RB Austin Ekeler could be next Commanders QB's best friend

As ESPN's Adam Schefter noted, the pending move will pair Ekeler with Anthony Lynn, his head coach in his first four NFL seasons (2017-20). In February, Lynn, who served as 49ers assistant head coach and running backs coach from 2022-23, was hired by the Commanders to be their run game coordinator and running backs coach.

Ekeler emerged as one of the league's best dual-threat running backs during that stretch under Lynn, joining Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara as the only three to gain at least 1,900 rushing yards and 2,000 receiving yards.

He blossomed in 2021 and 2022 in an expanded role, his 38 touchdowns 12 more than Cardinals running back James Conner, who ranked second among backs in total touchdowns during that span.

A Week 1 ankle injury slowed Ekeler last season, forcing him to miss three games. He averaged 3.5 yards per carry, the lowest of his career. 

He was still a productive receiver out of the backfield, which is where he can most help Washington's 2024 starting quarterback. With the team holding the No. 2 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, that very well could be a rookie.

Ekeler served as a safety valve for Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert from the outset of his career. He had 54 receptions in Herbert's first season, and his 282 receptions since 2020 are the most by a running back.

ESPN's Jordan Reid has the Commanders selecting North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye with their first-round pick, while LSU's Jayden Daniels could also be a possibility under the premise USC quarterback Caleb Williams goes first overall to the Bears.

Regardless of the pick, if Washington follows trends and starts its rookie quarterback early, Ekeler should be a calming presence on the field, an outlet in the passing game when Washington's quarterback has nowhere else to go.

He isn't the same player he was at his peak, and the Commanders aren't expected to pay him as though he is. With Brian Robinson Jr. entering his third year in the league, Ekeler can serve in a more specialized role in Washington's offense.

His status as a mentor to Robinson as he further develops as a receiver can't be discounted, either.

Robinson impressed in that area in 2023, gaining 10.2 yards per catch on an average depth of target of 1.2 yards behind the line of scrimmage.

Ekeler's pending signing has plenty of upside for Washington and few negatives. It's a quiet but admirable start to the team's offseason that helps set up the Commanders' future quarterback for success.