Tag: chris rodriguez

Fantasy football waiver wire: Week 17 free-agent forecast

Check out the top waiver wire targets in fantasy football for Week 17.

The majority of fantasy football leagues come to an end this week. It has been a long and grueling process to the point, and most of us have been left with disappointment with championship week upon us.

However, there are still plenty of vital matchups taking place, and the waiver wire should be a busy marketplace in Week 17 after the events that unfolded on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Before we get to it, I’d like to thank you for sticking with us all season. We wouldn’t be here without the readers, and even though the suggestions haven’t always worked out, we’re appreciative of the time you’ve spent with us this season.

We’ll be taking a look at the top available players rostered in Yahoo leagues, using the 75% rostered mark as the threshold. If you have any questions about prioritizing a certain player over another, don’t be afraid to hit me up on X, formerly Twitter, (@KevinHickey11). Your questions and comments are always welcome!

Because it’s Week 17, there is no need for stashing players so we’ll only look at the top streaming options for the upcoming week along with the top waiver adds.

Fantasy football waiver wire recommendations refer to 12-team league formats, unless specifically stated.

Check back for any updates throughout Monday and Tuesday as more injury news becomes available.

Commanders RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. a bright spot from another ugly loss

Chris Rodriguez continues to shine when he receives opportunities.

We’ve heard from the moment Washington drafted him in April that everyone loved rookie running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. A productive, multi-year starter for Kentucky in the SEC, Rodriguez does everything well.

He impressed the Commanders throughout the offseason but was behind Brian Robinson Jr. and Antonio Gibson on the depth chart.

Throughout the season, Rodriguez received opportunities and delivered. But Robinson was having an outstanding season, and Gibson was thriving in his role.

When Robinson was injured in Week 13, Rodriguez was ready for an expanded role. He received 10 carries in last week’s loss to the Rams.

In Week 16, Rodriguez again received 10 carries. This time, he rushed for a career-high 58 yards, averaging almost six yards per attempt, and scored the first two touchdowns of his career.

Check out this run from Rodriguez on his first touchdown.

Rodriguez runs with excellent vision, power and patience. While he may not be the most physically gifted in terms of breakaway ability, Rodriguez keeps his legs moving and almost always gets positive yardage.

And when he scored his first career touchdown, Robinson greeted him on the sideline.

Afterward, Rodriguez discussed his celebration, which he planned ahead of time.

“First thing talking to [Assistant RBs] Coach [Jennifer] King, we talked about what you’re going to do for your first celebration, and we practiced,” Rodriguez said.

“I practiced and had some thought about it, and she was like, ‘Listen, you’re doing all of this; once you score, you’re not going to know what to do.’ Sure enough, when I got in there, I didn’t know what to do but shout out to the O-line. If it wasn’t for them, I probably would’ve came up a little short. With the ball, I don’t know what I really going to do with it yet. Probably keep it, but hopefully, it’s plenty more to come.”

The Commanders certainly hope there are plenty more to come, too.

A comedy of errors for the Commanders in first half of Week 16 game vs. Jets

The Commanders had an unbelievably bad start against the Jets — even for them. Here’s a look.

The Washington Commanders are a bad football team. This much we knew ahead of Sunday’s Week 16 game against the New York Jets.

The Jets, meanwhile, aren’t very good, either. New York does have a talented, young defense but struggles to score points with quarterback Aaron Rodgers lost for the season.

Entering Sunday’s game, the Jets had only scored one touchdown in the first quarter all season. Five minutes into the game, New York held a 17-0 lead over the Commanders.

How did we get there?

Let’s look at some of Washington’s follies throughout the first half of its game against the Jets.

The Commanders would eventually turn things around in the second half before losing on a last-second field goal, 30-28.

Let’s go back and review some of Washington’s first-half follies. By the way, these are only some of Washington’s mistakes, as there were far too many to follow.

WATCH: Jacoby Brissett leads Commanders on 3 straight touchdown drives

Jacoby Brissett led an impressive comeback but the Commanders fall short.

With the Washington Commanders trailing 27-7 midway through the third quarter, head coach Ron Rivera had seen enough and benched quarterback Sam Howell for the second consecutive week.

Enter Jacoby Brissett.

After a Cody Barton interception, the veteran signal-caller took advantage of excellent field position on his first drive, throwing a dart to tight end Logan Thomas for a 15-yard touchdown to cut New York’s lead to 27-14.

Here’s that touchdown pass.

After the defense forced a punt, Brissett and the offense went back to work. Brissett marched the Commanders down the field and into a goal-to-go situation. From there, rookie running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. scored his second touchdown of the day, cutting the Jets’ lead to 27-21 with around nine minutes remaining in the game.

Washington’s defense again forced a punt.

Brissett led yet another scoring drive for the Commanders, but mostly behind a defensive penalty and the running game. This time, Antonio Gibson scored a short touchdown, and suddenly, after Joey Slye’s PAT, the Commanders had the lead.

New York had two more opportunities, and kicker Greg Zuerlein took advantage of the Jets’ final chance, drilling a 54-yard field goal with five seconds remaining to give New York a 30-28 victory.

 

Commanders will be without RB Brian Robinson Jr. in Week 15 vs. Rams

Brian Robinson will miss his first game of the season on Sunday.

The Washington Commanders will be without leading rusher Brian Robinson Jr. for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams.

Robinson, who injured his hamstring in the Week 13 loss to the Miami Dolphins, didn’t practice this week and will miss his first game this season.

Robinson leads Washington with 664 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. He is averaging 4.2 yards per attempt. Robinson has also made an impact in the passing game, catching 29 passes for 326 yards and three touchdowns.

Antonio Gibson has shared backfield duties with Robinson this season and played well. Gibson has looked even better recently.

