Who Should I Start? Austin Ekeler or Jimmy Garoppolo

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.

Friday, March 15, 5:37 PM

The Los Angeles Rams agreed to terms with free-agent quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo on an undisclosed one-year deal on Friday, according to sources. Following his disastrous year with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2023, Jimmy G is now set to join the Rams for one season as Matthew Stafford's backup. Garoppolo must first serve a two-games suspension to start the year for performance-enhancing drugs, but then he will be holding a clipboard on the sidelines with the Rams. The 32-year-old signal-caller played in seven games with the Raiders last year before getting hurt and eventually benched for rookie Aidan O'Connell, going 110-for-169 for 1,205 yards, seven touchdowns and nine interceptions. Pretty much all of the fantasy value that Jimmy G had going into last season is now gone.