NFL Free Agency: Austin Ekeler Seeks a Fantasy Comeback With the Commanders

After seven seasons with the Chargers, the all-purpose back signs a two-year deal with Washington.

The top running back in fantasy football in two of the last three seasons, Austin Ekeler has agreed to a two-year contract with the Washington Commanders. According to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero, he can make up to $11.43 million including incentives.

The move coincides with the loss of Antonio Gibson, who is heading to the New England Patriots. Ekeler, who has scored 44 total touchdowns over the last three years, will be an upgrade over Gibson as the pass-catching option for Washington. That won’t make him a potential top-five fantasy back in drafts, but it does guarantee plenty of targets in an offense that could be led by a rookie quarterback.

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Still, fantasy fans will likely be down on Ekeler after a disappointing 2023 campaign that saw him miss several games with an injured ankle. And with Brian Robinson Jr. in the mix, Ekeler’s statistical ceiling does take a hit. That’s going to be baked into his draft value, though, making him a potential bargain in PPR draft formats.

As someone who knows him, Ekeler doesn’t necessarily want to shoulder the entire backfield load. In fact, I think Robinson’s presence could help keep him on the field and fresher as the season wears on. That might not be of comfort to fantasy fans, but I can still see Ekeler pushing for No. 2 running back value in PPR formats.

Speaking of Robinson, his fantasy ceiling also takes a hit. In fact, he’ll go from being a potential No. 2 fantasy back himself to more of a flex option in leagues that reward points for catches. He could (and likely will) also lose some goal-line work to Ekeler, who has been a real touchdown machine, which further hurts B-Rob’s appeal. 

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