Washington Commanders Running Backs Fantasy Football Outlook 2024: Austin Ekeler, Bill Merritt, and Chris Rodriguez Jr.
The Washington Commanders enter 2024 with a backfield that looks vastly different from years past. Gone are the days of Antonio Gibson and a muddled rotation; in their place is a new mix of experience, youth, and potential. For fantasy football managers, this group is fascinating: Austin Ekeler provides the proven veteran floor, rookie Bill Merritt offers lottery-ticket upside, and Chris Rodriguez Jr. is quietly positioning himself as a Montgomery-style workhorse waiting in the wings.
This is not a “set-and-forget” backfield like Christian McCaffrey’s in San Francisco, but it’s far from irrelevant. Depending on how touches shake out, Washington’s running backs could deliver massive fantasy value at affordable draft prices. Let’s break down each option.
Austin Ekeler Fantasy Outlook 2024: The Proven Veteran Presence
At age 29, Austin Ekeler arrives in Washington after an up-and-down final year with the Chargers. Once one of the premier dual-threat backs in fantasy football, Ekeler’s 2023 was derailed by an ankle injury and inconsistent offensive line play. Still, his track record speaks for itself: four straight seasons of 900+ scrimmage yards, two years with 18+ total touchdowns, and an unmatched ability to rack up receptions out of the backfield.
For fantasy football, Ekeler’s value in 2024 is clear: he’s the safest option in this committee. His passing-game chops give him weekly PPR relevance, and his experience makes him the most trusted option for new quarterback Jayden Daniels. Checkdowns are a young QB’s best friend, and Ekeler is tailor-made for that role.
The upside: If Ekeler gets 12–15 touches per game with 4–6 catches, he can easily return RB2 value in PPR leagues. In an offense still finding its footing, he could be Daniels’ safety valve and rack up sneaky consistent numbers.
The downside: Father Time. Running backs at 29 rarely hold up for a full season. Washington likely wants to preserve him by rotating in Merritt and Rodriguez, limiting his ceiling compared to his Los Angeles peak. He’s also unlikely to see heavy red zone work — that may go to the younger, bigger backs.
Fantasy Draft Range: Round 7–8 (solid RB3 with RB2 upside in PPR).
Bill Merritt Fantasy Outlook 2024: The Upside Play
Rookie Bill Merritt (a mid-round pick) might not be a household name yet, but for fantasy football players looking for the next breakout, he’s the one to watch. Comparisons to Bucky Irving make sense: Merritt is undersized but explosive, slippery, and dangerous in space. He thrives on cutbacks, has natural receiving ability, and brings the kind of juice this backfield has lacked.
In fantasy terms, Merritt is the classic lottery ticket stash. He’s not guaranteed touches out of the gate, but he’s the kind of back who can make the most of limited opportunities. If he flashes early, the Commanders will be forced to expand his role.
The case for Merritt:
- Explosiveness: Washington’s offense needs chunk plays, and Merritt has the speed to provide them.
- Scheme fit: Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury has historically favored backs who can catch passes and work in space.
- Path to touches: Ekeler is aging, and Rodriguez is more of a grinder. Merritt fills a unique role.
The risk: Rookie growing pains. Pass protection is often a barrier to early playing time, and Merritt will need to prove he can handle NFL-level physicality. He’s also more of a complementary weapon than a true bell-cow — meaning he might need injuries ahead of him to become an every-week starter.
Fantasy Draft Range: Round 13–15 (bench stash, high-upside flier in redraft; dynasty priority).
Chris Rodriguez Jr. Fantasy Outlook 2024: The Next David Montgomery?
If Ekeler is the veteran floor and Merritt is the upside dart throw, Chris Rodriguez Jr. is the steady grinder in the middle. Drafted in 2023, Rodriguez didn’t get many opportunities as a rookie, but when he did, he flashed the physical, no-nonsense running style that coaches love. At 5’11”, 224 pounds, he runs through contact, thrives in short yardage, and could easily become the Commanders’ preferred goal-line option.
The David Montgomery comparison is apt: Rodriguez may never wow with elite speed or highlight-reel plays, but he’s dependable, tough, and could sneak into a 12–15 carry role if the staff leans on him.
For fantasy, Rodriguez’s value comes in two forms:
- Touchdown upside: If he earns goal-line duties, he could pile up 6–8 TDs in this offense.
- Handcuff appeal: If Ekeler goes down, Rodriguez could step into the “workhorse” role with Merritt sprinkled in.
The risk: He’s not explosive, and in PPR leagues, his lack of receiving ability caps his ceiling. He’s more of a flex or bye-week filler than a weekly starter. But like Montgomery, steady volume can add up over time — especially in standard formats.
Fantasy Draft Range: Round 11–12 (RB4 with flex potential, especially in standard scoring).
Commanders Running Backs 2024: Fantasy Draft Strategy
So how should fantasy managers approach this backfield on draft day? Here’s the breakdown:
- Austin Ekeler is the most reliable, with a clear PPR role and a weekly floor. He’s best drafted as your RB3, giving you safe receptions with occasional RB2 weeks.
- Bill Merritt is the stash with the highest ceiling. He could be this year’s midseason waiver-wire darling, especially in leagues that reward explosive plays.
- Chris Rodriguez Jr. is the touchdown-dependent grinder. He’s unlikely to wow, but he’s the most likely to steal goal-line work and hold flex value in non-PPR formats.
In dynasty leagues, Merritt is the long-term prize. In redraft, Ekeler is the stable play, while Rodriguez is the cheap insurance policy.
Final Verdict: A Committee with Roles
The Commanders’ backfield may lack a clear superstar, but it offers fantasy football value in 2024 if you play it correctly:
- Draft Ekeler for immediate production.
- Stash Merritt for upside.
- Don’t overlook Rodriguez, who could carve out a Montgomery-style role and finish higher than expected.
This won’t be a one-back show. Instead, expect a committee where roles matter: Ekeler as the passing-down veteran, Merritt as the spark plug, and Rodriguez as the power runner. For fantasy football managers willing to navigate the uncertainty, Washington’s running backs could be one of the sneakiest sources of value this season.
