One of the most popular plays on DraftKings Sportsbook heading into the first Sunday of the NFL season is Austin Ekeler’s receptions prop. With the line set at 2.5, the over is seeing significant action. The over has -155 odds, while the under is at +120. With the help of Simplebet, we can take a look at some Ekeler stats that help illustrate why this is such a popular play.
Ekeler, of course, is in a different setting than he was last season. New team, rookie QB and a shared backfield. On top of that, it’s a new coaching staff for the rest of the roster — not just Ekeler.
However, so long as Ekeler is healthy, he’s proven to be impactful as part of the pass attack. Last season with the Chargers, he saw 5.2 targets per game on average. Ekeler was able to turn that into an average of 3.6 receptions per game.
That alone is enough to justify the over. Combine that with Jayden Daniels facing a Tampa Bay defense that tied for the fifth-most receptions allowed last season, and Ekeler is in position to get a healthy mix of targets.
First Drive Option
For those looking to see early results in this matchup on Sunday, there’s the First Drive market.
One of the ways to back Ekeler is “Austin Ekeler: Catch a Pass in 1st WAS Commanders Drive,” which carries +155 odds. On top of the Ekeler stats shared above, the running back logged nine receptions across 14 opening drives in his final season with the Chargers.
Place your bets at DraftKings Sportsbook or by downloading the DraftKings Sportsbook app.
The Crown Is Yours: Sign up for DraftKings and experience the ultimate host for games and betting experiences!
All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
All views expressed are my own. I am an employee of DraftKings and am ineligible to play in public DFS or DKSB contests.
