If you had told a Commanders fan a year ago that the backfield would eventually belong to a seventh-round pick from Arizona, they probably would’ve laughed at you. Football is weird.
The Washington Commanders running back depth chart underwent a massive, almost chaotic transformation during the 2025 season. It started with a shocking trade that sent Brian Robinson Jr. to San Francisco and ended with a rookie leading the charge while veterans watched from the sidelines or the training table. Now, as we stare down the 2026 offseason, the roster is essentially a blank slate.
Honestly, the "depth chart" right now is more of a list of questions than a set of answers. With expiring contracts and a shift in offensive philosophy under Kliff Kingsbury (and new OC David Blough), the ground game in D.C. is about to look very different.
The unexpected rise of Jacory "Bill" Croskey-Merritt
Jacory Croskey-Merritt—or "Bill" as everyone calls him—was the absolute steal of the 2025 NFL Draft. Coming out of Arizona as the 245th overall pick, he wasn't supposed to be the guy. But when the Commanders traded Robinson and lost Austin Ekeler to a brutal season-ending Achilles injury in Week 2, the door swung wide open.
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He didn't just walk through it; he kicked it down.
Croskey-Merritt finished his rookie campaign with 805 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. That’s not just "good for a rookie"—that’s top-five production among all first-year backs. He showed a level of elusiveness that Washington hasn't seen in years. According to PFF, he racked up 362 yards after contact. That's pure grit.
But it wasn't all sunshine. Bill hit the "rookie wall" hard in November. His production dipped, and his pass-catching remains a major work in progress. He only managed 68 yards on nine receptions all year. If he wants to be the true bell-cow in 2026, he has to become a threat on third downs. Right now, he's a pure runner, and in a Kingsbury-style offense, that can be a limitation.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. and the restricted free agency trap
Then there’s Chris Rodriguez Jr. He’s been the steady hand for this team. Whenever they needed four yards and a cloud of dust, Rodriguez was the one getting the call.
In 2025, he set career highs across the board: 500 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 112 carries. His Pro Football Focus grade of 74.9 actually led the room. He’s efficient. He’s tough. He hit 20.37 MPH on a 40-yard run against Cincinnati, proving he’s not just a "power back" despite what the scouting reports say.
Here’s the catch: Rodriguez is a pending restricted free agent.
The Commanders have the right to match any offer he gets, but will they? If a team like the Giants or Cowboys decides to overpay for a reliable RB2, Washington might let him walk. Adam Peters has been very disciplined with the cap. Rodriguez is the perfect complementary piece to Croskey-Merritt, but his future in D.C. depends entirely on how the market values a specialized power runner.
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The veterans leaving the building
We need to talk about the guys who likely won't be back.
Austin Ekeler is the big one. His first year in Washington was a disaster, culminating in that Achilles rupture. He’s 30 years old now. He’s an unrestricted free agent. While Dan Quinn praised his leadership, it’s hard to see a world where the Commanders bring back an aging, injured back when they are clearly trying to get younger and faster.
Jeremy McNichols is also hitting free agency. He had a "career year" in 2025 with 417 total yards and a 60-yard touchdown, but he’s a journeyman. He’s 30. He did exactly what he was brought in to do—provide veteran stability during a crisis—but the team is moving in a different direction.
Looking ahead to the 2026 roster rebuild
As of today, the Washington Commanders running back depth chart is basically Jacory Croskey-Merritt and a lot of empty chairs.
Adam Peters has over $100 million in projected cap space if he makes a few strategic cuts (keep an eye on Marshon Lattimore’s status). This means Washington is going to be players in the free-agent market. There are some massive names potentially available:
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- Najee Harris: The kind of workhorse that would take the pressure off Jayden Daniels.
- Travis Etienne: A home-run threat that fits the "explosive" mold Peters loves.
- Javonte Williams: A bruising back who could replace the Rodriguez role if he leaves.
The team also owns the No. 7 overall pick, though using that on a running back would be a shock. More likely, they look at Day 2 or Day 3 of the draft to find another "Bill"—a high-upside player who can rotate in.
What this means for Jayden Daniels
The running game is the lifeblood of this offense, especially with a dual-threat QB like Jayden Daniels. When the ground game was clicking in 2025, the Commanders ranked fourth in the NFL with 134.7 rushing yards per game.
But when the run game stalled, Daniels took too many hits. The 5-12 finish to the season wasn't because of the backs; it was because the roster lacked the depth to survive the injury bug. The 2026 strategy has to be about variety.
Dan Quinn has talked about using "A-backs" and "B-backs"—essentially using a committee to keep everyone fresh. We saw a lot of Deebo Samuel Sr. taking snaps in the backfield last year too. Expect more of that "positionless" football.
Actionable insights for the offseason
If you're tracking this team, here is what you need to watch for over the next few months to understand how this depth chart will shake out:
- The Rodriguez Tender: Watch for what level of "tender" the Commanders place on Chris Rodriguez Jr. A second-round tender means they really want to keep him. A right-of-first-refusal tender means they’re okay with him leaving for the right price.
- Free Agency Waves: If the Commanders don't sign a veteran back in the first 48 hours of free agency, it's a massive vote of confidence in Croskey-Merritt.
- Pro Day Focus: Pay attention to which running backs the Commanders meet with during the scouting combine. They specifically need a pass-catching back to replace the role Ekeler was supposed to fill.
The 2025 season was a trial by fire. The 2026 season will be about whether the Commanders can turn that lone spark in Croskey-Merritt into a sustained flame. One thing is certain: the days of Brian Robinson Jr. being the undisputed bell-cow are over, and the new era of Washington football is going to be a lot faster and a lot more unpredictable.