Who Should I Start? Austin Ekeler or RJ Harvey

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, November 27, 10:36 AM

Denver Broncos rookie running back R.J. Harvey played a season-high 60.7% of the snaps in Week 11 against the Kansas City Chiefs, but had underwhelming production with 11 carries for 30 yards to go with three receptions (three targets) for 20 yards as a receiver. In the first game without J.K. Dobbins (foot), the rookie second-rounder handled the bulk of the running back touches, which bodes well for his rest of season outlook. Jaleel McLaughin's involvement near the goal line could limit the upside as he took two of the three carries inside the 10 and scored a touchdown against the Chiefs, but we'll need to see more than one game to determine that. Harvey has the explosiveness and receiving ability to be impactful in fantasy down the stretch, and he gets a prime matchup in Week 13 against the Washington Commanders.