Who Should I Start? Chris Rodriguez Jr. or Braelon Allen

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.

Sunday, August 17, 4:36 AM

New York Jets running back Braelon Allen rushed seven times for 34 yards in his team's 31-12 preseason loss to the New York Giants. Allen and teammate Breece Hall again evenly rotated in with the starting offense on the field, though the latter out-touched him 7-to-4 and picked up the only target between them. However, the Wisconsin alum seemed to be the preferred option in short-yardage situations. It's unknown if that was by happenstance or if head coach Aaron Glenn schemed it up. If that was the plan, it could mean that Allen will be the goal-line back come the regular season. He's the more imposing rusher of the two -- and looked more explosive on Saturday -- but it's fair to wonder how much that role will mean with the threat of quarterback Justin Fields vulturing a touchdown alive and well. In all, this situation is fluid and portends to be a frustrating one for fantasy managers. Allen and the rest of the starters will likely get a little longer of a look next Friday when they face the Philadelphia Eagles at home in their preseason finale.