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 29, 10:20 AM

Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Ashton Jeanty hasn't found consistent running room this season behind a lackluster offensive line, totaling 166 carries for 604 yards (3.6 YPC) and four touchdowns while adding 37 receptions for 221 yards and four more scores on 46 targets as a receiver. Jeanty injured his ankle in Week 12's loss to the Browns, but he is off the injury report heading into Sunday. His involvement in the passing game has helped save his fantasy outputs in recent weeks, with 22 receptions (26 targets) for 135 yards and two touchdowns in the past four games. The sixth overall pick in this past year's draft is averaging just 2.9 yards per carry in that four-game span. The Raiders fired offensive coordinator Chip Kelly earlier in the week, so the offense could look a little different in Week 13 against the Los Angeles Chargers. Jeanty ranks as RotoBaller's RB20 for Week 13.