Austin Ekeler's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. led the rushing attack with the first-team on Saturday evening as he totaled 22 yards on three carries. The Alabama product was the lead back on the opening drive of the game but ceded those duties to Austin Ekeler on the second possession with the starters. While Ekeler only saw one target go his way on Saturday and did not have a rushing attempt, he will still have a large role in the Washington offense as he almost split the first-team snap counts with Robinson. Seeing that the Washington starters logged two full possessions, fantasy managers could expect Robinson and Ekeler to alternate drives in the regular season as they did on Saturday evening. However, given Ekeler's ability to succeed as a pass catcher, he could eventually serve as the go-to third down option while Robison handles the early down work. Nonetheless, this may be a difficult running back room to predict for fantasy this season as they may hinder each other's production. If Jayden Daniels can continue to showcase his elite potential, this offense may be able to produce two reliable running backs, even in a potential 50-50 split.

Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler is returning kicks at training camp during Thursday's practice. That's one way for the Commanders to get Ekeler involved besides backfield usage. The 29-year-old receiving back looked like he was running with a piano on his back after missing three games early last year due to an ankle sprain, rushing for just 3.5 yards per carry and producing only 4.6 yards per touch in 14 appearances for the Los Angeles Chargers. Even so, Ekeler still ranked sixth among qualifiers at his position in yards per catch (8.5) over 52 receptions and 10th in yards per route run (1.55) across 282 routes in 2023, so Washington is going to try and get the ball in his hands in space. He's a wild card for 2024 as an RB3/flex gamble in the double-digit rounds of fantasy drafts this summer, one that is best suited for PPR settings alongside early-down back Brian Robinson Jr.

Washington Commanders running backs Austin Ekeler and Brian Robinson Jr. are both listed as starters on the team's initial preseason depth chart. There's not much of a surprise here, as the Commanders will likely ride one back or the other based on game scripts this fall. Robinson projects as Washington's early-down and goal-line back with plenty of touchdown upside after finding the end zone nine times in 15 games last year, whereas Ekeler is set to be utilized mostly on third downs and in obvious passing situations after tallying 74 targets with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2023. There's a real chance this ends up being an even split for touches amongst the two, with Robinson being the preferred option in standard fantasy leagues, and Ekeler the priority in PPR formats.

Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler was an elite fantasy football producer for a few of his seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers, but last year was disappointing for the veteran and fantasy managers. Ekeler posted 179 attempts for 628 yards and five touchdowns and caught 51 passes for 436 yards and one touchdown en route to an RB26 finish in PPR leagues. He was selected as a top-three running back in PPR formats, so it was far from ideal. However, the former undrafted free agent is confident he will bounce back in 2024. "You're going to get the best version of myself always, no matter what," Ekeler told NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero. "There's been this controversy out there, like, 'Oh Austin said he doesn't want 300 carries, 'cause that's what the Chargers said.' I've never had that many carries ever. So, I don't know why everybody's in an uproar. It's not that I don't want to touch the ball. It's the way that I've had the most production is when I'm able to split between catching and running the ball. If I'm healthy, I'm going to be on the field and I'm going to be producing." The 29-year-old is slated to share the backfield with Brian Robinson this season, but as long as he maintains the clear pass-catching role out of the backfield, he should be a weekly flex option in PPR and half-PPR setups. He is usually available after the top 25 running backs are selected.

Veteran free-agent running back Austin Ekeler is signing with the Washington Commanders on Monday on a two-year deal worth up to $11.43 million, according to sources. Ekeler is headed to the East coast after seven seasons and 69 total touchdowns with the Los Angeles Chargers. The 28-year-old was extremely productive in his time with the Bolts, but he's coming off one of his worst statistical seasons in 2023 and is now heading to a Commanders backfield where he'll be expected to split the workload with Brian Robinson. On a side note, former Commanders RB Antonio Gibson agreed to join the New England Patriots. Gone are the days of Ekeler being a no-doubt RB1 for fantasy managers, although he still has the talent to be a highly productive RB3/flex option, especially in PPR leagues. In addition, the Commanders' signing of Ekeler is going to be bad news for B-Rob's fantasy ceiling.