Who Should I Start? Austin Ekeler or Zach Charbonnet

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.

Wednesday, October 15, 11:29 AM

The Seattle Seahawks believe running backs Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet "complement each other well" and will "continue to vary their usage according to their weekly game plan and opponent," according to ESPN's Dan Graziano. Through six weeks, Walker III has recorded 425 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns on 86 total touches, while Charbonnet has logged 186 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns on 64 total touches. As long as both backs are healthy, it appears it will remain difficult for fantasy managers to fully trust either one for high-end fantasy production. In Week 7 against the Houston Texans, Walker III profiles as a low-end RB2 while Charbonnet profiles as a low-end flex option.