Who Should I Start? Derrick Henry or Austin Ekeler

Saturday, October 11, 9:58 AM

Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry continues to see his fantasy value diminish each week. In half-PPR formats, he's finished in RB1 territory only one time and has scored double-digit fantasy points twice. He only has one more touchdown than he does fumbles, and he still doesn't play any part in the passing game. Their opponent, the Los Angeles Rams, is currently ranked as the third-toughest team against running backs in fantasy as they give up just 15.56 fantasy points per matchup. They held Christian McCaffrey to 57 yards on 22 carries and Saquon Barkley to 46 yards on 18 carries. That combined with the Ravens' offensive line issues and fullback Patrick Ricard (calf) still sidelined, means Henry is projected to finish around RB19.

Monday, September 22, 12:34 PM

Although Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. wasn't all that efficient (3.5 yards per carry) in his 2025 debut in the team's 41-24 blowout win over the visiting Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, he did lead the team with 11 carries. Rodriguez was a healthy scratch the first two weeks, but he was elevated to the active roster for Week 3 after Austin Ekeler tore his Achilles in Week 2. The 24-year-old ran for 39 yards on his 11 carries and was not utilized in the passing game. Rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt was second on the team with eight carries, and he, too, was inefficient with just 26 yards on the ground. Jeremy McNichols and quarterback Marcus Mariota combined for 10 rushing attempts and two touchdowns against the Raiders. Croskey-Merritt has the most upside in the Commanders' backfield moving forward with Ekeler done for the year, but Rodriguez is worth a waiver-wire pickup if you have JCM rostered or are looking for RB depth. Rodriguez is currently rostered in only 5% of Yahoo leagues.