Austin Ekeler
28-Year-Old
2023 Rush/Rec Stats
ATT
179
YDS
628
TD
5
YDS
436
TD
1
2024 Projections
2023 Fantasy Outlook
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. 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 reportedly 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 reportedly 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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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
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.
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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