Who Should I Start? Austin Ekeler or Tahj Brooks

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, November 15, 12:50 PM

Cincinnati Bengals running back Tahj Brooks hasn't done much of anything in his inaugural year. He had the chance to at least claim the No. 2 spot on the depth chart behind Chase Brown. While that wasn't expected early in the season, most had assumed he'd take over as the backup by now. However, that hasn't happened, with Samaje Perine (ankle) still absorbing nearly all of Brown's surplus carries while seeing limited action as a pass-catcher. With Perine ruled out for the Week 11 AFC North battle with the Pittsburgh Steelers, there's potential for Brooks to get more involved. Unfortunately, Brooks likely won't see much more work, if any, which isn't good news for those in need of a deep league streaming option on Sunday. For now, the rookie should be stashed on dynasty rosters while having virtually no redraft value.