Who Should I Start? Austin Ekeler or J.K. Dobbins

Monday, March 11, 7:05 PM

Veteran free-agent running back Austin Ekeler is signing with the Washington Commanders on Monday on a two-year deal worth up to $11.43 million, according to sources. Ekeler is headed to the East coast after seven seasons and 69 total touchdowns with the Los Angeles Chargers. The 28-year-old was extremely productive in his time with the Bolts, but he's coming off one of his worst statistical seasons in 2023 and is now heading to a Commanders backfield where he'll be expected to split the workload with Brian Robinson. On a side note, former Commanders RB Antonio Gibson agreed to join the New England Patriots. Gone are the days of Ekeler being a no-doubt RB1 for fantasy managers, although he still has the talent to be a highly productive RB3/flex option, especially in PPR leagues. In addition, the Commanders' signing of Ekeler is going to be bad news for B-Rob's fantasy ceiling.

Thursday, April 18, 9:46 PM

Los Angeles Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz said that recently signed running back J.K. Dobbins (Achilles), who is coming back from a torn Achilles, "should be" ready for training camp at the end of July. Hortiz also said the Dobbins signing is not likely to change the team's draft approach at running back. "You don't want to turn away from a good player because you've signed someone," Hortiz said. The Bolts lost do-it-all back Austin Ekeler to free agency this offseason, but they also picked up Gus Edwards in free agency, and he should fit new offensive coordinator Greg Roman's and head coach Jim Harbaugh's offensive system extremely well. The 25-year-old Dobbins has played in just nine regular-season games the last two seasons combined due to devastating lower-body injuries, so it's fair to wonder how much he has left moving forward.