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Commanders RB Brian Robinson was held out of Monday night's preseason game amid reports that he'll be traded or released. RB Chris Rodriguez drew the start and played all four snaps on QB Jayden Daniels' lone drive. Rodriguez and RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt worked in a rotation the rest of the first half, with RB Jeremy McNichols handling obvious passing-down snaps. (RB Austin Ekeler did not play.) Rodriguez and Croskey-Merritt both ran well. Rodriguez ripped off this 40-yarder on Washington's second offensive snap, finishing with six carries for 62 yards. Croskey-Merritt broke loose for this 27-yard TD and finished with 46 yards on 11 carries.
This backfield has been tossed in a blender over the last 24 hours. If Robinson is truly on his way out, we're likely looking at a two- or more likely a three-man committee. Rodriguez and Croskey-Merritt are seemingly battling for early-down snaps, while Ekeler figures to hang on to a change-of-pace, pass-catching role.
Croskey-Merritt has been buzzing all offseason, impressing his coaches and the media with his decisiveness and burst. He's an interesting prospect. NCAA eligibility issues limited him to just one game last year. But he was excellent at New Mexico in 2023, averaging 6.3 yards per carry with 17 TDs on 189 attempts. He ranked top-15 in the nation in both yards after contact per attempt and Pro Football Focus rushing grade. Croskey-Merritt was not invited to the Combine but clocked a 4.45-second 40 time at 206 pounds at his Pro Day.
Rodriguez was a 2023 sixth-round pick who's totaled just 86 carries across the last two years. He's been efficient, though, averaging 4.9 yards per carry with four TDs. Rodriguez ranked top seven among 91 qualifying RBs last season in yards after contact per attempt and PFF rushing grade.
This Commanders backfield is certainly worth investing in. Only 10 teams produced more total RB PPR points last season, and Washington bolstered its offensive line this offseason.
It remains unclear how early-down snaps will be divvied, though. And neither Croskey-Merritt nor Rodriguez projects for much pass-catching work. That keeps both guys outside the top-40 in our RB rankings for now. But both are worth considering as upside bench stashes.
Ekeler also got a bump up our rankings with the Robinson news. He could pick up some extra carries and is locked into pass-catching duties.
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