Commanders HC Dan Quinn said Thursday that RB Chris Rodriguez will likely be the team's short-yardage and goal-line back with RB Brian Robinson headed out of town. "Chris has that tackle-breaking ability, especially in a small space," Quinn said.
2025 Fantasy Football Impact
Robinson last year accounted for:
- 13 carries inside the five-yard line
- 8.9 expected rushing TDs
- 8 actual rushing TDs
The goal-line role for this still-ascending Washington offense is a valuable one.
Rodriguez has four TDs on 86 carries through two NFL seasons, including converting two of five carries inside the five-yard line into scores. He hit pay dirt 32 times over his final four college seasons and goes 6'0 and 217 pounds. He has nine pounds on RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt and 17 on RB Austin Ekeler.
We're still deciphering exactly what this Commanders backfield will look like this season. We're expecting Rodriguez, Croskey-Merritt, and Ekeler to be involved.
Rodriguez is least exciting in fantasy drafts right now. But if he can control goal-line carries and see ample work on early downs, he could emerge as a RB3 or Flex option, especially in non-PPR leagues.