Who Should I Start? Austin Ekeler or Quinshon Judkins

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, October 27, 2:38 PM

Cleveland Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins (shoulder) is considered day-to-day after leaving Sunday's loss to the Patriots with a shoulder injury. Judkins has been a bright spot on an otherwise pedestrian Browns offense, but in limited action on Sunday, he was held to only 19 yards on nine carries by a New England defense that has yet to allow a 50-yard rusher this season. With the Browns on a Week 9 bye, Judkins' next chance to see the field will be in a much more favorable Week 10 matchup with the New York Jets. His status should be monitored over the next two weeks, but if he is active when the team returns from the bye, he could see one of the week's highest projections.