Fantasy Sports

Fantasy Football Week 17 Waiver Wire Debate: Chris Rodriguez Jr. vs Tyjae Spears

Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Tyjae Spears are both in split backfields, but with explosive upside. One player is a much better pickup in Week 17.
Thomas Carelli|
Nov 30, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (36) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Denver Broncos in the second quarter at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Nov 30, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (36) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Denver Broncos in the second quarter at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images | Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

In this story:

Washington CommandersTennessee Titans

Sleepers may have gotten you this far in the Fantasy Football season, and for that, we are very happy. Many names have met this status as league-winning sleepers and today, we will discuss two players that live in that world — Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Tyjae Spears. They are both in split backfields, but they both have shown great upside. Can they be trusted in Championship Week? Leave it to us.

The Case for Chris Rodriguez Jr.

Rodriguez Jr. is working to great volume over his last four games as the definitive starter. He is averaging (12.8) Attempts and (58.8) Yards per Game. He also has (2) Touchdowns in that time and (5) on the season. Rodriguez Jr. is the RB46 in Points per Game, but he touches on Top-30 status in his current workload.

The great value-add of Rodriguez Jr. is his (27) Red Zone Rushing Attempts over 12 Games. He is very likely to have a minimum of (2) Attempts in every single game that he plays. This makes him a high-probability touchdown scorer.

In Week 17, the Commanders will take on the Cowboys on Christmas Day. The Cowboys are 25th versus Running Backs. In their prior meeting, the Commanders had been working with Jacory Croskey-Merritt as the lead-back, so Rodriguez Jr. only accounted for (3) Attempts and (12) Yards. Today will be much different.

The Case for Tyjae Spears

Spears is possibly the best back in Tennessee, but the offense has not operated like it. Spears has played 11 Games, averaging (6.7) Attempts and (23.9) Yards per Game. Spears has (2) Touchdowns. In the receiving game, Spears does add value. He averages (3.7) Targets and (3.3) Receptions per Game for (23) Yards per Game and zero Touchdowns. Spears is the RB49 in Points per Game.

Unlike Rodriguez Jr., Spears is not a high-output Red Zone option. He has (9) Red Zone Rushing Attempts in 11 Games. On an already bad Titans offense, the value lacks here.

In Week 17, the Titans will face the Saints. They are 20th versus Running Backs. Spears may see a matchup of moderate upside, but he still lacks a ton of value on a bad team.

Waiver Wire Debate: Chris Rodriguez Jr. vs Tyjae Spears

At this point in the season a Start 'Em Sit 'Em is the same debate as the Waiver Wire. They are short-term moves for title-winning success.

In this debate, Rodriguez Jr. is the clear better pickup. He has more volume, higher touchdown probability, and he is on a better team. This is a no-brainer.

Pickup Chris Rodriguez Jr. as an all-around better pickup.

More Fantasy Sports On SI News:

Published | Modified
Thomas Carelli
THOMAS CARELLI

Thomas Carelli is a sportswriter based on Northern New Jersey. He is a massive New York Jets and Mets fan, but that is not where is sports fandom stops. He loves to watch and play golf, all things football, baseball, and much more. If he can watch it, he will. Thomas graduated from William Paterson University in 2018 with a Bachelor's Degree in Sport Management. He spent 4 years working at a local golf course, volunteered past PGA events, and spent some part-time experience with the New York Jets events team. His passions for sport runs deep and his articles show for it.

Home/Waiver Wire