The Washington Commanders came one win short of a Super Bowl appearance in quarterback Jayden Daniels’ rookie season. No one expected them to reach the NFC Championship Game, but now that they have, Washington’s front office is going all-in this offseason.
Their first big move came early, as the team traded draft picks to acquire Deebo Samuel from the San Francisco 49ers. After a down year in 2024, the Commanders are hoping to get the All-Pro version of Samuel.
With Samuel and Terry McLaurin now set as Daniels’ top two targets, Washington is expected to shift focus to the run game in the 2025 NFL Draft — with help from an explosive Ohio State running back.
Commanders Projected To Address Rushing Attack With Explosive Ohio State Runner
Last season, Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler led the Commanders’ rushing attack, but both struggled to produce consistently. Robinson finished with 799 yards, while Ekeler added 361.
Daniels’ dual-threat ability helped mask some of those issues, as he led the team with 891 rushing yards. But it’s clear Washington needs a long-term answer at running back — especially with the depth of talent in this year’s draft.
The Commanders hold the No. 29 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and are projected to take TreVeyon Henderson, according to PFSN’s latest two-round mock draft by Marco Enriquez.
“The Washington Commanders had plenty of success in 2024, but one area that needs improvement is the run game outside of Daniels. Washington attempted to patch together its backfield with Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler, but neither provided a consistent spark.
“TreVeyon Henderson is an explosive runner with excellent vision and agility. His quick change of direction stands out, along with his solid long speed. Henderson also ranks among the best in the class in explosive run rate.”
Enriquez did note two concerns with Henderson: his injury history and pass-catching ability. But he also argued that the Ohio State back won’t be a liability in the passing game, pointing out that — aside from his sophomore season — Henderson posted over 200 receiving yards in every college season.
Adding Henderson fits Washington’s win-now mindset and gives them a long-term option, with both Robinson and Ekeler entering the final year of their contracts.
Henderson is one of the most exciting backs in this year’s class and was a standout at Ohio State. As a freshman, he started 11 of 13 games, rushed for 1,248 yards, and broke Archie Griffin’s school record for most touchdowns from scrimmage in a season with 19.
Injuries slowed his production the next two years. He ran for 571 yards as a sophomore and 926 as a junior but remained one of the top backs in the country.
As a senior, Henderson teamed up with Quinshon Judkins to form one of the best running back duos in the country. He stayed healthy and helped lead the Buckeyes to a national championship, rushing for 1,016 yards and 10 touchdowns on 144 carries.
