AustinEkeler

News: 7 days agoEkeler and Deebo Samuel have been returning kickoffs in practice, Zach Selby of the Commanders' official site reports.

Spin: The new touchback rules last season led to 32.8 percent of kicks being returned, up from 21.8 percent the year before. A second increase is coming -- potentially a much bigger one -- after another rule change this offseason to move touchbacks out to the 35-yard line. Last year, over 12 regular-season games played, Ekeler handled 19 of Washington's 37 kick returns, averaging 31.3 yards to finish with the third-most kick return yardage in the league (594). It's a nice little boost in fantasy leagues that count those yards, but in most formats the increased injury risk probably isn't worth the chance of a touchdown every once in a while, especially if return work is also costing the player snaps on offense. That'll likely be Ekeler's reality this season, although he's already off the field plenty given his committee role alongside Brian Robinson in Washington's backfield.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Ekeler is returning for his ninth NFL season, including his second as Brian Robinson Jr.'s running mate in Washington. The duo played eight full games together last season (including the playoffs), with Ekeler handling 5.5 carries and 4.5 targets per game while playing 51% of the snaps. In those eight games, he wasn't much of a fantasy factor (10.0 PPG, clearing 12.8 once), which can somewhat be traced to a nonexistent role near the goal line (zero TDs or carries inside the 5). Ekeler was productive when Robinson was sidelined (3 TDs -- all from the 1-yard line -- and 15.4 PPG), so while he's now 30 years old and without standalone fantasy value, he has some insurance appeal.