Latest news with #Ekeler
USA Today
10-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Fantasy football: Commanders' Austin Ekeler named top value pick
NFL training camps are inching closer, which means that fantasy football gurus are gearing up for the start of the season. Projections will be made, and player rankings will adjust as the season draws closer, and by the time fantasy drafts are taking place, we will have an idea of what to expect from each player this fall. The best fantasy football managers understand one thing above all else: average draft position (ADP). This is the metric that Pro Football Network used to determine the top value fantasy player on every NFL team. Meaning, the player you can get later in the draft who is going to perform well for you. For the Washington Commanders, their choice is unsurprising. Washington Commanders: Austin Ekeler, RBOn the one hand, Austin Ekeler's RB53 ADP makes some sense. He's 30 years old and dealt with multiple injuries last season. He's not his team's RB1, and there's no real upside here for him to be a difference-maker. On the other hand, is Ekeler not a lock to outperform his ADP? He's nothing more than a role player at this point in his career, but receiving ability tends to age very well. Ekeler still managed to earn a 12% target share last season, 11th in the NFL. He averaged 11.0 ppg, which, while a career low excluding his rookie year, was still suitable for an RB29 finish. Who wouldn't sign for a top-30 running back from a guy being drafted outside the top 50? Fantasy managers seem to have some excitement about Jacory Croskey-Merritt. But…why? He's a seventh-round rookie — one of the last picks in the entire NFL Draft. He wasn't even invited to the NFL Combine. Brian Robinson Jr. is locked in as the RB1, and Ekeler will reprise his supporting role as a backup. Beyond that, the Washington Commanders have Jeremy McNichols, Chris Rodriguez Jr., and Croskey-Merritt, who is not guaranteed a spot on the team. Ekeler may not have a high ceiling, but if his price stays where it is, he should be on all of your rosters. Because he battled injuries the last two years, Ekeler will be highly underestimated in 2025. People forget how dynamic he was with the Los Angeles Chargers because he had a setback. Setbacks don't mean gone forever; it just means he had to slow down and regroup, which is what he's been doing this offseason. Ekeler will absolutely get his touches when he's on the field this fall, and while he may not produce like Saquon Barkley, he will do enough each week to earn a weekly spot on your fantasy roster.
Newsweek
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Commanders Veteran Confident in Jayden Daniels' Continued Growth
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Following a shocking run that landed them in the NFC Championship game last season, the Washington Commanders will have a lot of eyes on them in 2025. Ahead of training camp, one veteran uttered a strong vote of confidence for a key member of the franchise. The Commanders' success would not have been possible if not for the stellar play of quarterback Jayden Daniels. Fresh off being drafted No. 2 overall, he took the league by storm and cemented himself as one of the game's top young talents. Daniels proved he is capable of being a pillar for Washington moving forward, helping the team pull off multiple upsets in his first taste of the postseason. Heading into year two, Daniels will now attempt to avoid a 'sophomore slump' for the Commanders. Coming off such a strong rookie campaign, the bar is set high for him and Washington in 2025. Outside noise aside, one of his teammates expects Daniels to maintain on his path towards stardom. PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 14: Austin Ekeler #30 of the Washington Commanders lines up before the snap during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 14, 2024 in... PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 14: Austin Ekeler #30 of the Washington Commanders lines up before the snap during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 14, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. More Also read: Commanders Owner Pays Steep Investment in Jayden Daniels During a recent interview, veteran running back Austin Ekeler opened up on Daniels' growth in minicamp and how he expects that to continue throughout the 2025 season: "I think there's even going to be more growth this year, which is awesome because of where we are at with our team and have a lot of players back," Ekeler said, according to "What I see for him going into this year, we have the same offensive coordinator and so bringing that into the mix has now made it, so, now when we go through OTAs, Jayden is already on it. He's beyond kind of the rookie mistakes and learning the playbook, getting a play called out slow. He's getting people lined up. We got new guys coming in and he's like, 'Deebo you are not over here, you're on that side.' When you start to see him kind of orchestrating out there, you could tell that there's that growth." Also read: Steelers Named Potential Suitor For Disgruntled Commanders Star Following a seven-year run with the LA Chargers, Ekeler joined the Commanders ahead of the 2024 season. His production in Washington took a slight dip, largely due to the fact that he only appeared in 12 games. Ekeler finished the season with just 367 rushing yards and four touchdowns. As a RB capable of being a threat in the running and passing game, Ekeler will attempt to be a dynamic piece who helps elevate Daniels in year two. For more Washington Commanders and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
Newsweek
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Terry McLaurin's Teammate Has Direct Message For Washington Commanders
