Austin Ekeler

Austin Ekeler

29-Year-Old Running BackRB
Washington Commanders
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
#101.38
ADP
$Signed a two-year, $8.43 million contract with the Commanders in March of 2024.
Leading receiver in loss
RBWashington Commanders
November 14, 2024
Ekeler rushed twice for seven yards and secured eight of nine targets for 89 yards in the Commanders' 26-18 loss to the Eagles on Thursday night. He also returned two kickoffs for 59 yards and committed a fumble recovered by Washington.
ANALYSIS
Ekeler was a non-factor on the ground after back-to-back contests with double-digit rush attempts, as fellow running back Brian Robinson returned from a two-game absence and logged 16 carries. However, Ekeler did finish as the team leader in receptions, receiving yards and targets, with all three figures also serving as season highs. Ekeler is likely to be a bit more involved in the ground attack and remain a key complementary target at minimum during a favorable Week 12 home matchup against the Cowboys on Sunday, Nov. 24.
Read More News
NFL Stats
Loading NFL Stats...
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.
Loading Fantasy/Red Zone Stats...
Advanced NFL Stats
How do Austin Ekeler's 2024 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. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average. The longer the bar, the better it is for the player.
  • Broken Tackle %
    The number of broken tackles divided by rush attempts.
  • Positive Run %
    The percentage of run plays where he was able to gain positive yardage.
  • % Yds After Contact
    The percentage of his rushing yards that came after contact.
  • Avg Yds After Contact
    The average rushing yards he gains after contact.
  • Rushing TD %
    Rushing touchdowns divided by rushing attempts. In other words, how often is he scoring when running the ball.
  • Touches Per Game
    The number of touches (rushing attempts + receptions) he is averaging per game
  • % Snaps w/Touch
    The number of touches (rushing attempts + receptions) divided by offensive snaps played.
  • Air Yards Per Game
    The number of air yards he is averaging per game. Air yards measure how far the ball was thrown downfield for both complete and incomplete passes. Air yards are recorded as a negative value when the pass is targeted behind the line of scrimmage. All air yards data is from Sports Info Solutions and does not include throwaways as targeted passes.
  • Air Yards Per Snap
    The number of air yards he is averaging per offensive snap.
  • % Team Air Yards
    The percentage of the team's total air yards he accounts for.
  • % Team Targets
    The percentage of the team's total targets he accounts for.
  • Avg Depth of Target
    Also known as aDOT, this stat measures the average distance down field he is being targeted at.
  • Catch Rate
    The number of catches made divided by the number of times he was targeted by the quarterback.
  • Drop Rate
    The number of passes he dropped divided by the number of times he was targeted by the quarterback.
  • Avg Yds After Catch
    The number of yards he gains after the catch on his receptions.
  • % Targeted On Route
    Targets divided by total routes run. Also known as TPRR.
  • Avg Yds Per Route Run
    Receiving yards divided by total routes run. Also known as YPRR.
Broken Tackle %
12.3%
 
Positive Run %
83.1%
 
% Yds After Contact
49.5%
 
Avg Yds After Contact
2.5
 
Rushing TD %
6.2%
 
Touches Per Game
9.6
 
% Snaps w/Touch
30.9%
 
Air Yards Per Game
-5.1
 
Air Yards Per Snap
-0.16
 
% Team Air Yards
-2.2%
 
% Team Targets
11.7%
 
Avg Depth of Target
-1.4 Yds
 
Catch Rate
86.1%
 
Drop Rate
5.6%
 
Avg Yds After Catch
12.8
 
% Targeted On Route
20.0%
 
Avg Yds Per Route Run
1.91
 
Loading Advanced NFL Stats...
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2024 NFL Game Log
calculator icon
Calculate Stats Over Time
Just click on any two dates.
Scoring
Standard
PPR
Half PPR
FanDuel
DraftKings
Yahoo DFS
Loading Game Log...
2023 NFL Game Log
calculator icon
Calculate Stats Over Time
Just click on any two dates.
Scoring
Standard
PPR
Half PPR
FanDuel
DraftKings
Yahoo DFS
Loading Game Log...
2022 NFL Game Log
calculator icon
Calculate Stats Over Time
Just click on any two dates.
Scoring
Standard
PPR
Half PPR
FanDuel
DraftKings
Yahoo DFS
Loading Game Log...
2021 NFL Game Log
calculator icon
Calculate Stats Over Time
Just click on any two dates.
Scoring
Standard
PPR
Half PPR
FanDuel
DraftKings
Yahoo DFS
Loading Game Log...
2020 NFL Game Log
calculator icon
Calculate Stats Over Time
Just click on any two dates.
Scoring
Standard
PPR
Half PPR
FanDuel
DraftKings
Yahoo DFS
Loading Game Log...
2019 NFL Game Log
calculator icon
Calculate Stats Over Time
Just click on any two dates.
Scoring
Standard
PPR
Half PPR
FanDuel
DraftKings
Yahoo DFS
Loading Game Log...
2018 NFL Game Log
calculator icon
Calculate Stats Over Time
Just click on any two dates.
Scoring
Standard
PPR
Half PPR
FanDuel
DraftKings
Yahoo DFS
Loading Game Log...
2017 NFL Game Log
calculator icon
Calculate Stats Over Time
Just click on any two dates.
Scoring
Standard
PPR
Half PPR
FanDuel
DraftKings
Yahoo DFS
Loading Game Log...
Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
Snap Counts
Snap %
Washington CommandersCommanders 2024 RB Snap Distribution See more data like this | See last season's snap counts
#% of Team Snaps

