Commanders' dangerous gamble with Brian Robinson Jr. could easily backfire

A fresh report around running back Brian Robinson Jr. sent shockwaves through the Washington Commanders fan base. If accurate, it represents a dangerous gamble from general manager Adam Peters that could backfire.

According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Commanders have reportedly been shopping Robinson to gauge potential trade interest around the league. This came swiftly on the back of Ben Standig, formerly of The Athletic, hinting that the former third-round pick might not be on the Week 1 roster when push comes to shove.

Whether there would be legitimate offers for Robinson is anyone's guess. He's been a productive runner throughout his career, overcoming early adversity to firmly establish himself. However, the rapid-fire emergence of seventh-round rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt has shaken up the dynamic considerably.

Commanders are playing with fire by putting Brian Robinson Jr. on the trade block

And if this report is factual, Robinson could be the sacrificial lamb.

That seems a little short-sighted from the outside looking in. Robinson regressed over the second half of 2024 and into the playoffs, but the reports around the Alabama product have been glowing this offseason. Kliff Kingsbury lavished praise on the player for his improved performance and exceptional work ethic. This might not be an opinion shared by Peters.

Robinson is entering the final year of his deal. Peters could extract some value via trade if he doesn't believe there is enough to warrant another extension. However, placing RB1 responsibilities on a first-year player taken No. 245 overall in the draft who missed all but one game of his final college season comes with significant risks attached.

Croskey-Merritt has taken the Commanders by storm this summer. He gained just 24 rushing yards from seven carries in Washington's preseason opener against the New England Patriots, which indicates he's a work in progress. Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols are other experienced veterans who could pick up the slack if Robinson is traded, but both represent a downgrade.

Of course, Robinson had some injury issues last season. He played through them more often than not, but the Commanders could be concerned about his longevity and ability to maintain high standards throughout a 17-game slate and playoff run. Going with the younger, fresher Croskey-Merritt is a viable option, although he's an unproven commodity.

The Commanders are in win-now mode. Taking away someone who was a huge part of the offensive strategy — someone Kingsbury rates highly — has major ripple effects if it doesn't come off.

But make no mistake, Peters won't hesitate to remove another Ron Rivera draft pick ahead of time if he believes it's the right thing to do.

More Commanders news and analysis