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.

Sunday, November 2, 10:15 PM

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs has been playing through a calf injury in recent weeks, but he looked fully healthy in the Week 9 loss to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday at Lambeau Field. Jacobs led the backfield with 17 carries for 87 yards (5.1 yards per tote) and a touchdown, scoring for the fifth straight week and for the 10th time on the ground in eight games. Green Bay's loss to the Cleveland Browns back on Sept. 21 was the only time in 2025 so far in which Jacobs has not scored a rushing TD. In the last five games, the veteran back has 354 rushing yards and nine rushing scores. He also caught four of his five targets in the passing game for 13 yards in Sunday's 16-13 loss to Carolina. Jacobs has gone over 100 scrimmage yards in three straight games. Despite a tough upcoming matchup in Week 10 against the Philadelphia Eagles, Jacobs will remain a must-start RB in fantasy football.