but you hear people talk about it like, "Oh, every year we just get we have a great on paper and then all of a sudden we start just getting chipped away through injuries and it, you know, I feel bad because, you know, my my old center Tyler uh Baz Bottage at Commanders went over to, you know, the Chargers and now he had, you know, pretty significant injury over there, too. So, it's like every year, man. Like, come on. I'm rooting for him at this point. I'm not on the team anymore, but I'm like, "All right, you guys are due. We're due." Like, you guys have a solid roster every single year. >> Kind of curious. Does the substation go from Northern California down to LA with the 49ers and the substation and the electromagnetic, you know, the injuries and all that? I don't know if that like travels down. >> They're popping up these things all over the place now. You know, all the electronics, the data setters, all that. So, you know, I Hey, I don't know if you could play any any, you know, anything into that, but who knows? Who knows? >> Yeah. Yeah. And you talk about your commanders, offensive line hits, Larry Tunel as well as being one of those. Um, and then time shares. Uh, I want to talk about the commanders as well. We talked about the Chargers, Jakori Crosky, Merritt >> and Rashad Whites. There's a lot of a little bit of confusion what's going to happen there. >> In your opinion, what you've been hearing, what do you feel like is going to happen? >> I think you just look at the history of what that backfield's been. Um, that's kind of one of the most unique backfields I was in with coach Lynn as that running back coach. He likes to rotate guys. He's going to see, hey, this is what you're good at and this is where I'm going to put you in the game. That's what he showed for the past two years. That's why we had like three running backs rotating for the past few years. from a fantasy perspective, that's not great, but you know what you're going to get from certain guys. So, you can kind of use it to your advantage and see if you you want to put stock into that guy. Like for instance, we had Brian Robinson when he was there. He's going to get all the goal line work. Like he was anything inside the five, he's probably in the game. And so, you knew, hey, this guy's got touchdown potential, you know, so he's I'm sure he's going to have one of those guys again this year. Who is that going to be Rashad? Is that going to be Bill? I'm not sure. U but you know, one of those guys going to get the the goal line work and it might not show right away. So, if there's a waiver opportunity or trade opportunity that you're looking for, um, might play itself out further in the season, but I think that's going to be a committee. I know, um, they also have, uh, Jeremy McNichols as well, who's a third down guy over there, so it's going to be it's going to be a committee. >> Yeah, Kron Island, there's there's a bunch of guys. So, you are coming from an NFL perspective with the NFL background, but also a fantasy perspective. I know that we're here at the Draft Nation event here in Las Vegas uh promoting that, but I'm just curious with players and my interactions with them. A lot of them are not really fond with the fantasy football community. You love it. Where's Where's the connect? You know what's really loud on Instagram or social media? Hate. Hate is really loud. You can you might scroll through a 10,000 emails or whatever comments and you see one that says you suck. I hate you. That's the one that's going to stick in your mind. And so when you have this toxic environment, a environment that has some toxicity in it, I should say it's not a toxic environment at all. It's actually the opposite. But when you have a few individuals that are keyboard warriors in your comments, in your DMs, that sticks with you and you're like, who are these people? Screw these people. Um, and so unfortunately that's that speaks louder than, you know, the compliments and things like that. So if you play into that, it can be really really negative against your your uh mindset against the actual game. So I think that's where a lot of people come from. It's like they just they don't give a damn. They don't care because I get all these randos in my in my comments and DMs. Like I still have people in my comments and DMs like, "Hey, you stole me 50 bucks from when you lost me." Like, you know, like stuff. Like come on, bro. Um, I see through it. I see the good. I see the community building of it and that's what intrigues me about fantasy football and that's why I'm into it as much as I am is because I love that it brings people together and I also love from a selfish reason that it takes off the logos off of our our names. People don't care what team I play for. People care if I play well or not. You know, I have most people that come up to me, they don't say, "Hey, I'm a Chargers fan. Hey, I'm a Commander fan." A few do, but most people are like, "Hey, I had you on fantasy." Or, "Hey, I bet on you and you won me some money." And so that I appreciate that part of it. >> I love that. And so when you talk about the DMs and the the negative comments that you get, >> thousands of them. Thousands. >> The game that's been the loudest, like what? >> It's the sports betterers. >> It's the sports betterers. And there's no like one particular game I can point to. It's every game cuz either I didn't hit the parlay or I didn't get a a prop or I I maybe I did. I get a lot of people like, "Hey, you crushed it for me this week." But it's always the people that are I feel like the parlay people or the people that have money on for like a prop or something because money's on the line. I need you right now, this week, right here. And if I don't hit it, I'm emotional immediately and I got to go tell them about it. You know, that's what that's what happens. >> Hey, I mean, we talked about it when we were filming yours. Like, just go with