Who Should I Start? Austin Ekeler or Saquon Barkley

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.

Tuesday, December 9, 12:17 AM

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley handled 20 carries for 122 yards and a touchdown while adding zero catches on two targets in Monday night's 22-19 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Barkley scored the only touchdown of the night for the Eagles on a 52-yard run to begin the fourth quarter. The star running back notched his second 100-yard outing and second-longest run of the season on Monday night, with both previous marks coming back in Week 8 against his former team, the New York Giants. The 28-year-old has been disappointing for fantasy managers who spent an early first-round pick on him, but he'll look to build on this performance for the rest of the season with several favorable matchups on deck. Next up will be a home date in Week 15 versus the Las Vegas Raiders.