Who Should I Start? Austin Ekeler or Tyjae Spears

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, December 13, 10:54 AM

Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears remains firmly on the fantasy radar as an RB3/flex option in full-PPR leagues ahead of Sunday's Week 15 contest against the San Francisco 49ers. Spears lost key volume to Tony Pollard (25 carries, 161 yards, two touchdowns) last week, but he still maintained a sizable role on passing downs. He has at least three targets in all eight of his games this season, and he's averaging an impressive 4.3 catches per game over the last four weeks. Spears' impressive pass-catching volume has allowed him to rank as the overall RB34 in fantasy points per game since Week 6 (minimum four games played). This week, he takes on a 49ers defense that has struggled against pass-catching backs. Specifically, the Niners have allowed the most catches, eighth-most receiving yards, and eighth-most receiving touchdowns to opposing running backs in 2025. While Pollard has generated most of the buzz after last week's big game, Spears should be the name to get excited about in this backfield, given how often pass-catching backs excel against this 49ers run defense. Spears should be viewed as a strong RB3/flex option in Week 15.