Who Should I Start? Austin Ekeler or Ty Chandler

Thursday, June 27, 4:25 PM

Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler was an elite fantasy football producer for a few of his seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers, but last year was disappointing for the veteran and fantasy managers. Ekeler posted 179 attempts for 628 yards and five touchdowns and caught 51 passes for 436 yards and one touchdown en route to an RB26 finish in PPR leagues. He was selected as a top-three running back in PPR formats, so it was far from ideal. However, the former undrafted free agent is confident he will bounce back in 2024. "You're going to get the best version of myself always, no matter what," Ekeler told NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero. "There's been this controversy out there, like, 'Oh Austin said he doesn't want 300 carries, 'cause that's what the Chargers said.' I've never had that many carries ever. So, I don't know why everybody's in an uproar. It's not that I don't want to touch the ball. It's the way that I've had the most production is when I'm able to split between catching and running the ball. If I'm healthy, I'm going to be on the field and I'm going to be producing." The 29-year-old is slated to share the backfield with Brian Robinson this season, but as long as he maintains the clear pass-catching role out of the backfield, he should be a weekly flex option in PPR and half-PPR setups. He is usually available after the top 25 running backs are selected.

Friday, June 7, 1:51 PM

The Athletic's Alec Lewis points out that Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler is turning heads at mandatory minicamp this week, and that fans should keep an eye on him heading into the 2024 season. "I see us as having a one-two punch at running back (alongside Aaron Jones)," defensive tackle Harrison Phillips said, "almost like they have in Detroit. I don't know if that's what's happening on the offensive side, but I know that we have two true No. 1 running backs. I'd buy stock in Ty Chandler if I could." Aaron Jones is the starter in Minnesota's backfield, but the 26-year-old Chandler should have an increased role off the bench after he started the last four games in 2023 and was very productive. Jones' history with injuries makes Chandler a very enticing handcuff pick in fantasy drafts this fall.