Rookie Chris Rodriguez Jr. could also see plenty of time. Rodriguez has impressed with every opportunity, and Sunday’s game could be an audition for him for 2024. Gibson is a free agent at the end of the season.

Veteran Jonathan Williams will be activated from the practice squad to serve as Washington’s third running back on Sunday.

“Jonathan Williams will be up as well; we’ll elevate him shortly,” Rivera said Friday. “We like all three guys [RB Antonio Gibson and RB Chris Rodriguez Jr.]. I mean [if] J-Will, hadn’t gotten hurt, would’ve been a tough decision that we’d have to make, but he’s got an opportunity again to show us his value for us. So, we feel good about the three of them.”

The Commanders are a touchdown underdog to the Rams on Sunday.

4 keys to victory for the Commanders in Week 8 vs. Eagles

Here are four things the Commanders must do in order to upset the Eagles in Week 8.

Unbelievably, it’s time for the rematch between the Washington Commanders (3-4) and the Philadelphia Eagles (6-1). The two longtime NFC East rivals last met only four weeks ago in Philly, with the Eagles escaping with a 34-31 win over Washington.

Commanders quarterback Sam Howell was outstanding in Week 4, completing 29 of 41 passes for 290 yards and two touchdowns. Howell went toe-to-toe with Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts, leading the Commanders to a touchdown as time expired in regulation. Howell made a beautiful throw to wide receiver Terry McLaurin in overtime that was ruled incomplete. Had it been ruled complete on the field, the Commanders may have may have defeated the Eagles on that day.

As for the rematch, Commanders enter Sunday having lost four of their last five games.

What does Washington need to do in order to pull off the upset?

We’ve identified four keys to victory in Week 8.

WATCH: Commanders running backs take pass protection seriously

The Commanders running backs “put on a clinic” in pass protection against the Ravens.

How many running backs will the Washington Commanders keep on their 53-man roster next week?

We know Brian Robinson Jr. and Antonio Gibson are safe. If we are to by preseason usage, Robinson and Gibson are more like 1a and 1b rather than Gibson being used exclusively as a third-down back.

Rookie sixth-round pick Chris Rodriguez Jr. is likely safe as the third running back. Outside of his fumble against Baltimore, Rodriguez has been outstanding, averaging six rushing yards per attempt in the preseason.

Then there is Jonathan Williams and Jaret Patterson. Williams is in his third stint with Washington. The veteran delivers every time the coaches call his number. Patterson enters his third season with the Commanders after entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2021. Patterson had a terrific touchdown reception in Monday’s game.

Will Washington keep four backs? If so, who is the fourth back?

If the Commanders do keep a fourth back, pass protection could be the key to making the roster. And if we learned anything from Monday night’s preseason win over the Ravens, the Commanders were in midseason form protecting the quarterback.

Here’s a compilation of some of that work from Monday’s game, courtesy of Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post.

Here’s a closer look at Williams leveling a Baltimore defender.

That type of work in pass protection is a mindset. And offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy — a former NFL running back — couldn’t be more pleased.

 

It was an impressive debut for Commanders rookie RB Chris Rodriguez Jr.

Rodriguez was one of the league’s more impressive young backs in the first week of preseason action.

It was an impressive preseason debut for Washington Commanders rookie running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. in Friday’s preseason opener.

Rodriguez, Washington’s No. 3 running back behind Brian Robinson Jr. and Antonio Gibson, was on the field for 12 plays against the Cleveland Browns in the opener. Rodriguez had five carries for 39 yards, averaging 7.9 yards per attempt, with a long of 12 yards.

In watching Rodriguez, it’s not the stats that stand out. Rodriguez runs with power and has excellent vision. You see it each time he carries the football. According to Pro Football Focus, Rodriguez earned the third-highest grade for a Washington offensive player vs. the Browns.

Analytics guru Warren Sharp pointed out an impressive stat regarding Rodriguez from early in the preseason. On 80% of Rodriguez’s rushing attempts, he has rushed for five or more yards. Rodriguez has five rushing attempts, which means four of his attempts have gone for five yards or more.

It’s the highest percentage in the preseason thus far.

The Commanders are excited about Rodriguez. He will find a role on the 2023 roster, despite being behind Robinson and Gibson. Rodriguez’s style will wear down opposing defenses, some even comparing his style to Marshawn Lynch.

Rodriguez’s usage over the next two preseason games should be intriguing to follow. He’s making the roster. How much does head coach Ron Rivera think he needs to play?

Commanders 2023 training camp roundup: Highlights and videos from Day 7

A roundup of highlights and notes from those in attendance at Day 7 of Commanders training camp.

Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy was in no mood to play Wednesday. It was Washington’s second day of practicing in pads on Day 7 of training camp, and referees were on hand.

The Commanders are still in the middle of learning Bieniemy’s new offense, which features plenty of shifts and motions. Since there were officials at practice, that led to some pre-snap penalties.

Bieniemy was none too pleased with his unit.

Washington’s defense held the advantage for much of Wednesday’s practice.

What else happened Wednesday? We offered our takeaways earlier, but here are some of the top highlights/videos from some of those in attendance from Day 7 of training camp in Ashburn.

Commanders’ training camp: Takeaways and observations from Day 7

Another day in pads. Some takeaways from Day 7.

The Washington Commanders were in pads for the second day in a row on Day 7 of training camp Wednesday.

On Tuesday, the offense had some positive moments, including a big catch from wide receiver Terry McLaurin. For the most part, though, Tuesday’s practice was even.

On Wednesday, the advantage went back to the defense. Washington’s defense bottled up the running game for the most part, frustrating the offense, which led to a minor scuffle.

Here are some notes and observations from Day 7.