Who Should I Start? Austin Ekeler or Jaylen Wright

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.

Monday, December 29, 10:48 PM

Across nine games in 2025, Miami Dolphins running back Jaylen Wright has recorded just 292 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns on 60 touches. However, the 22-year-old has played some of his best football in the month of December. Over his last four games, Wright has racked up 200 rushing yards and two scores on 39 carries. Wright's production upside is limited by the presence of star Dolphins running back De'Von Achane, who remains the clear lead back in Miami. However, Wright could be overtaking Ollie Gordon II for the team's RB2 role, as Wright has out-snapped Gordon II 26 to 11 over the past two weeks. In fantasy leagues with 14 or more teams, Wright could be worth targeting on the waiver wire heading into his Week 18 matchup against the New England Patriots.