Who Should I Start? Austin Ekeler or Jaylen Warren

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, 10:54 AM

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren had a solid game last week and will look to build on that performance against the Buffalo Bills in Week 13. Buffalo has been solid against the pass but extremely vulnerable on the ground, surrendering the third-most rushing yards, the second-most yards per carry, and the third-most fantasy points to opposing running backs. Warren will continue to split work with Kenneth Gainwell, who has emerged as Pittsburgh's preferred receiving back. Still, Warren remains the clear leader on the ground. The 27-year-old has logged double-digit carries in every game he's played this season, while Gainwell has reached 10 carries just twice. Though the Steelers enter this matchup as underdogs, they are projected to keep it competitive at home, suggesting plenty of utilization for Warren throughout. Fantasy managers should treat Warren as a high-end RB2 with upside on Sunday.