Who Should I Start? Austin Ekeler or Ray Davis

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, January 4, 8:37 PM

Buffalo Bills running back Ray Davis rushed for 151 yards on 21 carries during Sunday's Week 18 win over the New York Jets. He also caught each of his two targets for an additional 23 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown. Davis handled the lead-back role with James Cook resting for most of the game and Ty Johnson remaining the backup option. The 26-year-old had his best game since (ironically) Week 18 of last season, when Buffalo was in a similar situation and rested its starters. While Davis will continue to offer a change of pace going forward, Cook will be the workhorse throughout the duration of the playoffs, starting with next weekend's Wild Card game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.