Who Should I Start? Austin Ekeler or Jonathan Taylor

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 1, 5:26 AM

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor carried the ball 21 times for 85 yards and caught three of his five targets for 36 yards in a 20-16 loss to the Houston Texans in Week 13. Taylor was held out of the end zone for the second straight game, although he was able to offset that with a solid afternoon in the passing game. The veteran running back has been excellent this season, rushing for 1,282 yards while catching 35 passes for 304 yards and scoring 17 all-purpose touchdowns. He will remain a high-end RB1 in Week 14 against the Jacksonville Jaguars on the road.