Since losing Austin Ekeler (Achilles) for the season in Week 2, Chris Rodriguez ($4,100) has started in each of the past two games for the Commanders, but he has only scored 3.9 and 5.9 FPTS in these two contests. Rodriguez has seen 11 and seven carries in these two games while logging 35.6% of the snaps. This has been 46.2% of the total running back carries for Washington and the 25-year-old has seen a team-high four red-zone rushes. However, Rodriguez has been a complete non-factor in the passing game, which has really hurt his fantasy value. Rodriguez has seen no targets in these last two games and has run a route on just 20% of his team’s dropbacks.
While Jacory Croskey-Merritt ($5,100) has seen less ground work than Rodriguez since Ekeler went down, Croskey-Merritt and Rodriguez are even with 18 touches apiece these last two weeks. However, Croskey-Merritt being more of a factor as a receiver and him finding the paydirt once has resulted in him being the better fantasy asset of the two Washington backs.
During this two-game stretch, Croskey-Merritt has scored 10.1 and 7.7 FPTs. The rookie has seen eight and seven carries, including two redzone carries, while logging 37.4% of the snaps. As a receiver, Croskey-Merritt has seen three targets while running a route on 26% of his team’s dropbacks and garnering a target on 21% of those routes.
As you can see, Croskey-Merritt and Rodriguez are essentially in an even split right now. Neither is an exciting fantasy option, but if forced to choose one for Week 5 vs. the Chargers, you have to give the edge to Croskey-Merritt. As three-point road underdogs for this matchup on DraftKings Sportsbook, the Commanders could be forced to rely on their passing game more than usual, which sets up better for Croskey-Merritt given the utilization as a pass catcher.
