Chris Rodriguez

Rodriguez is listed at the top of the RotoWire depth chart ahead of Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Jeremy McNichols, and Chase Edmonds, with Austin Ekeler on IR. However, Croskey-Merritt went off for 105 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries versus Dallas when Rodriguez was out, showing Croskey-Merritt is a legitimate threat to Rodriguez's workload.

The Commanders, picking seventh overall, may be in a prime spot to draft star running back prospect Jeremiyah Love, which could severely diminish Rodriguez's role.

Rodriguez is a restricted free agent in 2026, creating roster uncertainty as Washington could choose not to tender him or only provide a minimal tender given the crowded backfield and potential draft investments.

Washington holds the 7th overall pick and Jeremiyah Love is widely mocked to the Commanders in round one, which would immediately relegate Rodriguez to a backup/committee role and tank his dynasty value.

Tuten is Jacksonville's designated feature back; Rodriguez slots in as the early-down complement in a defined 3-man committee alongside pass-catching specialist LeQuint Allen Jr., structurally capping his weekly touch ceiling regardless of individual performance.

Three separate ailments in 2025 (calf Week 6, groin Week 15, illness Week 17) limited him to 12 games and contributed directly to Washington's non-tender decision; the multi-ailment pattern is a soft red flag for a 26-year-old entering a volume-capped committee role.

Jaguars HC Liam Coen was Rodriguez's OC at Kentucky in 2021, where Rodriguez rushed for 1,000+ yards. This pre-existing chemistry gives Rodriguez an edge in earning trust and touches that a typical free-agent signing wouldn't have.

Rodriguez won the lead role late in the 2025 season, having double-digit carries or a touchdown in each of his last seven games, demonstrating he can handle a featured role when given the opportunity.

Travis Etienne signed with New Orleans on a 4-year, $52M deal, vacating the true lead-back role in Jacksonville's offense. Rodriguez arrives into a legitimately open backfield rather than behind an entrenched starter.

Travis Etienne departed on a 4-year, $52M deal with New Orleans, vacating the feature back role in a Jacksonville offense built to run; Rodriguez is one Tuten injury or disappointing performance stretch away from inheriting a legitimate bellcow opportunity.

At dynasty value (Tier 6), Rodriguez is being priced as a late-roster depth piece despite a real coaching bond and a committed 2-year contract; the market is discounting his upside in a way that creates a favorable acquisition price for patient managers.