Who Should I Start? Austin Ekeler or Rhamondre Stevenson

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 4, 9:34 AM

New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson has held onto his lead-back role despite some fumbling issues so far, and all signs point to him remaining atop the depth chart once again during Week 5 against the Buffalo Bills. Stevenson has been nothing special this season, totaling 125 rushing yards and 141 receiving yards while failing to find the end zone through five weeks. He has managed to hold off rookie TreVeyon Henderson for the top role despite losing two fumbles in Week 3. For now, Stevenson is the best Patriots running back to start in fantasy football, and managers should feel good about him this week. He ranks as a mid-to-low RB3 while taking on a Bills defense that has allowed the ninth-most rushing yards, fourth-most rushing touchdowns, and 13th-most fantasy points to opposing running backs this year.