Who Should I Start? Austin Ekeler or Tyler Allgeier

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 27, 4:51 PM

Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier tied a season high with 16 rush attempts last week, totaling 79 yards on the ground (4.9 yards per rush). Without recording a touchdown, though, and recording one catch for negative six yards left him with a disappointing line for fantasy. Although the 25-year-old has eight touchdowns on the season, he's very susceptible to quiet outings and has not scored in three consecutive games now. It could be tough sledding in Week 17's Monday night home matchup against the Rams, a defense that has allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs and just 92.7 rush yards per game over the last three weeks (fifth-fewest). As 7.5-point underdogs, the Falcons may need to take to the air, which could limit Allgeier's potential involvement, so he'll once again be a risky Flex play in what is likely the championship round for season-long fantasy managers.