The Washington Commanders are riding high after last year’s Jayden Daniels-led turnaround season and have made several win-now moves through the offseason. From upgrading the passing attack to strengthening the offensive line, the Commanders made several key additions to give Daniels every chance of making a Super Bowl push this upcoming season.
However, one key area Washington left untouched through the offseason has been its running back room. While the Commanders’ running game is nowhere near awful, it might turn so in 2025. Either way, Washington needs a long-term answer and is predicted to find it in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Washington Commanders Predicted To Select Versatile RB in First Round of the 2026 NFL Draft
The Commanders’ rushing attack was led by Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler last season but struggled in the second half of the year, with both failing to cross 800 rushing yards. While Daniels’ dual-threat ability helped mask those issues, it’s clear that Washington needs a long-term solution at running back, more so in order to prolong the QB’s success.
In PFSN’s latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft, analyst Brentley Weissman projects the Commanders ending up with the 27th overall pick and eventually using it on Penn State running back Nicholas Singleton.
“Nicholas Singleton was one of the best running backs in the country last season and was very likely to go early in the 2025 NFL Draft if he had declared,” Weissman noted. “He is explosive and has excellent vision as a runner. His blend of power, contact balance, and patience is impressive.
While Singleton’s individual talent is clear, Weissman pointed out that his skill set could address a specific need for Washington’s backfield.
“The Commanders are in need of a bit more juice at running back, as Brian Robinson is a fine player but not necessarily a dynamic runner,” Weissman continued. “Singleton would give this team a much-needed boost in the run game.”
Singleton stands 6-feet, 227 pounds and was widely considered the second-best running back after Ashton Jeanty if he had declared for the 2025 draft. He runs with power and violence, but also has the home run speed to break long runs.
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Singleton is heading into his fourth year at Penn State. As a freshman in 2022, he made a splash with 156 carries for 1,061 yards and 12 touchdowns. He didn’t show many rookie nerves either, and his longest run that season was 87 yards.
But 2023 was a step back. Despite getting 15 more carries, Singleton’s yardage dropped by over 300 yards, finishing the season with just 752. His touchdowns dipped to eight, and his yards per carry dropped from 6.8 to 4.4.
Nicholas Singleton is arguably the most explosive runner in the 2026 NFL Draft.
It’s rare to find a runner with Nick Singleton’s combination of speed, burst, and power. pic.twitter.com/nmR3PkV1FF
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) May 16, 2025
One bright spot from 2023 was Singleton’s emergence as a pass-catching threat, which fits nicely in Washington’s system. Daniels is a master of play-action, and Singleton has grown as a receiving back. After logging 11 receptions in 2022, he bumped that number to 41 in 2024. Last season, he racked up 1,099 rushing yards and added 375 more through the air.
He also scored 17 total touchdowns in 2024, making him one of college football’s more productive backs. Whether he can build on that in 2025 remains to be seen, but his career is undoubtedly in an upward direction as he looks to hear his name called in late April 2026.