Who Should I Start? Austin Ekeler or Tyrone Tracy Jr.

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 20, 10:24 AM

New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. posted his best fantasy performance of the season in Week 15's loss to the Washington Commanders, handling 15 rushes for 70 yards and a touchdown to go with three catches (four targets) for 27 yards and another score as a receiver. The second-year back played his highest snap share (76.1%) of the season, while veteran Devin Singletary played his lowest (23.9%) since Cam Skattebo (ankle) went down for the season in Week 8. Tracy has recorded at least 15 touches in four of the past five games and has delivered solid results for fantasy managers, averaging 15.7 PPR points per game and ranking as the RB12 in that span. He profiles as a solid RB2 again for Week 16's matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, who have allowed the ninth-most rushing yards per game this season.