Commanders' Austin Ekeler aims to reclaim role as top fantasy running back

Upon taking his talents to Washington D.C., Austin Ekeler is looking to reclaim his role as one of fantasy football’s top producers in 2024.

During an appearance on Wednesday’s edition of The Insiders, the new Commanders running back wanted to clear up past quotes on his reasoning behind leaving the Chargers and went on to explain why he believes Washington is an ideal place for him to flourish once again.

“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. That is when I’ve been the most productive, down in the red zone, right out in the field, when I can have both those type of environments. And now, with Brian Robinson being in the backfield also, my old head coach, Anthony Lynn, where I first got my start and first started finding success, is also my running backs coach and is going to utilize us probably in that same type of way, is what it’s looking like. So, I’m going to go right back to my roots of when I continue to have success and continue to build on that in the way that fits Austin Ekeler the most.”

The journey of Ekeler from an overlooked rookie in 2017 to a consistent top choice in fantasy drafts is one of the NFL’s most captivating narratives. Standing at 5-foot-10 and weighing 200 pounds, this muscular powerhouse runs as though every play could be his last. Such determination makes him a nightmare for rival defenders to tackle, and a perfect threat in the red-zone, capable of scoring either by running or receiving.

According to NFL Research, Ekeler has led the league with 44 scrimmage touchdowns (30 rushing, 14 receiving) since 2021. However, after a less than impressive year in 2023 —where he only had 1,064 scrimmage yards and six scrimmage touchdowns, his lowest since 2020— the Chargers felt at ease letting the 29-year-old go as they enter a new phase under Jim Harbaugh.

Ekeler’s confidence going into his eighth NFL season isn’t being affected by a new team and system. This raises the question: Should Ekeler be a first-round pick for fantasy owners this year?

“Yes,” he responded to Pelissero’s question. “Here’s another perspective: In the realm of fantasy football, one’s performance is often evaluated based on the most recent season. However, considering consistency, when I have been fit – yes, I missed about four games last year due to a high ankle sprain, and then sprained my other ankle upon returning – but whenever Austin Ekeler has been fit and playing, he has consistently performed. The same will hold true moving forward. If I am fit, I will be on the field and I will perform. You’ve seen the level of my performance, so you’d want me on your team.”

The Commanders have struggled offensively in recent years and are set to trot out a different Week 1 starting quarterback for the eighth straight season in 2024. It’s assumed Jayden Daniels, the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s draft, will be up to that task as a rookie. The LSU product led all QBs with 1,134 rushing yards during his Heisman-winning campaign, and is already generating the type of excitement reminiscent of Robert Griffin III’s arrival in Washington in 2012.

Having participated in Washington’s offseason program, Ekeler is impressed with Daniels’ early performance both on and off the field.

“Without a doubt, he’s a real pro on the field,” Ekeler commented. “I admire his early display of leadership. He’s been proactive in communication, texting me about routes and giving me feedback in practice. He’ll say, ‘Hey, Ek, this is what we need to do here,’ or ‘What was your perspective on this particular route?'”

He possesses all the qualities I admire in a quarterback, and he has demonstrated them in the first few weeks since we met. I’m excited about his potential growth. Additionally, as you noted, we’ve brought in many veterans to help establish our team culture.

Setting the culture in Washington was a continuous theme brought on by Ekeler during his appearance on the The Insiders, and new Commanders head coach Dan Quinn is playing a major role in that endeavor. Long regarded as a players’ coach, Quinn, who comes over from the rival Cowboys, takes over a Commanders team that hasn’t reached the playoffs since 2020 and has been unable to see a double-digit win season since 2012.

As Washington steps into a new era marked by changes in ownership, front office, coaching staff, and a potential franchise-changing star quarterback, there’s a lot of work ahead. Ekeler is not only focused on reclaiming his role as a versatile weapon in the backfield but also stepping up as a veteran leader. His goal is to guide Washington’s franchise transition in the right direction, advancing one step at a time.

“When asked about the Commanders regaining control of the division, Ekeler stated, “For me, it’s not even about that. It’s not about the NFC East or the Super Bowl. It’s about our current situation in the locker room. I’m not looking that far ahead. My focus is on how we can develop a team culture that unifies us. That’s the stage we’re at right now.”

I’m contemplating how we can transform into the best team possible at this moment, given that we’re new to each other and have a lot of fresh elements. I’m not concerned about last year’s events, as our success in this league is determined by our recent performance. However, that’s all in the past now. We have a fresh opportunity as a team to progress. I won’t make any grand promises about our future plans – my focus is on the present. My attention is directed at the present moment, as it will set the course for our future endeavours. Of course, our goal is to win games, but it’s meaningless unless we seize the current opportunity to establish a strong team culture and promote good sportsmanship. We need to commit to a standard, a culture, and a sense of accountability to make a successful run. Once we’ve accomplished that, we can move on to the next phase.