Commanders
Commanders RB Austin Ekeler spoke about misconceptions of him not wanting to be heavily used in the run game while on the Chargers, saying heโs been his most productive when splitting between being a receiver and running back.
โYouโre going to get the best version of myself always, no matter what,โ Ekeler said, via NFL.com. โThereโs been this controversy out there, like, โOh Austin said he doesnโt want 300 carries, โcause thatโs what the Chargers said.โ Iโve never had that many carries ever. So, I donโt know why everybodyโs in an uproar. Itโs not that I donโt want to touch the ball. Itโs the way that Iโve had the most production is when Iโm able to split between catching and running the ball. That is when Iโve been the most productive, down in the red zone, right out in the field, when I can have both those type of environments.
โAnd now, with Brian Robinson being in the backfield also, my old head coach, Anthony Lynn, where I first got my start and first started finding success, is also my running backs coach and is going to utilize us probably in that same type of way, is what itโs looking like. So, Iโm going to go right back to my roots of when I continue to have success and continue to build on that in the way that fits Austin Ekeler the most.โ
Ekeler thinks heโd be a smart investment in fantasy leagues as a first-round pick.
โYes,โ Ekeler said. โLet me ask you this: I guess itโs little tough because in the fantasy world youโre judged off your last season, but as far as consistency, when Iโve been healthy โ yes, last year I missed like four games (with) high ankle sprain, come back sprain my other ankle โ but when Austin Ekeler has been healthy on the field, he has produced. And so thatโs the same thing going forward here. If Iโm healthy, Iโm going to be on the field and Iโm going to be producing. Youโve seen what it looks like when I produce, so youโre going to want me on your team.โ
Cowboys
Jon Machota of The Athletic makes his projection of the Dallas Cowboysโ 53-man roster for the regular season.
- At quarterback, Machota expects Dallas to keep just two quarterbacks on the roster and Trey Lance will win the battle with Cooper Rush to be Dak Prescottโs primary backup.
- Machota could see the Cowboys keeping RBs Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn, and Hunter Luepke while letting go of Malik Davis and Royce Freeman.
- Regarding the tight end spot, Machota thinks Jake Ferguson, Luke Schoonmaker, John Stephens Jr., and Brevyn Spann-Ford make the active roster with Peyton Hendershot and Alec Holler still โin the mixโ for a spot.
- For Dallasโ offensive line, Machota sees Asim Richards and Nathan Thomas beating Josh Ball and Matt Waletzko for the final two roster spots.
- Machota thinks DL Chauncey Golston and Viliami Fehokoโs โversatilityโ as outside and inside options will be a factor in keeping both on the 53-man roster.
- Machota also has the Cowboys cutting DBs Israel Mukuamu and Nahshon Wright.
Giants
Giants new DC Shane Bowen emphasized collectiveness in the staff when discussing how they will prepare for games this year.
โItโs not the Shane Bowen way,โ Bowen said, via Dan Duggan of The Athletic. โThere (are) no egos involved here. We are going to be a very collaborative group as a coaching staff.โ
- Bowen described how they would use LB Isaiah Simmons this year: โIn our minds, (he will) be a first- and second-down nickel and then playing โmoneyโ on third-down.โ (Dan Benton)
Looking for the latest NFL Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow NFL Trade Rumors on X.com and FACEBOOK for breaking NFL News and Rumors for all 32 teams!