Who Should I Start? Chris Rodriguez Jr. or Chris Brooks

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.

Saturday, August 23, 8:08 PM

Green Bay Packers running back Chris Brooks was the second back to enter the game for the Packers in their 20-7 victory over the Seattle Seahawks in their third and final preseason game. Brooks took over duties after Josh Jacobs received the first two snaps of the game. Playing seven snaps of his own, Brooks exited and gave way to Emanuel Wilson. In Brooks' seven snaps across the last play of the first drive and the first six plays of the next drive, Brooks took four carries for 15 yards. With the injury to MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring) putting his Week 1 status in doubt, Brooks' entrance into the game ahead of Wilson seems to put Brooks as the preferred contingent play in Week 1 should Lloyd not be healthy. That said, Brooks should only be drafted in the deepest of leagues as a pure handcuff option.