Who Should I Start? Austin Ekeler or De'Von Achane

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.

Friday, October 17, 8:08 PM

Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane has been one of the top running backs all season despite his team's offensive inconsistencies. Achane had his best game of the season last week, racking up 128 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns, four catches, and 22 receiving yards in his team's narrow loss to the Chargers. He has six touchdowns in his six games this season, averaging 65 rushing yards and 32.5 passing yards per game. He's had a total of 10 catches in the last two weeks without Tyreek Hill (knee) available, and he should remain very involved and productive as both a rusher and receiver as the Dolphins go to Cleveland to take on the Browns. Even though the Browns have allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to running backs this season, Achane's volume and production are enough to still make him the RB6 in RotoBaller's Week 7 rankings.