The Washington Commanders’ remarkable turnaround season ended in heartbreaking fashion with a 55-23 loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game. Despite that disappointing finish, the Commanders are determined to prove their success wasn’t just a one-year fluke.
Washington has been active in the first week of free agency, with key additions including wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. and offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil. With upgrades at receiver and the offensive line, the Commanders are now expected to focus on their rushing attack in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Commanders Projected to Address RB Room in 2025 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. While Jayden Daniels’ dual-threat ability helped mask those issues, it’s clear that Washington needs a long-term solution at running back — especially with the depth of talent in this year’s draft.
In PFSN’s latest three-round mock draft, analyst Marco Enriquez projects the Commanders to use the 29th overall pick on Ohio State’s TreVeyon Henderson.
“The Washington Commanders had plenty of success in 2024, but one area that needs improvement is the run game outside of Jayden 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.”
However, Enriquez noted concerns about Henderson’s durability and his ability as a pass-catcher.d
“The two concerns? His extensive injury history and pass-catching ability.
“Henderson won’t be a liability in the passing game, but he won’t be Jahmyr Gibbs, either. Nevertheless, he fits perfectly in the Commanders’ system.”
The Commanders have a clear need at running back after Daniels led the team in rushing last season, with Robinson finishing second. With both Robinson and Ekeler entering the final year of their contracts, adding Henderson would be a smart move for a team in win-now mode.
TreVeyon Henderson has MORE National Championships (1) than lost fumbles (0)..
What Matters Most:
➖Early Production (1,560 Yards as a Freshman)
➖Ball Security (0 Lost Fumbles, 667 Touches)
➖Efficiency (7.1 Yards Per Attempt in 2024)Eclipsing 1,000+ Rushing Yards while… pic.twitter.com/rQOCDxmJ5h
— Austin Abbott (@AustinAbbottFF) January 25, 2025
Henderson is one of the most exciting running back prospects 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 record for most touchdowns from scrimmage with 19.
However, injuries hampered his production over the next two seasons. He rushed for 571 yards as a sophomore and 926 yards 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 tandems in the country. He stayed healthy and led the Buckeyes to a national championship with 1,016 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on 144 carries. Except for his sophomore season, Henderson recorded 200-plus receiving yards in every college season.