the under. If you're doing really well and you're projected 150 total yards, just come on. >> And here's the thing. I feel like if you if you win, >> I feel like you're not as you're not as u incentivized to go and actually take action. But when you're mad, like that pushes people to do things and they're like, "I'm gonna go DM him and tell him how I feel," you know, as opposed to like when you win. I have a lot more I lost on you than I won on you, but I know I won a lot of people money out there. So, uh, or Vegas just got really good with their lines and so it's like, >> yeah, no, there's also on the flip flip side, uh, some games that are positive. One of the favorite games, one of my favorite games of yours was, I think it was 2019 against the Jaguars, >> uh, where you had 12 touches >> and you had 100 yards rushing and 100 yards receiving. >> I have a funny story from that game. >> Two, two funny stories from that game. Actually, one of my favorite Philip Rivers clips comes from that game. Um, there's a clip of him, if you ever have seen him yelling 90 yard touchdown, right in someone's ear. And the the defender's like, "You don't got to say in my ear." And he's like, "I will say it in your ear." And then the ref tells him to f off and pushes him away. >> I didn't know it was from that game. That's >> Yeah, that was from that game. And so that was my touchdown. That was my 90 yard touchdown. That's how I ended up getting 100. And then um at the end of the game, I was like seven yards away from 100 yards receiving. I already had 100 yards rushing that game. And uh Coach Lynn, my head coach at the time's like, "Hey, Austin, you need seven yards to get 100 and 100. You're going back in the game." We're we're smoking these guys. And so I go back in the game and the Jaguars defender is like, "Why are you back in the game?" Like they recognizes it. They're like, "I need seven more yards for like, oh, that's some [ __ ] That's They were pissed pissed that I came back just to get a stat." It kind of reminds me of uh Mike Evans has been injured the past couple of years and uh there was one game in 2024, I think it was the week 18 finale against the Saints, I believe, where fourth quarter Buccaneers already won. they could just kneel it 20 seconds left, but they put Mike back out there and he just runs a four yard route and just catches the ball to get over a thousand yards. So, I didn't I mean, I know coaches kind of care about that. Sometimes they don't. >> It depends on who you got, man. It really does. Uh, but they look football obviously were about winning Super Bowls, things like that, but there's some small wins in there that if you can get for your guys, I appreciate the coaches that are like, "Hey, go get this stat, you know, like I was sad, but I mean, it is what it is." is that's their situation where Saquon where like he could have broke the record, you know, but they sat him out. They end up winning a Super Bowl, so it was worth it. Um, but I'm like, man, that would have been a cool cool feat to to be able to witness. >> I guess in Saquin's mind, he's kind of like unselfish. He's like, no, you know, I'm okay. I'm sure that Nick Serriani offered >> still had a great right two over 2,000 yards rushing. So, I mean, there's nothing to be sad about, you know, but that opportunity to break that record again might not ever give your give or show up again, you know. >> Yeah, it may not. but he may go back to closer to that 2024 uh form this season. Um, but we are here in Las Vegas, your home, and uh promoting the Draft Nation event that you're a part of, going around and and and talking with different media members and and drafting with a lot of people that uh a lot of fans of yours that have drafted you in the past. Um, you're also here to promote some stuff of yours. So, Fantasy Royale, I want to know a little bit more about that. So, please share. >> So, I get a lot of invitations to people's leagues. I could never join all these leagues. And so I was like, okay, what is something I can do that's interactive that has me involved? And so I decided to create a nationwide league that everyone can join. Unlimited people can join. Um, so it's fantasy royal sports. What it is is a national uh fantasy league. Um, it's not traditional fantasy uh fantasy football. It's fantasy sports. So different types of contests that you get points that go towards your score. And so we have a ton of prizes. We have leaderboards for each city, each fan base, the nation, the state. So you'll see where you are in your kind of category. You know, if you're if you're a Bears fan, you'll see how good you are against all the other Bears fans out there. So it's a way to see who's the best in the nation in different subcategories out there. So it's a way we can all come together, place in fantasy. We got some cool prizes. Um I know for like for the whoever's the best in the nation. Um I have two signed game jerseys, one for my commanders uh career, one for my Chargers career, and then we have like $1,400 in signed memorabilia. Um one of my favorite prizes actually though is a free year supply of meat. like from good ranchers. >> Pause. >> Big pause. But steaks, burgers, you know, chicken. A year supply. It's like $3,000 worth of protein. Um like so stuff like that. We have great prizes, great competition. It's going to be fun. >> I love that. No, in the fantasy community, you know, I feel like everybody's competing against each other. I'm smarter than you. Yeah. But you >> are you really? It's time. And here's the thing. You always compete in your little your little pocket. You got like eight people you're better and you think you're amazing. Well, let's actually find out. Someone is the best out there at all this stuff. And yeah, it's it's kind of like poker. There's a little bit of luck, a little bit of skill, but that's the fun in it cuz you have a chance every year you feel like cuz hey, maybe