Who Should I Start? Austin Ekeler or Ashton Jeanty

Monday, September 22, 12:34 PM

Although Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. wasn't all that efficient (3.5 yards per carry) in his 2025 debut in the team's 41-24 blowout win over the visiting Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, he did lead the team with 11 carries. Rodriguez was a healthy scratch the first two weeks, but he was elevated to the active roster for Week 3 after Austin Ekeler tore his Achilles in Week 2. The 24-year-old ran for 39 yards on his 11 carries and was not utilized in the passing game. Rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt was second on the team with eight carries, and he, too, was inefficient with just 26 yards on the ground. Jeremy McNichols and quarterback Marcus Mariota combined for 10 rushing attempts and two touchdowns against the Raiders. Croskey-Merritt has the most upside in the Commanders' backfield moving forward with Ekeler done for the year, but Rodriguez is worth a waiver-wire pickup if you have JCM rostered or are looking for RB depth. Rodriguez is currently rostered in only 5% of Yahoo leagues.

Saturday, November 15, 1:29 PM

Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Ashton Jeanty has had underwhelming efficiency on a massive workload this season. Jeanty has topped 4.0 yards per carry in only two games this season while running behind a struggling Raiders offensive line. The sixth overall pick in this past year's draft has turned heavy volume into solid fantasy production, ranking as RB16 in PPR points per game (14.6) among running backs with at least four games played, with his 166 total touches ranking 11th most in the league. Jeanty's floor for fantasy points has been raised lately with more involvement as a pass catcher, catching 16 of his 22 targets for 116 yards and a touchdown in his past five games. The rookie back gets a beautiful matchup in Week 11 on Monday Night Football against a Dallas Cowboys defense that has allowed the fourth most PPR points per game to opposing running backs.