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.

Thursday, October 30, 11:59 AM

Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill hasn't held much value throughout this season despite being the main pass-catching back for the team. He's had two finishes in the top 25 of running backs in half-PPR formats, and saw his snapshare fall a bit in Week 8 as Keaton Mitchell was active for the first time. Lamar Jackson returns for the Week 9 tilt against the Miami Dolphins, which means some more running plays designed for the QB and fewer touches for Hill. The Dolphins are ranked 28th against opposing backfields after giving up a total of 941 yards and six touchdowns on the ground versus 322 yards and one touchdown through the air. That likely means even more work for Derrick Henry, and if Mitchell keeps getting some snaps, that leaves Hill off the fantasy radar.