There’s no shortage of uncertainty around the Commanders heading into 2026, and the backfield is right there near the top of the list. Washington is trying to answer big-picture questions about two first-time coordinators, a defensive overhaul and a healthy Jayden Daniels, but the running back room is drawing plenty of attention too.
That’s partly because the group looks different, and partly because outside opinion on it is brutally low. Warren Sharp of Sharp Football Analysis recently ranked all 32 NFL backfields, and Washington landed at No. 32 - dead last.
The Commanders’ current mix starts with Jacory "Bill" Croskey-Merritt and Jeremy McNichols, both back from last season. Croskey-Merritt was one of the bright spots on the roster in 2024, leading Washington with 805 rushing yards and eight touchdowns while working in a part-time role. He also averaged 4.6 yards per attempt, and there’s a real belief inside the building that he can grow into a dependable every-down option.
McNichols brings a different kind of value. He’s the steady veteran, a player who helps on special teams and can contribute on offense when called upon.
Washington also moved on from Austin Ekeler and Chris Rodriguez Jr. Ekeler’s exit made sense because of his age and his recovery from an Achilles injury. Rodriguez’s departure was a little more surprising after he made the most of limited chances over the past few seasons.
The additions are Rachaad White, Jerome Ford, rookie Kaytron Allen and undrafted rookie Robert Henry Jr. White is the most accomplished name in the group.
He spent the last four seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and gives Washington a legitimate pass-catching threat out of the backfield. Ford arrives after a limited role in Cleveland.
Allen is the swing piece - Penn State’s all-time leading rusher and a back who offers something the others do not.
Sharp’s evaluation was blunt: “Washington’s running backs rank dead last at 32nd this year. Jacory Croskey - Merritt finished as the team’s leading rusher in 2025, but he will split time with Rachaad White, who was signed in free agency.
White adds a receiving threat in the backfield that Washington did not have last year. He has over 200 total receptions in his four years in the NFL.”
That kind of ranking is hard to ignore, and there are obvious reasons for the skepticism. Croskey-Merritt has yet to prove he can handle a full-time lead role.
White has averaged 3.9 yards per attempt in his career. Allen is still a rookie.
Still, Washington is clearly betting on growth from Croskey-Merritt. He spent the offseason bulking up and sharpening parts of his game, including his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield.
The Commanders may not have a Christian McCaffrey or Bijan Robinson in the room, but the group doesn’t have to look like a headline-grabber to work. With Daniels behind center, Washington has reason to believe this backfield can still function at a high level.
In Other News...
Commanders Finally Made The Uniform Change Fans Have Been Waiting For
The Commanders are leaning into a look their fans have wanted back for years, moving their Super Bowl-era throwback design into the primary uniform role for 2026. Along with the refreshed standard set, the team is adding a new all-black alternate called the Hail Raiser, a sharper, more modern look that still fits the franchises recent push to connect its present-day brand with its past.
Owner Josh Harris framed the changes as a way to honor the teams heritage while updating the overall identity, and the early reaction has been strong enough to draw national notice. Sports Illustrated even placed Washingtons 2026 uniform set at No. 8 in the league, a sign that this makeover is landing well beyond the fan base that had been waiting on it. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders May Have Finally Fixed One Of Their Most Frustrating Problems
The Commanders have spent enough time searching for small offensive edges that a better screen game almost feels overdue, and this weeks additions are aimed squarely at that problem. Bringing in Rachaad White and Chig Okonkwo gives Washington two athletic options who can stress defenses in ways the unit has not consistently done, especially in the short passing game where the team has needed more help from its backs and tight ends.
For a young quarterback like Jayden Daniels, the appeal is obvious because cleaner, faster answers can help the offense stay on schedule and force defenses to defend every blade of grass. ESPNs John Keim has pointed to the possibility that these moves could make the attack more diverse, but the real test will come when Washington starts finding out whether those new pieces can turn a long-frustrating area into a reliable part of the plan. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Suddenly Have A Tough Decision On A Rising Fan Favorite
The Commanders went into the offseason looking for more speed and flexibility at linebacker, and the additions of Sonny Styles and Leo Chenal under Daronte Jones have changed the shape of the room in a hurry. With Jones planning to lean on a 3-4 look, Washington appears set to build around Frankie Luvu and Styles, while Chenal gives the staff a useful piece it can move around depending on the down and the package.
That leaves Jordan Magee in a far different spot than the one many imagined when he emerged late last season as a fan favorite and a possible breakout candidate. The fifth-round pick is still expected to make the roster and be part of the group, but the path to steady defensive snaps is suddenly crowded, and the role that once looked like a clean runway to Bobby Wagners old middle linebacker job now feels a lot less certain. [Read more 🡒]