Few franchises are happier with their outlook going into the 2025 season than the Washington Commanders. After Jayden Daniels’s historic rookie season, which might go down as the greatest rookie season from a quarterback in NFL history, the team is gearing up for an even better 2026 campaign. They’ve added to the roster around Daniels, potentially trying to make a run at the Super Bowl.
The offseason, beginning with a blockbuster trade for Deebo Samuel, made it clear where the Commanders’ priorities were. However, their work might not be over just yet. While the rest of the roster has received upgrades at seemingly every position, the running back spot remains the one exception. It might not be for long, though, as one analyst believes Washington could find their man in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Washington Commanders Need to Diversify Their Ground Game
Thanks to the excellent scrambling and rushing ability of their quarterback, the overall shortcomings of the running back room were minimized significantly last year. Individually, Daniels put up 891 yards and six touchdowns on the ground.
No other player even crossed the 800-yard mark on the ground. Brian Robinson Jr. came close, but he only suited up in 14 games. Simply put, the unit needs some more firepower to ease the burden on their superstar quarterback, while also allowing the offense to be more varied.
The latest mock draft from PFSN has the perfect solution for that problem. With the 27th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Brentley Weissman wants the Commanders to target Nicholas Singleton out of Penn State.
A game-breaking runner already, Singleton has spent three years with the Nittany Lions, compiling an impressive resume with two separate 1,000-yard seasons to his credit. In total, he’s aggregated close to 3,000 yards and 32 touchdowns on the ground.
Additionally, his versatility has allowed him to add over 750 yards and eight touchdowns through the air. “Nicholas Singleton was a standout running back last season and was projected as an early pick in the 2025 NFL Draft had he declared,” Weissman explained.
Rumored to have ~4.35 speed at 6’0″, 227 pounds, Penn State’s Nicholas Singleton is one of the 2026 RB class’ superlative athletes, pound-for-pound.
That speed is a central part of his game. Particularly on zone runs, he’s potent. Can traverse the line and explode through seams. pic.twitter.com/F741fTGN9d
— Ian Cummings (@IC_Draft) June 17, 2025
He then explained what made Singleton such a game-breaking playmaker: “His explosive running, excellent vision, impressive power, contact balance, and patience make him a dynamic player who projects as a future bellcow at the next level.”
As a result, he believes the Nittany Lions’ star would be perfect for Washington. “Singleton would provide some much-needed juice to their backfield, elevating the team’s rushing attack.”
For a team that went from four wins to an NFC Championship Game appearance, there isn’t much to take away. However, with the running back room clearly needing some help, the 2026 NFL Draft presents the perfect opportunity in the form of Singleton to take care of that one weakness as well.
