Who Should I Start? Austin Ekeler or Trey Benson

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.

Monday, November 10, 9:48 AM

Arizona Cardinals' second-year running back out of Florida State, Trey Benson (knee), has missed the last five games with a knee injury, and remains one of, if not the best, IR stash for the 2025 fantasy football rest of season rankings. Benson became the starting running back for the Cardinals in Week 4 after James Conner (foot) was injured and was reported to miss the remainder of the 2025 campaign. Benson had shown flashes of success in his limited snap share with Conner, averaging 5.52 YPC through three games on 21 carries. Bam Knight and Emari Demercado are getting the bulk of the workload right now, but neither has done enough to run away with the job. Benson, upon his return, will immediately provide fantasy managers who held on with RB2 value.