Commanders' stunning trade twist sends rookie hype skyrocketing

The Washington Commanders are reportedly shopping Brian Robinson Jr. for a potential trade. That's not been confirmed by the club, but it'll be interesting to see if there is any weight behind these claims when final cuts are made on the not-too-distant horizon.

Regardless, this does nothing to diminish the hype around seventh-round rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt. If anything, it sends his stock to stratospheric levels after an exceptional transition over the summer.

Croskey-Merritt was taken No. 245 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, but he's not acting like a Day 3 afterthought. He's got a major chip on his shoulder and is putting it to good use. His purposeful approach and aggressive running style made him an instant fan favorite. The coaches instantly took notice, with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury giving him reps with the first-string offense at training camp.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt could get huge role if the Commanders trade Brian Robinson Jr.

The fact that Washington is supposedly willing to cut the cord with Robinson indicates their faith in Croskey-Merritt. But would any trade place expectations on his shoulders that the first-year pro isn't quite ready for?

Momentum is building around Croskey-Merritt. It's also worth remembering that this was the No. 245 pick in the draft who missed all but one game of his final college season after the NCAA revoked his eligibility. Placing RB1 responsibilities on his shoulders right out of the gate represents a massive gamble.

If the Commanders traded Robinson, they would have Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols to provide a veteran presence alongside Croskey-Merritt. That's arguably a downgrade, but Peters could be looking to extract some value for someone who isn't part of the team's long-term strategy.

This is an incredible opportunity for Croskey-Merritt. He was made to wait a long time before the Commanders came calling. But after a rollercoaster ride to achieve his NFL dream, he's landed in the best possible place to make an immediate contribution.

Croskey-Merritt could be a surprise that most teams don't see coming this season. But if it goes wrong, questions will be asked about why Peters waited so long to draft a running back if he'd concluded Robinson wasn't part of his strategy in 2025.

It's a fine line, and there's also a chance no willing suitor comes forward for Robinson. But according to Schultz and Ben Standig, the Commanders have made their plans abundantly clear.

And who knows, perhaps this will provide Croskey-Merrit with the extra spark of confidence needed to make a leading contribution if Robinson is no longer around.

Time will tell…

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