Who Should I Start? Austin Ekeler or Jerome Ford

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.

Wednesday, October 29, 11:11 AM

Cleveland Browns beat writer Brad Stainbrook speculates that veteran running back Jerome Ford should be one of the players that Cleveland explores moving at the upcoming trade deadline. The 2-6 Browns appear to be in sell mode as they hit their Week 9 bye. Ford is in the final year of his rookie contract with the team and has recorded 149 scrimmage yards on 42 total touches across eight games this season. Furthermore, Cleveland has a pair of exciting rookie running backs in Quinshon Judkins (shoulder) and Dylan Sampson, so Ford is unlikely to factor in the organization's long-term plans. If Ford is traded on or before the November 4 trade deadline, Sampson would likely become the full-time passing-downs back in Cleveland. If the shoulder injury that Judkins suffered in Week 8 causes him to miss time, Sampson could be the Browns' RB1 in Week 10 against the New York Jets.