Where are we valuing Ekeler right now? 12 team ppr, start 1-3 rb
Woke up today to someone trying to trade him to me for both 6 and 8.
I consider him a sell. His fantasy production was under 5 points per game as a runner, about 15 as a receiver and both of those numbers dipped when Gordon was available and I expect them to add another RB. I like RB's who are heavily involved in the passing game, but when it's mainly what you do you are basically Tarik Cohen which is not horrible but not worth what people are paying either.
Cohen slumped last year but his 2018 season was not that wildly far from what Cohen's season looked like when Gordon was playing last year.
Cohen in 2018, 6.18 carriers per game, 3.88 fantasy points per game as a rusher. 5.56 targets per game/ 4.43 receptions per game, 10.85 fantasy points per game as a receiver. Total fantasy production 14.73 PPG.
Ekeler after Gordon returned, 6.3 carries per game, 3.3 fantasy points per game as a rusher. 6.91 targets per game/5.66 receptions per game and 13.7 fantasy points per game as a receiver. 17 fantasy points per game in total without Gordon. 2.25 over Cohen's 2018, which is not nothing but similar.
Now if you want to take a pro Ekeler stance you can say well Gordon is likely gone. I'd agree but they also probably add someone. What I think is a far bigger concern for a RB who makes so much of his production in the passing game is unless they sign Brady, which could be a boon for him, we might be looking at a Tyrod keeping seat warm for a rookie and my guess is that rookie is Tua who probably won't play all year or Hebert who is more mobile and not as prone to need to throw short passes as Rivers.
I think Ekeler will be hard pressed to ever have that kind of fantasy production again as a receiver and I don't think he'll ever be a major producer as a runner.
In answer to your question specifically if you need a RB I don't think it's off to pay a first in back quarter, take that up to mid first if they landed someone like Brady(which I don't think they will).