Chris Rodriguez

Chris Rodriguez enters the 2026 season in Jacksonville after signing a two-year, $10 million deal with the Jaguars in March, and that move gives him a real chance to matter in fantasy if the workload breaks his way. He’s no longer fighting for scraps in Washington, and the Jaguars’ updated backfield picture after his signing immediately placed him near the top of the depth chart.

The biggest summer story around Rodriguez has been health, not role. He underwent surgery on a left foot injury early in offseason work, missed OTAs and minicamp, and then was eased back into camp, but recent reports say he was cleared, worked back into team drills, and even mixed in with the first team. That’s encouraging for his availability, and the latest camp notes suggest the injury is no longer a major threat to his regular-season outlook.

Fantasy-wise, Rodriguez is best viewed as a high-upside depth piece rather than a locked-in starter. Jacksonville’s initial unofficial depth chart listed Rodriguez as a co-starter, which means the team is giving him a legitimate chance to earn touches in what should be a competitive backfield. That said, the Jaguars also have multiple backs in the mix, so his weekly value will depend heavily on whether he wins early-down and goal-line work.

For fantasy managers, the appeal is pretty clear: Rodriguez has a path to meaningful carries, a new contract that suggests team investment, and a running style that can translate well if he gets volume. The risk is also clear: he’s coming off offseason foot surgery and still has to hold off the rest of the room through camp and into the season. In deeper leagues, he’s a worthwhile stash with touchdown upside; in standard formats, he’s more of a watchlist or late-round bench bet unless his role becomes more defined.