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.

Friday, November 14, 9:41 AM

New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (toe) missed Week 11's Thursday Night Football matchup against the New York Jets, and proceeded to watch rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson score three touchdowns and combine for 93 all-purpose yards, which was a career night for the rookie running back. This was after Henderson rushed for 147 yards in Week 10 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and scored twice in that game as well, while Stevenson was sidelined. Due to the nature of how Henderson has broken out, it raises the question of what Stevenson's role will be when he returns. At this time, it's too early to assume that Henderson will completely take over, given Patriots' head coach Mike Vrabel's feelings about Stevenson in the running game. Still, Henderson may be forcing Vrabel's hand in making him the starter, given the results he has put up over the past two weeks. Regardless, Henderson clearly has the upside over Stevenson and appears to be the running back you want in New England, but given the overall effectiveness of the Patriots' offense, whoever gets a majority of the touches will be fantasy relevant.