Who Should I Start? Austin Ekeler or D'Andre Swift

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, 12:14 PM

Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift is off the injury report and is set to play in Week 11 against the Minnesota Vikings. This marks the first time since Week 6 that Swift has no injury designation, as he has been playing through nagging hip and groin injuries throughout the season. Despite playing through injury, Swift has been a game-changer for the Bears this season. In eight games, he has 754 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns on 136 total attempts. However, Week 11 marks his first relatively tough opponent he's had since Week 2, as the Vikings have allowed the 13th fewest fantasy points to running backs this season. This run defense is no joke, as they've held Derrick Henry and Jahmyr Gibbs to under double-digit fantasy points in back-to-back weeks. Swift profiles as a risky RB2 this week, with his value dependent on whether he finds the endzone in Minnesota.