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.

Sunday, October 26, 9:18 PM

Denver Broncos rookie running back R.J. Harvey had the best game of his young NFL career in Week 8 against the Dallas Cowboys, recording 51 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns on eight total touches. Harvey had been held to 57 scrimmage yards and one touchdown over his last three games combined entering Week 8, so his outburst is a welcome sign for fantasy managers. Still, there's reason to doubt that Harvey's big game is a sign of things to come. Veteran Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins still earned more than double Harvey's touches (17 to eight) against Dallas. Additionally, outside of a 40-yard run, Harvey recorded just 11 yards on his other seven touches combined. The Broncos have a much tougher matchup in Week 9 against the Houston Texans, which may mean Harvey will remain tough for fantasy managers to trust as a starter.