Who Should I Start? Austin Ekeler or Emari Demercado

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 3, 10:51 AM

Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado served as the team's RB2 in Week 4 behind Trey Benson (knee). However, with Benson now on Injured Reserve due to a knee injury, it does not appear that Demercado is a lock to assume Arizona's RB1 role. Demercado has appeared in 31 games for the Cardinals since the start of 2023, but he has not recorded more than four carries in a game since October of his first season with the team. That could indicate that Arizona feels comfortable with Demercado as the team's passing-downs back, but that veteran back Michael Carter could assume the bulk of the early-down work. Heading into a Week 5 matchup against the Tennessee Titans, Demercado profiles as a decent flex option for fantasy managers, but Carter should be the preferred play.