If you just glance at the surface-level Brian Robinson Jr stats, you might think the guy took a massive step backward this past season. Honestly, it's easy to look at a 400-yard rushing total and assume a player is "washed" or was a victim of a bad scheme. But football isn't played in a vacuum, and the 2025 season was a weird one for the former Alabama standout.
You’ve probably seen the box scores. They look light.
But there is a massive difference between a lack of talent and a lack of opportunity. After being traded from the Washington Commanders to the San Francisco 49ers in August 2025, Robinson went from being "The Guy" to being the most overqualified insurance policy in the NFL. When you’re sitting behind a healthy Christian McCaffrey, your stats are going to look thin. That’s just the reality of the Niners’ depth chart.
Why the trade changed everything for Brian Robinson Jr stats
The trade was a shocker. On August 24, 2025, Washington sent Robinson to the Bay Area for a 2026 sixth-round pick. Basically, the Commanders decided to pivot fully to Austin Ekeler and a youth movement with Jacory Croskey-Merritt.
For Robinson, it meant a total identity shift.
In 2024, Robinson was a volume beast. He finished that year with 799 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns on 187 carries. He was a bruising, downhill force that thrived on 15+ touches a game. He even helped carry Washington into the NFC Championship game with a massive 77-yard, two-score performance against Detroit in the Divisional Round.
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Then came 2025.
Suddenly, he was a change-of-pace back. He played in all 17 games but didn't start a single one. His season total of 92 carries for 400 yards reflects a guy who was coming in for two or three series a game just to keep McCaffrey’s legs fresh.
Breaking down the 2025 efficiency
Here is the thing—he was actually better on a per-carry basis.
Look at these splits:
- 2022: 3.9 yards per carry
- 2023: 4.1 yards per carry
- 2024: 4.3 yards per carry
- 2025: 4.35 yards per carry
He’s getting more efficient as he matures. He isn't losing a step. He's finding holes faster. In Week 9 against the Giants, he reminded everyone what he can do, ripping off 53 yards and a touchdown on just five carries. That is a staggering 10.6 average.
Most people see the low yardage and think he's done. I see a guy who averaged nearly 4.4 yards per clip despite everyone in the stadium knowing a run was coming when he stepped on the field.
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The "Bama Factor" and his receiving floor
We sort of forget that Robinson was a five-year player at Alabama. He’s 26 now, which is "old" for a third-year pro, but he has that polished, pro-ready style that coaches like Kyle Shanahan love.
One area where the Brian Robinson Jr stats took a hit in 2025 was the passing game. In 2023, he actually caught 36 balls for 368 yards. People thought he was evolving into a three-down threat. But in San Francisco? He only had 8 receptions for 25 yards all year.
Why? Because if the Niners are throwing to a running back, that ball is going to McCaffrey or it’s a screen for Deebo Samuel.
It’s a usage thing, not a skill thing.
If you look at his 2024 tape in Washington, Robinson showed a surprisingly soft set of hands for a guy who weighs 225 pounds. He isn't just a goal-line plunger. He has the lateral agility to make the first man miss in space, though he'll always be a "power first" runner.
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Advanced Metrics: The "Juke Rate" doesn't lie
Even with limited touches, Robinson’s advanced metrics stayed solid. His Juke Rate (which measures evaded tackles) hovered around 24%, ranking him in the top 20 for backs with at least 90 carries.
He also stayed reliable.
Zero fumbles in 2025.
In a high-stakes offense like San Francisco’s, that’s how you keep your job.
What to expect from Brian Robinson Jr in 2026
If you’re a fantasy manager or just a Commanders fan still mourning his departure, you have to look at 2026 as a potential bounce-back. Robinson is entering the final year of his rookie contract. He’s essentially auditioning for a lead role somewhere else in 2027, or potentially staying in SF if the backfield gets reshuffled.
The Commanders' decision to move him looks... questionable. Austin Ekeler is on the wrong side of 30, and while the rookie Croskey-Merritt has flashes, he doesn't have Robinson's "short-yardage-is-guaranteed" consistency.
Actionable Insights for 2026:
- Watch the Health of the 49ers Starters: Robinson is the premier "handcuff" in football. If McCaffrey misses any time, Robinson's stats will likely jump to 80+ yards per game instantly.
- Efficiency over Volume: Don't chase the total yards from 2025. Look at the 4.35 YPC. That is the number that tells you he is still a high-level NFL starter.
- Red Zone Specialist: Even in a limited role, he still notched 2 touchdowns and 16 red-zone touches. He is the hammer the Niners use when they want to punish a tired defensive line in the 4th quarter.
The bottom line is that the Brian Robinson Jr stats tell a story of a player who sacrificed personal glory for a championship run in a backup role. He hasn't declined. He’s just waiting for the next door to open. If he lands back in a system that wants to run the ball 25 times a game, don't be surprised when he hits that 1,000-yard mark he’s been chasing since he left Tuscaloosa.
To get a real sense of his trajectory, compare his 2024 "Featured Back" success to his 2025 "Specialist" efficiency. He’s a more complete player now than he was when he first broke out.
Keep an eye on the 2026 offseason. If there’s any movement in the San Francisco backfield, or if a team with a young QB needs a reliable veteran hammer, Robinson will be the first name on the list. He’s too good to stay at 5 carries a game forever.