Who Should I Start? Austin Ekeler or Blake Corum

Sunday, January 26, 6:46 PM

Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler tallied just 32 all-purpose yards during their loss in the NFC Championship game to the Philadelphia Eagles. Ekeler also lost a fumble. The Commanders were playing from behind throughout most of the contest, putting their rushing attack out of the game plan. However, even when Ekeler was given the ball through the air, he could not perform. He caught five of his seven targets but tallied just 17 yards. His seven targets tied him the second-most on the team, only behind tight end Zach Ertz. Throughout the season, the 29-year-old operated primarily as a change-of-pace option in the Washington backfield. Entering Sunday, Ekeler posted a strong 10.3 yards per catch and a 4.8 yards per carry. Ekeler will likely remain in this role next season as he enters the final year of his contract.

Thursday, July 10, 3:20 PM

Los Angeles Rams running back Blake Corum was a popular fantasy sleeper heading into last season after being selected in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Michigan. However, the 24-year-old failed to make an impact, logging just 58 carries for 207 yards and failing to score a touchdown. Corum did not look explosive in his limited action, but running backs coach Ron Gould said he is looking better this offseason. "He's gotten his speed back, so his explosiveness has come back," Gould said. "We had a chance to just see that, and then his ability to come out of cuts, which is something that we saw in the junior year and part of his senior year." While this is a promising development, the team's decision to draft Auburn's Jarquez Hunter in Round 4 of this year's draft does not express much confidence in the former National Champion. Kyren Williams should retain his starting role to begin the 2025 campaign, but whoever wins the RB2 job could be a premier handcuff for fantasy football and a potential league-winner should Williams be benched or suffer a long-term injury.