Who Should I Start? Chris Rodriguez Jr. or Audric Estime

Saturday, August 23, 11:19 PM

Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. rushed for 34 yards on five carries in the final preseason game against the Ravens. Rodriguez started the game and consistently picked up big chunks of yards. The 24-year-old finished the preseason averaging nearly seven yards per carry, with 17 rushes for 118 yards. Rodriguez fits the role of a hammer and short-yardage back that can get the tough yards, but also had gaudy production in the SEC at Kentucky. He averaged over 100 rushing yards per game in both of his last two seasons. Additionally, he's showing improved burst and explosiveness in camp this year, saying that he's already hit 20 MPH more times this year than all of last year, according to Hayley Salvatore of Commanders.com. Brian Robinson is now officially dealt to San Francisco, and Rodriguez is set to be in the mix for early down touches in the Washington backfield. Touchdowns will be the path to fantasy value for Rodriguez in what could be a murky backfield.

Wednesday, August 27, 5:32 PM

The Philadelphia Eagles signed former Denver Broncos running back Audric Estime to their practice squad on Wednesday, sources told Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. Estime was on the open market after failing to make the Broncos' 53-man roster in a backfield that includes rookie RJ Harvey, veteran J.K. Dobbins, Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie. In Philadelphia, he'll start on the practice squad for the reigning Super Bowl champions while providing depth behind Saquon Barkley, Will Shipley and AJ Dillon. He's still very young at 21 years old and was selected in the fifth round (147th overall) last year out of Notre Dame. Estime got a little bit of run in his first NFL season with Denver, carrying the ball 76 times for 310 yards (4.1 yards per carry) and two touchdowns in 13 regular-season games (one start). He can be avoided in all fantasy leagues for now.