Who Should I Start? Jeremy McNichols or Rasheen Ali

Tuesday, March 11, 4:37 PM

The Washington Commanders are re-signing running back Jeremy McNichols to an undisclosed one-year deal on Tuesday, a source tells ESPN's John Keim. Although McNichols wasn't on the fantasy radar at all last year in his first year in D.C., he was a valuable member of the team's RB room as a backup for his blitz pickups while also contributing a career-high 267 rushing yards and a career-high four rushing touchdowns on 55 carries over 17 regular-season games (one start). He also had nine catches for 27 yards and added nine yards and a touchdown on five carries in three playoff games. With both Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler returning to the Commanders' backfield in 2025, McNichols will open the year as the No. 3 RB and will have a bigger role on special teams as a return man. The 29-year-old has only 625 rushing yards and five rushing TDs on 145 carries over seven NFL seasons.

Saturday, August 23, 3:49 PM

Baltimore Ravens running back Rasheen Ali showcased some versatility for the team in the 30-3 preseason victory over the Washington Commanders. Ali registered nine carries for 36 yards and a touchdown, adding five receptions for 16 yards. The second-year pick out of Marshall is currently listed as the RB4 on the depth chart, battling for a roster spot with D'Ernest Johnson, who also had a productive game. Despite this productive outing, he doesn't currently offer any fantasy value, and this preseason performance shouldn't have a significant impact on fantasy managers' draft decisions heading into Baltimore's Week 1 Sunday Night Football clash with the Buffalo Bills.