Who Should I Start? Chris Rodriguez Jr. or Jase McClellan

Tuesday, August 27, 7:35 PM

The Washington Commanders released running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. on Tuesday, according to source. Rodriguez didn't survive cutdown day after the Commanders added Austin Ekeler in free agency in the offseason. The 23-year-old former sixth-round selection last year out of Kentucky finds himself on the open market now after carrying the ball 51 times for 247 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games in his rookie season in 2023. He added only two receptions for 12 yards. In the end, Rodriguez lost out on the competition for the No. 3 role behind Brian Robinson Jr. and Ekeler to Jeremy McNichols. If the power back doesn't get picked up by another team in search for RB depth, it's possible that Rodriguez will stay in D.C. on the team's practice squad. Before suffering an ankle injury, Rodriguez had a nice little five-game stretch in which he averaged 37.2 yards per game.

Sunday, August 25, 1:15 PM

Atlanta Falcons rookie sixth-round running back Jase McClellan (undisclosed) has been banged up the past few weeks in training camp but should make the final 53-man roster as a fourth running back. The former Alabama product carried the ball four times for 12 yards and added an 11-yard catch on his only target in the team's preseason finale on Friday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 22-year-old picked up 55 rushing yards last week against the Baltimore Ravens and looks lined up as the team's RB4 behind Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allgeier and Carlos Washington. McClellan fell to the sixth round in April because of a foot injury that cut his final season short at Alabama last year. His skill set doesn't particularly stand out, but McClellan is a well-rounded rookie that will give Atlanta depth at the position. McClellan is only worth stashing in deep dynasty/keeper leagues.