Who Should I Start? Austin Ekeler or Jaylen Wright

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.

Monday, June 9, 6:05 PM

Miami Dolphins running back Jaylen Wright worked hard on his body in the offseason after fading down the stretch in his rookie season in 2024 with just nine carries for six yards in the final five games. "Just working hard in the offseason, working on my body," Wright said. "I probably added about, probably six pounds. I lost a lot of body fat. I gained a lot of muscle. That's why it might look like I'm a little bigger, but yeah, just off-season, working hard, focusing on my body, getting prepared for the season, so." The 22-year-old was taken in the fourth round (120th overall) last year out of Tennessee but had a limited role down the stretch behind De'Von Achane and Raheem Mostert, finishing with 249 rushing yards and no touchdowns on 68 total carries in 15 games (one start). With Mostert out of town, Wright has a clear path to RB2 duties, and his big-play abilities make him a nice handcuff option to Achane.