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Last season, the Washington Commanders were one of the most shocking stories of the NFL. While there was a lot of excitement surrounding the team due to its rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels bringing a ton of hype, the Commanders weren't seen as championship contenders just yet. The former second-overall pick emerged as one of the top quarterbacks in the game, elevating all of the talent around him and helping the Commanders find major success for the first time in a long time. With last year's success comes higher expectations for the 2025 NFL season. In the eyes of the veteran running back Austin Ekeler, the Commanders are built to look like a "powerhouse." "I think there's even going to be more growth this year," Ekeler said during an appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio, according to Pro Football Talk. "[It's] awesome because of where we're at with our team and have a lot of players back. A lot of playmakers." One thing that Ekeler notes is that the Commanders have to take care of their top wide receiver, Terry McLaurin. Throughout the team's spring sessions, McLaurin skipped out as he's in search of a new contract from the organization. McLaurin is slated to make $15.5 million this year. Next season, he's set to hit the open market, but the veteran isn't interested in waiting until next year to land a new deal. He wants it now, and he wants it from the Washington Commanders. Throughout the offseason, core members of the Commanders' organization have expressed confidence in the team eventually locking in a new deal with McLaurin. Ekeler seems to be in that boat, as he counts McLaurin in for next year's run, while evaluating a potential improved season for the Commanders. Terry McLaurin #17 of the Washington Commanders celebrates after an NFL football wild card playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on January 12, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. Terry McLaurin #17 of the Washington Commanders celebrates after an NFL football wild card playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on January 12, 2025 in Tampa, Florida."Gotta get Terry paid and then, man, we're gonna look like a powerhouse out there," the running back finished. At 29 years old, McLaurin remains one of the most consistent wide receivers in the game. Since he posted 919 yards during his rookie season in 2019, McLaurin has exceeded 1,000 yards every year since. Six years in, McLaurin has 6,379 yards and 86 touchdowns on his resume. He's a two-time Pro Bowler and a Second-Team All-Pro. As for Ekeler, he's heading into year two with the Commanders. Last season, the veteran running back played in 12 games. He picked up 77 carries and totaled 367 yards on the ground. He finished the year with four touchdowns in the running game. In the air, Ekeler caught 35 passes for 366 yards. For more Washington Commanders and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Commanders Given Surprisingly Low RB Grade
Commanders Given Surprisingly Low RB Grade originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Is it fair to say that the Washington Commanders' running back room has been disrespected this offseason? The latest rankings from Pro Football Focus writer Dalton Wasserman don't do them any favors. Advertisement As part of a series ranking each position group across the league, Wasserman ranked Washington's running back unit as the 14th-best room in the league. "The Commanders don't have a singular star in their running back room, but they do have a considerable amount of depth," Wasserman said. "Brian Robinson Jr. has proven reliable and led the unit with 928 rushing yards last season, including the playoffs. Austin Ekeler rebounded from a tough 2023 to earn a 69.8 PFF overall grade." To say this grade is disrespectful to the Commanders would be an understatement. Ekeler and Robinson were an excellent duo last season. While neither rushed for over 1,000 yards, they pose a real challenge for opposing defenses. Last season, the two combined for over 1,600 yards from scrimmage. They aren't that far back from the Buffalo Bills' duo of James Cook and Ray Davis. Advertisement Was that enough to bump the Commanders all the way down to 14th? Not really. Ekeler and Robinson are two totally different running backs. Robinson is more of a power runner who can be an important red-zone threat. Ekeler, meanwhile, is one of the better receiving backs in the league. Together, they make a very strong tandem. It's far greater than just the 14th-best running back room in the league right now, at least. Related: Commanders' 2nd-Round Pick Earns Offseason Rookie Honor Related: NFL Legend Adrian Peterson Poker Game Fight Video Going Viral This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
NBC Sports
25-06-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Austin Ekeler: I see more growth from Jayden Daniels, we can be powerhouse offense
Running back Austin Ekeler joined the Commanders last season, but he wasn't the new addition that jumped off the screen when watching Washington games. Quarterback Jayden Daniels took those honors on his way to winning offensive rookie of the year and jolting life into a team that had not won a playoff game in nearly 20 years. They won two of them last season before losing to the Eagles in the NFC Championship Game and that success raises the bar heading into 2025. During an appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Ekeler said that Daniels 'definitely exceeded expectations' for a rookie because of how much is involved with learning both a new offense and how to play against professional opponents. Ekeler believes Daniels will play faster mentally with a year under his belt and that sets the stage for another step forward in Washington. 'I think there's even going to be more growth this year, which is awesome because of where we're at with our team and have a lot of players back. A lot of playmakers, gotta get Terry [McLaurin] paid and then, man, we're gonna look like a powerhouse out there,' Ekeler said. The McLaurin contract impasse has the potential to disrupt the team's preparations for the 2025 season, so settling that would be a good way to ensure that the team avoids any backward steps after their unexpected rise last year.
