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ESPN’s John Keim reports the Commanders “want to rely on a strong defense and run game to reduce the burden” on Jayden Daniels.

Advice: The team has not yet committed to Daniels — the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft — as their Week 1 starter, though it would be a massive upset if Marcus Mariota got the opening day call for Washington. Keim expects Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury to lean heavily on the rushing attack, which will be led by Austin Ekeler and Brian Robinson. Ekeler is most likely to be the primary pass-catching back while Robinson functions as the team’s early-down back. A lack of passing volume could be an issue for Washington’s pass catchers. Terry McLaurin could still see a solid target share, however, as offenses that use lots of run-pass option plays tend to target their WR1 heavily. Rotoworld Yesterday, 10:00 am

GM Nick Caserio said Tuesday that he expects Pierce to be "a big part" of the Houston offense this upcoming season, Tyler Milner of Sports Radio 610 reports.

Advice: The 2022 fourth-round pick ran for 939 yards in 13 games his rookie season but then managed just 416 yards in 14 games last year. Pierce nosedived from 4.3 YPC to 2.9, losing his starting job to Devin Singletary in the process. Singletary is with the Giants now, but Pierce nonetheless appear destined for a backup role after the Texans traded for Joe Mixon and gave him an extension. The team then waited until the sixth round of the 2024 NFL draft to select a running back, taking a player (Louisville's Jawhar Jordan) who six months older than Pierce and might only be used as a kick return specialist. In other words, Pierce has a nice opportunity to keep the second spot on the depth chart despite his subpar performance last season, though Dare Ogunbowale remains a threat to get playing time in obvious pass situations. Rotowire.com Thursday, 5:11 pm

Browns GM Andrew Berry said Nick Chubb (knee) is “progressing nicely” in his recovery from his knee injury.

Advice: Berry also noted that Chubb “still has a long way to go.” Chubb continues to work his way back from a brutal knee injury he suffered in Week 2 against the Steelers. The Browns didn’t address running back in the draft but did add veterans D’Onta Foreman and Nyheim Hines earlier this offseason. Reports on Chubb have often been good, with the last coming a few weeks ago when the team announced he had resumed running. Whether or not Chubb is ready for training camp is to be determined, but all signs continue to point in the right direction. Rotoworld Thursday, 10:18 am

Walker is expected to remain the No. 1 running back for the 2024 season after the Seahawks didn't select a running back in the NFL Draft.

Advice: The Seahawks did sign George Holani and TaMerik Williams as undrafted free agents, per Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic, but neither player presents a real threat to Walker's job. While Walker and 2023 second-round pick Zach Charbonnet split snaps last season, Walker was still the clear No. 1 back with 219 carries for 905 yards (4.1 YPC) and eight touchdowns. He added 29 receptions for 259 yards and a score. The Seahawks added three linemen in the draft, including third-round pick Christian Haynes, so they're hoping their offensive line will show more consistency this year. Rotowire.com Thursday, 7:06 am

Elliott's one-year, $2 million contract with the Cowboys includes $1.75 million guaranteed, and he can earn up to $1 million more via incentives, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.

Advice: All of the incentives require Dallas making the playoffs, with the other parts entailing Elliott playing more than half the team's snaps ($500,000), scoring 10 touchdowns ($250,000) or reaching 1,100 yards from scrimmage ($250,000). He did all three of those things in 2021, and two of the three in his most recent season with the Cowboys (2022). A one-year sojourn to New England proved less productive, though Elliott handled some huge workloads late in the season after Rhamondre Stevenson suffered a high-ankle injury, averaging 14.8 carries and 5.2 catches over the Patriots' final six games. The Cowboys probably won't call on him that often, even with their other backfield options -- Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn, Royce Freeman, Malik Davis and Snoop Conner -- being less than stellar. The Cowboys didn't draft a running back in April, and none of their veterans besides Elliott has ever run for more than 521 yards in a season. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 7:16 am