this is my year. I can put my knowledge and a little bit of luck and maybe go make a run. >> I love that. No, I'll definitely be signing up for that cuz it's free, right? >> It's free to play. >> I want to take we got to take down the barriers cuz a lot of these like professional fantasy leagues are like high stakes. Like you got to have there's a barrier of entry is money. So I'm like, let's take that out of here cuz we want more people to join. the more people we have joining, the more legit it is as far as how good you are, you know? So, we want to we want to have a full com competition this year. Here's the thing, too. Like, think of like video games. I kind of thought of this. I'm going on a little tangent here. So, >> go for it. >> Think of like video games. You pay for it one time. You get in and then typically you don't pay again. I know there's like some other like microtransaction stuff, but typically you still have fun playing the game without having to pay again. Gambling and sports betting is like you keep paying, keep it's the money is like the rush. So it's like why why can't we have a more gamified version that hey I can play fantasy and still get that rush. That's kind of what fantasy football is. It's a onetime payment and playing. So definitely know I have people that have probably come up to me and have probably lost money on me or maybe even sent me some weird DMs but they come up to me it's like a whole different energy. It's like oh Austin. Hi. I see you. And so I know I'm getting maybe some but again it gets me in a good mood. I I'll answer your questions, sign your hat for you, you know. So >> yeah. Exactly. And then you got to have thick skin. I mean you have probably the thickest skin out of all the places. >> You have to you got to have thick skin. It comes with the nature, right? If you want to be in a in a industry that you're going to have some popularity, you're going to get you're going to get roasted. You're going to have bad games. You're going to have, you know, all the praise. You're going to have all that. So, you got to be ready for it. >> Oh, absolutely. >> I always say I tell my wife, "Hey, it sucks to suck." So, if you suck, you're going to hear about it. You're going to feel it. It's going to be a lot of pressure. It's going to even worse. So, just don't suck. You'll be all right. >> Yeah. To be a professional athlete online, that's why a lot of people are disconnected from especially Twitter. Oh gosh, so many >> reading the comments is hilarious. Like, I'm a human, too. I love that stuff. like like there'll be someone you some post you immediately go to the comments, oh my god, what are people saying about this, you know? So, I think that's what social media has turned into is just kind of this like unhinged environment where people can just let loose. There's no repercussions and it's funny. Sometimes it's like dark humor, but a lot of it's still funny. >> I mean this in the nicest way possible. Hopefully, you continue to get those kind of comments because that means that you'll continue your career. You'll keep on playing. Absolutely. So, what's what's the status on that? Yeah, at this point in my career, look, I'm 31, coming off an Achilles tear. For me, I'm looking for the opportunity that fits me best if it comes. Um, well, I'm being patient. There's I'm not rushing into anything. I think at this point, you know, I'm almost like in a almost like a a mercenary, you know, where it's like, okay, what's the situation? Do I want to go fight for that cause? Ah, maybe not that one. Let me let me wait a little bit long cuz I'm not in a rush. U for me, that's that's the point of my career and where my mental state is at right now. Well, hopefully uh things work out and you know whether it be in the NFL, whether it be in other future endeavors, you definitely got a future in broadcasting. >> I appreciate that. Appreciate that. You're very media friendly. Like you were very good on camera. Um and then one last thing, I am doing um a mock draft. I don't want to actually do a real draft with this, but a 12 team half PPR league on sleeper. What I'm doing is everybody that I'm interviewing, I'm making them select one person. So I'm going to be drafting from the 101. >> Okay? and I'm going to give you the 101 and then someone else is going to have the second round pick and someone else is going to have the third. So, >> pretty easy. Nobody's been taken. >> You don't have to take anyone, right? We are going boom. We went with CMAC CMC. Christian McCaffrey is locked in on the 101 half PPR. We're going for home runs. Hear me out. There's not one team that uses a running back like San Francisco does Christian McAffrey. Not one. I get it. There's great players out there. Saquin, great player. Bejian, great player. Same with um with Gibbs, great players. Chris McAffrey is heavily involved in the passing game regardless of who else is out in the receiver position. He's going to be catching checkdowns. He's going to be catching options. He's going to be catching screens. They're going to run him into the ground like they did last year again. Yeah. 450 touches. He's going to get another 400 this year if he stays healthy. Home run league winner. You're welcome. >> Oh my goodness. Surprise of the century right here. The thing is and half PPR like I mean we're just gobbling up we're gobbling up reception points here, right? I mean like here >> again but yeah >> gobbling them up. There it is. >> No, we'll just gobble them. We'll stay in our ground. >> We'll stay in our ground on that. Chris McAffrey. Okay. Well, make sure you guys get >> Caitlin Black or Jordan. Um >> Gibbs. Okay, cool. That's fine. That's fine. Look, we're going we're going for we're going for home runs. That's that's what I'm said. >> Well, shoot. All right. Well, hey, Austin, I appreciate the time. >> Yes, absolutely. >> Thank you so much, man. Heck >> yeah. It was a pleasure.