Austin Ekeler
28-Year-Old
2023 Rush/Rec Stats
ATT
179
YDS
628
TD
5
YDS
436
TD
1
2024 Projections
2024 Fantasy Outlook
Perhaps Ekeler has lost a step, but it's difficult to tell strictly from 2023. Badly as Ekeler's numbers declined, regression would have been predictable if one knew ahead of time that Ekeler would suffer a high-ankle sprain early in the year and that QB Justin Herbert would miss four games and play many of the others with a broken finger on his throwing hand. The Chargers offense collapsed, and it fell hard on Ekeler in particular. Now in Washington on a two-year, $8.4 million contract, Ekeler should have better circumstances in 2024, though it's not clear to what degree. Not just that, but Ekeler is 29 years old now, so even if physical decline wasn't one of the main causes of his 2023 struggles it could still happen any time now. He should stay a little more spry with Brian Robinson and Chris Rodriguez taking most of the power-rushing workload in Washington under new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, perhaps opening the door for Ekeler to recapture some of his magic as a pass catcher for rookie QB Jayden Daniels. The days of fantasy dominance are likely gone, with Ekeler not even assured of getting goal-line carries despite his established TD-scoring prowess. Read Past Outlooks
RANKS
Headed to Washington
Ekeler agreed to a two-year contract with the Commanders on Monday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
The deal reportedly is worth up to $11.43 million, but with only $4.82 million guaranteed in the first season and a significant portion being based in incentives. Ekeler turns 29 years old in May and is coming off a 2023 campaign in which he experienced a massive downturn from his 2021 and 2022 production while dealing with a high-ankle sprain and poor blocking. Even if he can't recapture his peak form, Ekeler should be useful as a passing-down back given that he has 3,884 career receiving yards and 30 receiving touchdowns. The Commanders likely envision Ekeler and Brian Robinson sharing backfield snaps, though it might look quite a bit different than Robinson's split with Antonio Gibson in 2023. Gibson has moved on to New England in free agency, while the Commanders have a new offensive coordinator (Kliff Kingsbury) and are widely expected to pursue a new quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The deal reportedly is worth up to $11.43 million, but with only $4.82 million guaranteed in the first season and a significant portion being based in incentives. Ekeler turns 29 years old in May and is coming off a 2023 campaign in which he experienced a massive downturn from his 2021 and 2022 production while dealing with a high-ankle sprain and poor blocking. Even if he can't recapture his peak form, Ekeler should be useful as a passing-down back given that he has 3,884 career receiving yards and 30 receiving touchdowns. The Commanders likely envision Ekeler and Brian Robinson sharing backfield snaps, though it might look quite a bit different than Robinson's split with Antonio Gibson in 2023. Gibson has moved on to New England in free agency, while the Commanders have a new offensive coordinator (Kliff Kingsbury) and are widely expected to pursue a new quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
NFL Stats
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Fantasy/Red Zone Stats
See red zone opportunities inside the 20, 10 and 5-yard lines along with the percentage of time they converted the opportunity into a touchdown.
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Advanced NFL Stats
How do Austin Ekeler's 2023 advanced stats compare to other running backs?
This section compares his advanced stats with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank.
The longer the bar, the better it is for the player.
Broken Tackle %
10.6%Positive Run %
83.2%% Yds After Contact
66.1%Avg Yds After Contact
2.3Rushing TD %
2.8%Touches Per Game
16.4% Snaps w/Touch
38.0%Air Yards Per Game
-4.6Air Yards Per Snap
-0.11% Team Air Yards
-1.4%% Team Targets
12.0%Avg Depth of Target
-0.9 YdsCatch Rate
68.9%Drop Rate
6.8%Avg Yds After Catch
10.2% Targeted On Route
21.3%Avg Yds Per Route Run
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2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2023 NFL Game Log
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Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
Snap Counts
Snap %
Receiving Alignment Breakdown
See where Austin Ekeler lined up on the field and how he performed at each spot.
Detailed
Grouped
Side
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2023 Austin Ekeler Split Stats
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Expected to reach free agency
Ekeler likely won't have the franchise tag placed on him by the Chargers, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
All of Derrick Henry, Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, Tony Pollard and Ekeler are expected to reach free agency rather than get tagged by their current teams, creating a situation that should suppress salaries at the position once again. Ekeler could be the biggest loser of the lot on the open market, as the 28-year-old is coming off a very disappointing season that saw him average only 3.5 yards per carry and miss a few games early in the season with an ankle injury he might not ever have fully recovered from, as his only 100-yard rushing performance of the season came in Week 1.
All of Derrick Henry, Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, Tony Pollard and Ekeler are expected to reach free agency rather than get tagged by their current teams, creating a situation that should suppress salaries at the position once again. Ekeler could be the biggest loser of the lot on the open market, as the 28-year-old is coming off a very disappointing season that saw him average only 3.5 yards per carry and miss a few games early in the season with an ankle injury he might not ever have fully recovered from, as his only 100-yard rushing performance of the season came in Week 1.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
Ekeler is back in Los Angeles for at least one more year despite requesting a trade in March, ultimately accepting an amended contract (more incentives) shortly after his 28th birthday in May. It may not be what he wants or deserves in terms of pay, but he's at least well positioned to pile up numbers again with the help of Justin Herbert, who douses his running back in targets. Ekeler is among the two or three best pass catchers at his position, and he's proven as an efficient, medium-volume runner now that he's coming off back-to-back seasons with least 4.4 YPC on slightly more than 200 carries. He's also coming off back-to-back seasons leading the league in touchdowns, with his combination of tough, clever running (25 rush TDs) and quick, precise route-running (13 receiving TDs) making the 200-pounder one of the best red-zone weapons in the league. It does seem the Chargers hope to use Ekeler a bit less this year, at least in the passing game, with OC Kellen Moore and rookie wideout Quentin Johnston brought in to help Herbert stretch the field. On the other hand, Ekeler caught at least 4.4 passes per game each of the past four seasons, and the Chargers still don't have good backfield depth or any reason to turn away from their star RB near the goal.
More Fantasy News
Not getting tag
The Chargers don't plan to give Ekeler a franchise tag, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
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Disappointing close to season
Ekeler rushed the ball 10 times for 11 yards in Sunday's 13-12 loss to the Chiefs. He added seven receptions on eight targets for 38 yards.
ANALYSIS
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Totals 50 yards in loss
Ekeler rushed 13 times for 46 yards and caught his only target for four yards in Sunday's 16-9 loss to the Broncos.
ANALYSIS
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Lead role resumes under new HC
Ekeler rushed 15 times for 63 yards and caught three of four targets for 21 yards in Saturday's 24-22 loss to the Bills.
ANALYSIS
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Major role reduction in loss
Ekeler rushed five times for nine yards and brought in four of six targets for 29 yards in the Chargers' 63-21 loss to the Raiders on Thursday night.
ANALYSIS
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