Chris Rodriguez

Chris Rodriguez enters the 2026 fantasy football season in a much more interesting spot than he had in Washington, because he signed a two-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars worth up to $12 million and is now being projected by some analysts to open the year as the lead back. That move matters a lot for fantasy, since Jacksonville lost Travis Etienne in free agency and Rodriguez’s size-and-power profile fits the kind of early-down and goal-line work that can translate into usable weekly volume.

What makes Rodriguez more than just a depth-name is how efficient he was in 2025. He averaged 3.0 yards after contact per attempt, which ranked second in the NFL, and he forced a missed or broken tackle once every 8.6 carries, one of the best rates in the league. He also finished the 2025 season with 435 rushing yards and five touchdowns across 12 games, and his late-season stretch in Washington showed he can handle a meaningful workload when given the chance.

The fantasy case is straightforward: Rodriguez has a real shot to matter in standard and half-PPR formats if Jacksonville gives him the high-value touches that come with lead-back or near-goal-line usage. At the same time, his receiving profile is not the main selling point, so his weekly ceiling will depend heavily on touchdowns and rushing volume rather than big target totals. That makes him more appealing as a value RB3 or flex option than as a safe every-week starter, especially if the Jaguars rotate him with other backs.

Overall, Rodriguez looks like one of the better late-round running back bets for 2026 because the opportunity is better, the contract signals trust, and the fit with Liam Coen is already familiar from college. He is not without competition or downside, but the current reports suggest a path to early-down work and goal-line chances that can turn into strong fantasy value if the Jaguars commit to him. If you want upside in the middle and later rounds, Rodriguez is a very reasonable target.

Updated 06/08/2026