Sad News: Approximately one minute ago, Dan Quinn dies in a car crash.
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.”
Ekeler going from an undrafted rookie in 2017 to becoming a perennial top pick in fantasy drafts is one of the more endearing stories in the NFL. The 5-foot-10, 200-pound ball of muscle runs as if his job is on the line on every play. That type of drive makes him a headache for opposing defenders to bring down, and an ideal red-zone weapon who can find pay dirt both on the ground and through the air.
Since 2021, Ekeler leads the league with 44 scrimmage touchdowns (30 rushing, 14 receiving), according to NFL Research. But coming off a subpar year by his standard — 1,064 scrimmage yards, six scrimmage TDs in 2023 (both fewest since 2020) — the Chargers were comfortable with letting the 29-year-old walk as Los Angeles enters a new era under Jim Harbaugh.
A new team and system isn’t hindering Ekeler’s confidence entering his eighth NFL season, though. And it begs the question: Should fantasy owners be looking to select Ekeler in the first round this year?
“Yes,” he answered when asked by Pelissero. “Let me ask you this: I guess it’s little tough because in the fantasy world you’re judged off your last season, but as far is consistency, when I’ve been healthy — yes, last year I missed like four games (with) high ankle sprain, come back sprain my other ankle — but when Austin Ekeler has been healthy on the field, he has produced. And so that’s the same thing going forward here. If I’m healthy, I’m going to be on the field and I’m going to be producing. You’ve seen what it looks like when I produce, so you’re going to want me on your team.”
