Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. has had a strong training camp and preseason, which ultimately led to his inclusion on the final roster. Rodriguez could play a significant role as the primary early-down back in Week 1 against the Giants. He proved to be up to the task in his small sample of touches last season, leading all running backs with at least 25 rushes in Success Rate at 57%. His peripherals are all very encouraging, and then he showed up to camp after off-season training with a transformed body, looking faster and leaner. The results have been positive with him reaching 20 MPH in practice more times this year than ever before, including on a breakaway run against the Bengals in Washington's second preseason game. The backfield will be by committee, and there is a lot of uncertainty for how it will all shake out. Rodriguez is a worthwhile stash to hold through Week 1 to see what happens, but not a startable option.

From RotoBaller

Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. was deployed as the No. 4 option during the team drills on Wednesday. According to JP Finaly of NBC4, during a QB/RB drill, Rodriguez was the fourth running back to take the field. Veteran Austin Ekeler continued to slot in as the top option while Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Jeremy McNichols served as the No. 2 and No. 3 options. This situation is worth closely monitoring as Rodriguez was initially listed as the third option on the depth chart earlier in the week, but appears to have been jumped by the seventh-round rookie, Croskey-Merritt. Last season, Rodriguez had a limited role in the offense but showed potential at times, posting a strong 4.9 YPC. Given his unknown role in the season opener, he is best left for deeper 14+ team formats as a high-risk flex option.

From RotoBaller

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Dameon Pierce And More Moves To Make Before Week 1 Kendall Valenzuela jumps ahead to providing fantasy football waiver wire targets ahead of Week 1 of the NFL season, including Dameon Pierce. [Read More]

From FantasyLife

Josh Taylor of A to Z Sports thinks that Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury is likely to roll out running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. as the lead back in Week 1 of the regular season on Sunday against the division-rival New York Giants. Rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt has gotten a lot of hype this summer, but the Commanders could use a committee backfield approach involving Rodriguez, Croskey-Merritt, Austin Ekeler, receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. and quarterback Jayden Daniels. Rodriguez is an experienced back that has surprising speed in addition to being a power back. He ranked second in 2024 in PFF's elusive rating in fifth in yards after contact. It doesn't mean that Croskey-Merritt won't be a huge factor in 2025, though, and the Commanders haven't had a home run threat like him in a while. Rodriguez is rostered in 6% of Yahoo leagues and is worth watching if you already need RB depth.

From RotoBaller

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Dameon Pierce And More Moves To Make Before Week 1 Kendall Valenzuela jumps ahead to providing fantasy football waiver wire targets ahead of Week 1 of the NFL season, including Dameon Pierce. [Read More]

From FantasyLife

Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. worked on shedding weight to improve his speed this offseason. His efforts have seemingly paid off. The third-year professional, who didn't make the initial 53-man roster in 2024, impressed the Washington coaching staff enough that they were comfortable trading starter Brian Robinson Jr. According to The Athletic, Rodriguez went from 235 to 222 pounds and ran faster than 20 miles per hour "more times in training camp than I have in almost my whole life." Rodriguez projects to have a role in a three-man running back committee in Washington. Veteran Austin Ekeler and seventh-round rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt round out the trio. Rodriguez may get the fewest opportunities out of the three, but he is worth a late-round fantasy football draft selection to see how the division of labor plays out.

From RotoBaller

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Dameon Pierce And More Moves To Make Before Week 1 Kendall Valenzuela jumps ahead to providing fantasy football waiver wire targets ahead of Week 1 of the NFL season, including Dameon Pierce. [Read More]

From FantasyLife

Dynasty | Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez had 34 rushing yards in his final preseason game. Dynasty Analysis: The most notable part of this game was likely the fact both Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Austin Ekeler were inactive, possibly indicating they are now the top two running backs on the team. Rodriguez did a good job of making his own case for touches as he did his damage on just five carries. This backfield could end up being a bit of a jumbled mess, but Rodriguez is a player who could carve out a role and should be rostered in all leagues.

Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. rushed for 34 yards on five carries in the final preseason game against the Ravens. Rodriguez started the game and consistently picked up big chunks of yards. The 24-year-old finished the preseason averaging nearly seven yards per carry, with 17 rushes for 118 yards. Rodriguez fits the role of a hammer and short-yardage back that can get the tough yards, but also had gaudy production in the SEC at Kentucky. He averaged over 100 rushing yards per game in both of his last two seasons. Additionally, he's showing improved burst and explosiveness in camp this year, saying that he's already hit 20 MPH more times this year than all of last year, according to Hayley Salvatore of Commanders.com. Brian Robinson is now officially dealt to San Francisco, and Rodriguez is set to be in the mix for early down touches in the Washington backfield. Touchdowns will be the path to fantasy value for Rodriguez in what could be a murky backfield.

From RotoBaller

Dynasty | Chris Rodriguez has moved up the depth chart following the trade of Brian Robinson to the 49ers. Dynasty Analysis: While a lot of attention is being placed on Jacory Croskey-Merritt (and rightfully so), Rodriguez is going to have a role for the Commanders this season and his availability on waivers is likely a lot better. Coach Dan Quinn said just yesterday he's likely going to be the short yardage back and that's significant. Rodriguez has been effective in stretches and his ADP is undoubtedly going to start rising.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. will likely be used in short-yardage situations and at the goal line this season, according to Commanders head coach Dan Quinn. With Brian Robinson Jr. almost certainly on his way out in Washington, the team appears to be comfortable with a committee of Austin Ekeler, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Rodriguez Jr., and Jeremy McNichols at the running back position. In 22 career NFL games over the last two seasons, Rodriguez Jr. has 86 carries for 420 yards and four touchdowns. He could be worth a late-round dart throw in deep leagues given his presumed role and the opportunity to earn more touches in Washington.

From RotoBaller

Dynasty | Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez had 62 rushing yards on six carries in Monday's preseason game. Dynasty Analysis: With Brian Robinson apparently on the outs, Rodriguez started the game and proceeded to rip off a 40-yard carry on the game's first drive. Robinson is likely to be traded in the coming days and Rodriguez certainly stated a strong case to be part of the mix. While the Commanders are likely to go with some kind of rotation featuring Rodriguez, Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Austin Ekeler, Rodriguez undoubtedly needs to be rostered in dynasty leagues.

Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. rushed for 62 yards on six carries Monday night against the Bengals. Rodriguez ripped off a 40-yard run on Washington's opening drive, with the offensive line executing perfectly and him bursting through the hole. Rodriguez is a downhill runner who consistently falls forward and gains yards after contact. In a small sample of 35 carries last season, he led all running backs in success rate and ranked fifth in yards after contact per attempt. The Kentucky product profiles as an early down, hammer back that should be a good eventual replacement for Brian Robinson in Washington. He should now have a solid chance of sticking on the 53-man roster and complements Austin Ekeler and Jacory Croskey-Merritt well. Rodriguez is worth monitoring in deep leagues and as the Washington backfield gets sorted out.

From RotoBaller