Who Should I Start? Austin Ekeler or Justice Hill

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.

Saturday, October 11, 10:39 AM

Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill has hit one very high output among many lows so far this season. His biggest value continues to be in full PPR formats, and the fact that the Ravens' defense has been so terrible that the offense has to abandon the run early. Hill has only registered one week finishing in the top 30 at the position, and has one more finish inside the top 36. The Los Angeles Rams are one of the toughest defenses against opposing backfields, which diminishes his value even further, even though Cooper Rush will likely have plenty of dump-off throws. Hill is projected as the RB51 and is avoidable in most league sizes this week.