Who Should I Start? Austin Ekeler or Woody Marks

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.

Friday, December 12, 9:57 PM

Houston Texans running back Woody Marks (knee) missed some practice earlier this week but does not have an injury designation and is ready to go for the Texans' Week 15 matchup against Arizona. The Cardinals have allowed 18 running back touchdowns in 13 games, including eight in the last four weeks. Marks could get more of the workload with Nick Chubb (ribs, questionable) banged up. Marks checks in as the No. 17 RB in RotoBaller's Week 15 rankings, so he's a strong RB2 play this week after setting a new career-high with 26 carries last week. He scored his fifth touchdown of the season in the Texans' win over the Chiefs, and he has a much better matchup this week, giving him a good ceiling, especially if he gets all the work in this favorable matchup. He crushed the Titans as the focal point of the offense in a similar scenario earlier this season, and he's a strong start in Week 15.