The Washington Commanders may have found another Day 3 running back worth betting on.
Last season, seventh-round pick Jacory Croskey-Merritt turned into a steal of epic proportions. Now there are early signs that Kaytron Allen could follow a similar path and give Washington another payoff from the back half of the draft.
General manager Adam Peters waited patiently, then made his move when Allen was still on the board at No. 187 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Commanders clearly saw something they liked in the Penn State back, whose college production stood out even as questions about his athleticism pushed him down the board.
What Washington has gotten so far is a rookie who brings edge, energy, and a refusal to settle into the background. Allen has already made his presence felt in the backfield, and his confidence has only added to the intrigue around him. He’s not approaching this like a player content with a limited role, and that attitude has helped make the running back competition one of the more interesting battles to watch as camp approaches.
The Commanders needed a physical option after Chris Rodriguez Jr. left for the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency, and Allen looks built to fill that lane. Still, he’s not trying to be boxed in as just a bruiser between the tackles.
Allen believes he can offer more than short-yardage punch. He wants to be part of the passing game and contribute as a blocker, too. He doesn’t bring top-end speed, but he does bring contact balance and a physical style that gives Washington a different look.
He’ll have to earn every bit of it. Croskey-Merritt is trying to build on his breakout first season, Rachaad White flashed as a possible major piece during Washington’s early offseason work, and Jeremy McNichols, Jerome Ford, and undrafted rookie Robert Henry Jr. are all in the mix for roster spots. Even with that crowd around him, Allen appears headed for meaningful carries as a rookie.
The real test comes when the Commanders turn up the heat in training camp. Dan Quinn and his staff will get a better read on Allen during joint practices, and they’d be smart to get him plenty of preseason snaps for the experience.
If he keeps passing those checks, Washington won’t hesitate to put him in the middle of things.
Allen, for his part, sounds ready for it. The momentum is on his side, and right now he’s carrying plenty of it.
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