Commanders Beat: RB Austin Ekeler remains key part of offense

Aug 19, 2025

Veteran Austin Ekeler remains a key piece of the offense and special teams as Washington’s lead kick returner.

Fantasy Impact:

The Commanders RB room has been a hot topic this week and it's only Tuesday. Robinson was held out of Monday night's preseason game amid trade rumors. The story discussed how an AFC GM said the team made Robinson available last year already. Rodriguez had a big run in the Monday night game and rookie sensation Croskey-Merritt had a long TD run as well. The story called McNichols the team's best blocking back. The story didn't mention how much of a role Ekeler would have in the offense, but needless to say it's a crowded RB room right now, with all four of those backs expected to make the team. If the Commanders do trade Robinson, this situation will need to sort itself out. But right now, Rodriguez and JCM are popular pickups in leagues that already had their drafts.

Jeremy McNichols re-signed in the offseason on a one-year deal, giving offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury another versatile option who is also the team’s best blocking back. (His blitz pickups last season warranted more headlines.)

yesterday

Harbaugh: WR Ladd McConkey 'has become uncoverable' one-on-one

The Athletic

4 hours ago

Coach Jim Harbaugh said earlier this camp that Ladd McConkey has become “uncoverable” in one-on-one situations. Monday featured example after example of that.

Related players: Tre’ Harris, KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Keenan Allen

Fantasy Impact:

The story has high praise for McConkey and his potential for 2025. It said the passing offense is going to flow through McConkey this year and even with the return of Allen to the Bolts, it's McConkey's room. The story also believes McConkey is poised to reach even greater heights in his second season. We currently rank McConkey 12th among our WRs and he looks to be available in the early third round of drafts so far this summer.

Dolphins RB De'Von Achane (calf) to miss some time

Pro Football Talk

yesterday · 5:54 PM EDT

The Dolphins are keeping one of their key offensive players sidelined for at least the next few practices.

Head coach Mike McDaniel told reporters in his Monday press conference that De’Von Achane is unlikely to practice this week due to a calf issue.

Related players: Ollie Gordon, Jaylen Wright

Fantasy Impact:

But McDaniel noted that Achane getting held out of practice is precautionary, the story went on to say. We also just posted a news story about how Gordon and Wright are battling for the team's RB2 role, which the Dolphins would like to see go to more of a power back. As far as Achane goes, it sounds like it's not serious and he should be fine before Week 1.

Dolphins Beat: Ollie Gordon should be team's RB2

Sun Sentinel

yesterday · 5:49 PM EDT

But does Dolphins rookie running back Ollie Gordon II, who rushed for 50 yards on 10 carries in last Saturday’s 24-17 victory over the Lions, provide everything that’s necessary as RB2 behind starting running back De’Von Achane and ahead of second-year running back Jaylen Wright?

It appears to me that he does. Gordon, this year’s sixth-round pick from Oklahoma State, at this point seems better equipped to serve as Achane’s primary backup than Wright, last year’s fourth-round pick out of Tennessee.

Fantasy Impact:

Keep in mind, this is just the opinion of the author. However, with Alexander Mattison now missing the season, the team is looking for a power back to perhaps get short-yardage and goal line carries. The author said Gordon (6 foot 2, 225 pounds) provides more power than Wright (5-10, 208). The author added Gordon hits holes faster and more decisively, he has better hands and more special teams value. He also shows a knack for double-digit gains on the ground and in the air. It remains to be seen what direction the Dolphins go in for this role. Achane is currently missing time with an injury, so both Gordon and Wright are getting plenty of chances to show their stuff.