Who Should I Start? Austin Ekeler or Josh Jacobs

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.

Tuesday, November 11, 3:37 PM

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs has been as automatic a fantasy start as it gets this season. Jacobs has scored in every game this season but one and has been a top-10 fantasy running back in five of the last six weeks. Adding to that total in his game with the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 10, Jacobs put up 107 yards from scrimmage with five receptions and a rushing score. While Jacobs hasn't posted a 100-yard rushing game this season and has averaged just 68 rushing yards per game, fantasy managers are still beaming at just how inevitable Jacobs has been when it comes to scoring and his involvement in the Packers' offense. With the offensive game plan flowing through Jacobs and the run game each week, he's been the only thing that's consistently worked this season for Green Bay. Against the New York Giants, who are dead last in the NFL in defensive EPA per carry, Jacobs is a no-brainer RB1 lock for fantasy lineups in Week 11.