We're less than a month away from the Washington Commanders reporting to Ashburn, Virginia, for training camp, and it's time we got to know the roster a little better.
The Commanders outperformed expectations in the first year with general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn at the helm. Jayden Daniels put together one of the most electrifying rookie seasons in NFL history, and the team was one game away from appearing in the Super Bowl.
Now, with more primetime games on the horizon and a much higher standard to reach, the Commanders must prepare for an encore performance. Like last year, that work will begin in training camp, and Commanders.com will look at every position ahead of the first practice day on July 23. First up are the running backs.
On the roster
- Austin Ekeler
- Brian Robinson Jr.
- Jeremy McNichols
- Jacory Croskey-Merritt
- Demetric Felton
- Chris Rodriguez Jr.
- Michael Wiley
- Kazmeir Allen
What to watch
- Can Brian Robinson take another step? Although his numbers look similar from his previous two seasons, Robinson did take a step forward in 2024 by rushing for a career-high 799 yards. He is not a speedster like other running backs playing today, but his physical style kept the Commanders' offense moving. His coaches have praised his approach this offseason, saying that he knows how important this season is for him (it's the last year of his rookie contract). The key for Robinson is to stay healthy for an entire 17 games. If he can manage that, perhaps he can get the 1,000-yard campaign that has so far eluded him.
- Will Austin Ekeler have a similar effect on the offense as last year? Ekeler became one of the Commanders' most valuable free agent pickups last offseason, despite recording his fewest scrimmage yards since his rookie season. He was the team's primary returner on kickoffs and had 594 yards -- the third most in the NFL -- on 19 returns. Concussions were the biggest obstacles for Ekeler in 2024, but he looked healthy in OTAs and minicamp and ready to prove once again that he can still be productive at 30 years old.
- What will Jacory Croskey-Merritt add to the backfield? Croskey-Merritt, a seventh-round pick, has created plenty of hype among Washington's fans. He's largely unproven since 2023 because of eligibility issues, but he looked quick and decisive during OTAs. He certainly has an interesting skill set that could be useful as the team's third running back, but he will need to earn a roster spot before he can take on that role. We should get a good sample size of what he could be in training camp and the preseason games. If he continues to perform well, his progress could be one of the summer's more exciting storylines.
