Should You Start Brian Robinson Jr. or Chris Rodriguez Jr. in Fantasy Football Week 8?

In the Washington Commanders‘ backfield, is Brian Robinson Jr. on the way out, while Chris Rodriguez Jr. is on the way in? In terms of picking a Washington running back to start on your fantasy team, it’s something to keep in mind for this week. Let’s take a look at the fantasy outlook for each player.

Fantasy Outlook for Brian Robinson Jr. This Week

It’s really difficult to pinpoint just when things fell apart for Robinson this season. Over his first three games, he was putting up numbers, just as he did in his impressive rookie season last year. Through the first three games, Robinson was averaging almost 16 carries a game (15.7) and 72 rush yards per game.

Combine that with his receiving yards (16.3), and you’re looking at nearly 90 total yards a game for the sophomore back.

Beginning with Week 4 against the Philadelphia Eagles — Washington’s opponent this week, by the way — Robinson’s production has fallen off.

Way off — way, way off.

Over his last four games, Robinson is averaging less than 10 carries a game (9.5) and less than 30 rushing yards (27.3). The last time the Commanders were at home, Week 5 against the Bears, Robinson finished with more than three times as many receiving yards (33) as rushing yards — 10 on just six carries.

MORE: 2023 RB Fantasy Football Rankings

The biggest thing working in Robinson’s favor if you’re trying to decide whether to put him in the starting lineup on your fantasy team is the scoring. Despite it all, Robinson continues to get in the end zone.

Robinson has six total touchdowns on the season, and he has scored a touchdown in five of the Commanders’ seven games this season. The six touchdowns are already twice as many as he had as a rookie in 12 games last year.

Fantasy Outlook for Carlos Rodriguez Jr. This Week

Rodriguez, the rookie out of Kentucky, has been seeing more time on the field lately, but it has still been minor appearances, with last week being the most offensive snaps he’s seen in his NFL career (9).

The running back is definitely worth keeping an eye on as the season progresses. The Commanders have put the ball in his hands when he’s been on the field lately. In fact, over his last two games, he has been on the field for 15 total offensive snaps and has 11 carries in them.

Those 11 carries have also produced 54 rushing yards and 4.9 yards per carry. While it may not be enough to select him over Robinson this week, if the Commanders’ season continues to go south, they may want to give Rodriguez some added snaps and carries.

Which Commanders RB Should You Start?

PFN’s Fantasy Start/Sit Optimizer projects Robinson to finish with 8.9 fantasy points, while Rodriguez is projected to have 3.1. So, for this week, Robinson is clearly the choice among Commanders running backs.

Looking to make a trade in your fantasy league? Having trouble deciding who to start and who to sit? Setting DFS lineups? Check out PFN’s Free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer, Start/Sit Optimizer, and DFS Lineup Optimizer to help you make the right decision!