Prior to the NFL Draft, the Washington Commanders were frequently linked to Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love and his electric skill set. Although Washington more desperately needed help on the defensive side of the ball, local and national media and fans alike felt that the Commanders absolutely had to upgrade their running back room.

Whether the target was Love or a premium free agent like Breece Hall or Kenneth Walker, the dominant March conversation centered around one question: “How will Washington surround Jayden Daniels with talent?” More specifically, fans wondered if the existing running back room was dynamic enough to carry the weight of David Blough’s new offensive system.

Well, the Commanders never attacked the top of the free-agent market, and the Arizona Cardinals made short work of any hope that Washington would acquire Love when they selected him number three overall in April’s draft. That left Washington with incumbent starter Jacory Croskey-Merritt and veteran Jeremy McNichols, a player who consistently rose to the occasion in critical situations last year.

But while Washington may lack a marquee, headline-grabbing superstar in the backfield, they might just have something special brewing. This carefully crafted group brings a high floor and a diverse blend of complementary skill sets to the table.

Is Washington’s running back room truly a case where the sum is greater than its parts? Let’s dive into what each back offers this season and outline who is primed for a breakout year.

Before moving on to 2026 and analyzing the 'why' behind Adam Peters' roster decisions, we have to audit exactly where the ground attack stood last year. On the surface, Washington's rushing attack was highly efficient. But when Austin Ekeler went down early in the year with a ruptured Achilles, it completely altered the team's identity, forcing the offense into a heavy, downhill system.

Here is how Washington's 2025 output stacked up against league-wide averages:

At first glance, it’s clear that Washington’s run game was highly productive. The team averaged a stellar 4.7 YPC and racked up 20 rushing touchdowns.

However, those macro-level numbers hid a major flaw. For one, quarterback Jayden Daniels was the team's third-leading rusher with 58 carries, while Marcus Mariota finished fourth with 50. Meanwhile, Merritt (175) and Chris Rodriguez (112) led the way. Combine the rushing attempts of Daniels and Mariota, and you get 108 carries from the quarterback position.

Long-term, that simply isn't sustainable. While Daniels was drafted number two overall precisely because of his elite athletic traits, you do not want to intentionally place your franchise quarterback in harm's way in the run game.

In addition, when your primary ball-carrier (Merritt) finishes a full 17-game slate with under 10 catches, the offense becomes painfully predictable on third downs. It tells opposing defensive coordinators exactly what is coming based purely on personnel packages. Personally, I feel that Merritt has the tools to be an asset in the passing game, but he hasn't been asked to show that skill set in college or the pros so far.

Therefore, the front office needed to diversify the backfield's skill sets. They had to create scheme versatility for a Blough system that prioritizes play-action passes off the run and aims to look multiple.

Washington took definitive steps toward addressing that this offseason.

Let’s start with the player who has the highest ceiling to handle the traditional, primary rushing duties: Jacory Croskey-Merritt. As a seventh-round rookie last year, he was an absolute steal, stepping up to lead the team with 805 rushing yards and eight touchdowns—the highest touchdown mark among all NFL rookies, according to Pro-Football-Reference. What makes his production even more staggering is that he accomplished all of this while navigating a mid-season slump and a heavily rotating backfield.

2025 Season Statline: 175 carries | 805 rushing yards | 4.6 YPC | 8 TDs | 9 receptions | 68 receiving yards

Croskey-Merritt completely exceeded expectations last year as a seventh-round rookie who essentially sat out his final collegiate season. According to data from Pro Football Focus (PFF), a staggering 68.3% of his total rushing yards came after contact. These numbers are surprising, as the general consensus often labels “Bill” as a pure speed back with a smaller frame.

PFF also shows he averaged a robust 3.1 yards after contact per attempt, proving he has the exact kind of lower-body power and contact balance required to sustain a grueling ground game. His ability to create when the blocking breaks down makes him the prime candidate to shoulder the heavy lifting on first and second downs.

With a heavier, more defined role in the game plan, his 184 total touches from a year ago are poised to see a significant, calculated bump. Many analysts project "Bill" to occupy the dynamic Jahmyr Gibbs role in Washington. He should be a premier slasher in outside zone schemes, which I believe is the absolute strength of his skill set. Backed by a returning offensive line that is finally healthy and growing in chemistry, I wouldn't be surprised to see Bill thrive and break off massive chunk plays throughout the season.

