Who Should I Start? Austin Ekeler or Jaydon Blue

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, October 18, 12:36 PM

Dallas Cowboys rookie running back Jaydon Blue has seen his first NFL game action over the last two weeks, but he's yet to play a significant role in the team's offense. Through two games, Blue has recorded seven rushing yards on seven carries and has not been targeted by Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. With veteran Cowboys back Miles Sanders (knee, ankle) on Injured Reserve, Blue figures to have an extended run as the team's RB2 behind Javonte Williams. Still, it would appear that the team does not currently trust Blue to do much beyond give Williams the occasional play off. That seems unlikely to change in a crucial divisional matchup in Week 7 against the Washington Commanders. Blue maintains long-term fantasy appeal as a handcuff, but he's not startable for fantasy managers in Week 7.