31145%
14457%
27240%
6726%
14321%
5622%
243%
249%
Loading Weekly Snap Counts...
Receiving Alignment Breakdown
See where Austin Ekeler lined up on the field and how he performed at each spot.
Detailed
Grouped
Side
Loading Alignment Breakdown...
Loading Alignment Breakdown...
Loading Alignment Breakdown...
Loading Team Alignment Breakdown...
This Week's Opposing Pass Defense
How does the Cowboys pass defense compare to other NFL teams this season?
The bars represents the team's percentile rank (based on QB Rating Against). The longer the bar, the better their pass defense is. The team and position group ratings only include players that are currently on the roster and not on injured reserve. The list of players in the table only includes defenders with at least 3 attempts against them.
DAL
vs Cowboys
Sunday, Nov 24th at 1:00PM
Overall QB Rating Against
85.3
 
Cornerbacks
79.2
 
Safeties
97.7
 
Linebackers
86.8
 
Loading Opponent Pass Defense Stats...
2024 Austin Ekeler Split Stats
Loading NFL Split Stats...
Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Austin Ekeler See More
Weekly Rankings: Week 12 Value Meter
Yesterday
Justin Herbert is poised to be in a shootout with the Ravens on Monday night.
Box Score Breakdown: Week 11 Snaps, Routes, Personnel and Usage
3 days ago
DK Metcalf's return didn't slow down Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who came through huge for both fantasy managers and the Seahawks. RW's Jerry Donabedian has the full scoop from Sunday.
Exploiting the Matchups: Week 11 Start/Sit and Fantasy Streamers
7 days ago
A matchup with the Saints should work out well for multiple Browns, including veteran RB Nick Chubb. Find out who else RW's Jerry Donabedian is starting, sitting and streaming for Week 11...
Beating the Book: Full ATS Picks + Predictions for Every NFL Week 11 Game
7 days ago
Nick Whalen gives out his against-the-spread picks for all 14 games on the NFL Week 11 slate.
Thursday Night Football DFS Breakdown: Commanders vs. Eagles
7 days ago
Mike Barner analyzes the DFS contests for the Thursday matchup. Does Jayden Daniels have the most upside among the QB options?
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.
Ekeler stayed healthy last season after missing six games in 2020, and the result was an ascent to stardom. He finished the year by finding the end zone in eight straight games, and his 20 total touchdowns not only tied Jonathan Taylor for the league lead but also matched Priest Holmes' record for an undrafted running back. Ekeler topped 1,500 scrimmage yards for the second time in his career thanks to a career-best performance on the ground, with Taylor and Najee Harris being the only running backs to pile up more total yards. Ekeler is as shifty as they come, and his elusiveness and agility combined with surprising power make him tough to bring down - a skill set that allowed him to be highly effective on 48 red-zone carries last year (second most in the league) even though he's only 200 pounds. He's also one of the NFL's best pass-catching backs, averaging at least 40 receiving yards per game three years running, and working with QB Justin Herbert will be conducive to continued efficiency through the air. Ekeler should also get a little more help from his offensive line after the Bolts spent a first-round pick on Zion Johnson, and there's room for another huge year even if Sony Michel, Joshua Kelley or Isaiah Spiller spells Ekeler on some early downs.
Last year Ekeler got a chance to prove he could be a bell cow after Melvin Gordon departed for Denver, but instead he may have created more doubt about his small frame holding up under that kind of workload. Lower-body injuries cost him six games, but when he was in the lineup he produced, maintaining good efficiency on the ground with increased volume and still shining as a receiver. Ekeler runs with surprising power and his low pad level makes him tough to bring down, but elusiveness is his best asset, helping to make up for his lack of breakaway speed. Justin Herbert's emergence last year kept defenses from keying on Ekeler, but poor offensive line play prevented him from fully exploiting the emptier fronts he saw. The Chargers brought in a new coaching staff this offseason, and offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi has a lot of experience feeding a dynamic pass-catching back from his time featuring Alvin Kamara for the Saints. With Joshua Kelley, Justin Jackson and sixth-round rookie Larry Rountree representing his backfield alternatives, Lombardi figures to depend on Ekeler, so long as the 26-year-old holds up physically.
Melvin Gordon's holdout last season opened the door for Ekeler to show what he could do in a consistent lead role, and he racked up 490 scrimmage yards and six touchdowns in the first four games before Gordon slunk back on to the roster. Ekeler's usage fell after that, but he still had moments to shine later in the year, including a 213-yard eruption against the Jaguars in Week 14. Heading into his fourth NFL season, the undrafted rookie out of Western State Colorado seems set as the Chargers' new No. 1 back with Gordon now a Bronco, giving Ekeler his chance to dispel the notion - once and for all - that he's only a passing-down specialist. His agility and low pad level have always made him difficult to bring down on first contact, and his broken tackle rate was 14th in the league among backs with at least 100 carries - comparable to bulky runners like Derrick Henry and Mark Ingram. Ekeler may need to find extra production on the ground, however, as Philip Rivers' departure for Indianapolis will give the Bolts offense a different look this season. The scheme won't change with offensive coordinator Shane Steichen returning, but Rivers' penchant for flipping passes to his backs is legendary - something that neither Tyrod Taylor nor Justin Herbert is likely to match. Ekeler will hope to make up for it with additional rushing volume and potentially more snaps, taking the lead over Justin Jackson and rookie fourth-round pick Joshua Kelley in the Chargers backfield.
