Who Should I Start? Chris Rodriguez Jr. or Kyle Monangai

Thursday, September 11, 7:06 PM

Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. is a healthy inactive for the second straight week to open the season in 2025 on Thursday Night Football against the Green Bay Packers. There were rumblings at the end of training camp that Rodriguez could have a significant early-down role alongside rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt after the team traded Brian Robinson Jr. to the San Francisco 49ers, but that has not been the case. The 24-year-old RB has opened the year as the No. 4 behind Croskey-Merritt, veteran Austin Ekeler, and Jeremy McNichols. JCR has the most upside of any back in Washington's offense as the favorite for most of the early down work, while Ekeler has flex appeal in point-per-reception leagues. At least for another week, Rodriguez belongs on the waiver wire in 12-team fantasy formats.

Saturday, September 13, 2:27 PM

Chicago Bears rookie running back Kyle Monangai has "earned the faith" of the Bears coaches, according to Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic. Monangai did not record a carry in Chicago's Week 1 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, but Bears head coach Ben Johnson said that he needs to call more run plays in future games. Bears RB1 D'Andre Swift struggled to be efficient against Minnesota, averaging just 3.1 yards per carry. Monangai does not appear to be a serious threat to Swift in the short term. Still, he could be a late-season breakout candidate for fantasy managers to monitor if Chicago continues to struggle to move the ball on the ground.