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.

Friday, November 14, 10:17 PM

Miami Dolphins running back Jaylen Wright finally got some work in the team's backfield in Week 10 against the Bills, and he could again serve as De'Von Achane's backup in Week 11 against the Commanders in Madrid. Wright had a larger role since Ollie Gordon II was questionable with an injury and only played three snaps, but this week Gordon has no injury designation, even though he was limited in practice with an ankle injury. Wright took his five carries for 17 yards last week and now has 14 carries for 45 yards on the season. Achane is expected to take most of the work again this week, with Wright and Gordon possibly picking up a few carries as well. Wright doesn't bring much upside, though, even in this favorable matchup. He's only the RB 67 in RotoBaller's rankings, indicating that he's safe to leave on the waiver wire in almost all formats, even though it's worth watching whether he works ahead of Gordon again.