Ekeler continued to impress for the Chargers in 2018, finishing just shy of 1,000 scrimmage yards despite missing two games late in the season with a concussion. He gets typecast as a scatback due to his size, but Ekeler has more than proven himself on the ground --- he posted at least 5.2 YPC in both his NFL campaigns thanks to a low center of gravity and strong leg drive through contact. Ekeler has plus elusiveness and balance as well, allowing him to find extra yards in traffic even if he doesn't have breakaway speed. His 3.8 yards after contact per carry ranked second in the league to Nick Chubb's 4.3. Ekeler is not a natural receiver when it comes to running routes, but he has soft hands and any back with some skill will see plenty of targets from Philip Rivers. Ekeler is entrenched in the No. 2 spot behind Melvin Gordon, but with Gordon playing 16 games only once in his career, odds are good that Ekeler will find himself in a starting role at least a couple times in 2019. Those odds improved a step further when Gordon decided to hold out from training camp, hoping to gain leverage in negotiations for a contract extension. As a result, Ekeler and Justin Jackson are handling first-team reps during the early portion of training camp.
If there's one thing Philip Rivers likes, it's an undersized receiving back. Over the last decade, players like Darren Sproles and Danny Woodhead have built their careers running wheel routes around frustrated linebackers and providing a security blanket for the quarterback. Last year it was Ekeler's turn to fill that role, and while it took the undrafted rookie a while to earn Rivers' trust, by Week 10 he was an integral part of the Chargers' attack, catching 12 of 13 targets for 171 yards and two touchdowns over a four-game span before a broken finger cut short his productive run. At 5-10, 200, Ekeler isn't going to supplant Melvin Gordon on early downs, but he runs with some surprising power for his size and can contribute a bit on the ground, even if his bread-and-butter will always be catching passes and making defenders miss in space. The team drafted Justin Jackson in the seventh round to provide extra depth in the backfield, but if Ekeler stays healthy his role should only grow.
An undrafted rookie out of Division II Western State, the 195-pound Ekeler surprisingly survived roster cutdown day in early September, slotting in behind Melvin Gordon and Branden Oliver on the initial depth chart. The Chargers might still add more talent in the backfield, but if not, Ekeler could get some touches early in the season.
More Fantasy News
Returning to backup role
RBWashington Commanders
November 13, 2024
Ekeler likely will return to a backup role with Brian Robinson (hamstring) cleared to play Thursday at Philadelphia, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Scores twice
RBWashington Commanders
November 10, 2024
Ekeler rushed the ball 13 times for 44 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 28-27 loss to the Steelers. He added one reception on two targets for seven yards.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Another start likely Sunday
RBWashington Commanders
November 8, 2024
Ekeler may be in line to lead the Commanders backfield Sunday against the Steelers due to Brian Robinson (hamstring) being ruled out for the contest, Zach Selby of the team's official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Solid performance without Robinson
RBWashington Commanders
November 3, 2024
Ekeler rushed the ball 11 times for 42 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 27-22 win over the Giants. He added three receptions on four targets for 41 yards.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
In line for start with Robinson out
RBWashington Commanders
November 3, 2024
Ekeler is expected to be the Commanders' primary running back Sunday at the Giants due to Brian Robinson (hamstring) being inactive.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Latest Fantasy Rumors
Reprising lead-back duties
RBWashington Commanders
November 8, 2024
Ekeler is set to serve as the Commanders' primary running back again in Week 10 against the Steelers due to Brian Robinson already being ruled out due to a hamstring injury, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Ekeler performed well in Sunday's win over the Giants due to Robinson being sidelined, compiling 83 total yards and a rushing TD on 14 touches. Ekeler could be primed for even more opportunity Sunday, considering Chris Rodriguez, who recorded 11 rush attempts over 20 snaps versus New York, would have to be officially promoted to the 53-man roster since he's already used up his three practice-squad elevations.
See All NFL Rumors