If Croskey-Merritt is projected to be RB1, I can easily see newly acquired Rachaad White becoming RB1A in a lethal, Swiss Army-knife role. While White's traditional rushing numbers dipped in a crowded system last season, his true value to this offense will be his versatility as a receiver. White remains one of the most natural pass-catching backs in the entire league.

2025 Pro Season Statline: 132 carries | 572 rushing yards | 4 TDs | 40 receptions | 218 receiving yards

Peak NFL Season (2023): 272 carries | 990 rushing yards | 64 receptions | 549 receiving yards

White historically averages 52 catches per season, highlighted by his 64-reception campaign in 2023. His consistent target share safely places him in the top tier of pass-catching backs league-wide. Last year, while sharing the backfield with Tampa Bay’s Bucky Irving, White still posted an elite 88.9% catch rate and averaged 8.4 Yards After Catch (YAC) per PFF.

Expect White to be a constant fixture on third downs, in pony personnel (two-RB sets), and in two-minute drills. Last year, White finished with 172 total touches, but the real value lies in how those touches are distributed. By utilizing him heavily out of the backfield—or even slotting him out wide—Washington can provide Daniels with an immediate check-down answer against heavy blitz looks. He gives the young quarterback a reliable, quick outlet and injects the multi-dimensional scheme versatility that was completely missing from Washington’s 2025 offense.

If Washington is truly going to embrace a RB committee approach, they have the luxury of excellent depth. Jerome Ford provides proven veteran security, while rookie Kaytron Allen offers a power running style and vision that perfectly rounds out the rotation.

2025 Season Statline: 24 carries | 73 rushing yards | 26 receptions | 103 receiving yards

Peak NFL Season (2023): 204 carries | 813 rushing yards | 44 receptions | 319 receiving yards

Although Ford was used sparingly last season—logging just 50 total touches—he has proven high-level production in his career. Cleveland shifted to a new offensive scheme last year while drafting Ohio State's Quinshon Judkins and Tennessee's Dylan Sampson, leaving Ford as the odd man out in a young, rebuilding Browns offense.

Still, at just 26 years old, Ford has plenty of gas left in the tank. He maintained an elite 83.3% positive run rate on his limited touches last season. While he may start as RB4 on the depth chart or find himself as a luxury piece on the practice squad, Ford has the efficiency to keep the offense “on schedule” whenever his number is called.

Peak College Season (2025): 210 carries | 1305 rushing yards | 15 TDs

Affectionately nicknamed "Fatman" during his time as a Nittany Lion, Allen is the perfect rookie addition for this roster. While at Penn State, Allen averaged nearly 190 total touches a season, establishing himself as an incredibly smart, heavy-bodied runner who excels at finding the soft spots in defensive fronts. He rarely loses yardage, handles pass protection like a seasoned veteran, and gives Washington a physical component the other RBs lack.

Allen shared a high-profile backfield with Nicholas Singleton at Penn State but steadily asserted himself in that room, averaging 6.2 YPC and scoring 15 touchdowns over his final collegiate season. Known for his punishing running style, excellent vision, and a stout 5’11”, 220-pound frame, Allen has a clear path to claim the short-yardage and goal-line role here in DC. If things break his way, he could easily earn an even more prominent role. In this backfield, roles are absolutely up for grabs.

It very well could. And honestly, it should. By all accounts, Washington’s offense is projected to be more balanced this season, and there will be a clear emphasis on the ground attack. Although Washington doesn’t have a single, marquee star or bell-cow to carry the load, I do think that David Blough has the pieces to work with to cobble together a strong run game.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt should thrive in an early-down role, where his explosive, home-run ability can really pop in open space under a zone run scheme and the deception of play-action. Meanwhile, Rachaad White will be utilized heavily in the passing game and should “steal” yards at will coming out of the backfield. He will be crucial for keeping the chains moving, but he can also carry the ball in a traditional rushing role to keep defenses guessing.

Behind them, Jerome Ford and Jeremy McNichols will bring a steady, consistent presence to the running back room, providing a net positive if and when they are called upon. Then finally, Kaytron Allen has the ability to provide goal-line power, allowing the offense to stay multiple while protecting Jayden Daniels from absorbing unneeded hits.

While the team may have deficits elsewhere, I don’t consider the running back room to be one of them. In fact, I think they are much improved compared to previous years and should be a lot of fun to watch.

What do you think, Commanders fans? Are you ready to see "Bill" take a massive leap as the primary slasher while White unlocks the passing game? Let me know your depth chart and breakout predictions in the comments below!

Commanders Roundtable also offers a fan community. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Commanders. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our free community and follow for all of our coverage, analysis and more!