Who Should I Start? Jeremy McNichols or Jaylen Wright

Monday, April 1, 2:02 PM

The Washington Commanders signed free-agent running back Jeremy McNichols to an undisclosed deal on Monday. McNichols spent most of last year on the San Francisco 49ers' practice squad but did play a special teams role in three regular-season games. The former fifth-round pick (162nd overall) by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2017 out of Boise State will serve as running back depth in Washington behind Austin Ekeler, Brian Robinson Jr. and Chris Rodriguez Jr. There's a good chance the 28-year-old will be on the team's practice squad to begin the 2024 regular season if he isn't cut after training camp and the preseason. In his six NFL seasons with four different teams, McNichols has only 90 carries for 364 yards and one rushing touchdown, adding 40 receptions for 295 yards and an additional score in 37 games (zero starts).

Thursday, September 12, 7:16 PM

After being a healthy scratch in the Week 1 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins rookie running back Jaylen Wright is active in Week 2 against the division-rival Buffalo Bills on Thursday night. It comes after Raheem Mostert (chest) was ruled out on Wednesday. De'Von Achane (ankle) was also listed as questionable, but he is officially active. Achane should be Miami's lead back on Thursday with Mostert sidelined, but Miami figures to mix in Jeff Wilson Jr. and Wright as well as change-of-pace backs. It's unclear how many snaps and touches all three backs will split, but Wright is at least intriguing as a boom/bust flex play if you're already hurting at the RB position early on. The 21-year-old fourth-round speedster needs to at least be stashed in most fantasy formats, especially if you have Achane or Mostert rostered.