Commanders turning to seventh-round rookie after Brian Robinson Jr. trade?

On Friday, the Washington Commanders dealt away their lead running back of the past three seasons, sending Brian Robinson Jr. to the 49ers for a 2026 sixth-round pick.

Selected by Washington in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Robinson has played in 41 games (37 starts) over the last three seasons, averaging right around 14 carries for nearly 57 yards (4.1 per attempt). The former Alabama star rushed for a career-h igh eight touchdowns last season, bringing his career total to 15.

Washington decided it was time to move on from Robinson and head in a different direction with its offensive backfield. Versatile veteran Austin Ekeler is likely to be at the top of the depth chart in the short term. Third-year backup Chris Rodriguez brings a bit of experience, too. It’s another name that has folks more excited around the nation’s capital, though.

Commanders may feature Jacoby Croskey-Merritt

There were only a dozen players picked after Croskey-Merritt, or "Bill" as he is often called, in this past spring's draft. Some of that had to do with the fact that he only played in one game last season after transferring to Arizona due to eligibility conc erns. He ended rushing for 106 yards and a score in his only game.

In 2023, Croskey-Merritt was an absolute star for New Mexico, churning out nearly 1,200 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns on 189 carries (6.3 yards per attempt). The Commanders are hoping that's a sign of his potential ceiling in the NFL. 

Croskey-Merritt never showed much as a receiver out of the backfield in his college days, but that could make him an ideal pairing with Ekeler, who has always excelled in that facet of the game. Croskey-Merritt has shown his big-play ability in the running game this preseason.