The Washington Commanders have a productive running back room, and with a surprise surplus at the position, the Commanders are open to trading one of their backs for the right price
Washington Commanders Reportedly Open to Trading One of Their RBs
Running back Brian Robinson Jr. has been a solid producer for Washington since he arrived in 2022. He has rushed for 2,329 yards and 15 touchdowns, along with 65 receptions for 587 yards and five scores.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that the Commanders are willing to move Robinson if the right deal comes along.
#Commanders RB Brian Robinson Jr. has been highly productive through his first three seasons — rushing for 2,300+ yards and scoring 20 TDs, all while coming back from being shot before his rookie year.
Washington likes its RB depth, but Robinson is available for the right price. https://t.co/8HWJRYaBhq
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) August 17, 2025
Robinson is a valuable piece, but the emergence of seventh-round rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt and the presence of veteran Austin Ekeler have made Washington’s front office feel comfortable enough to shop him. The risk is low: If they get a strong return, it’s a win. If not, Robinson can still start the season as their lead back.
Ekeler is an experienced runner who is dangerous in both the ground and passing games. He also has a history with offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn from their days with the Chargers, making him a natural fit in Lynn’s system.
Croskey-Merritt is a fast-rising talent pushing Robinson, and to a degree, Ekeler, for snaps.
His college path was unorthodox. He ran for 1,190 yards and 17 touchdowns at New Mexico in 2023, then transferred to Arizona for 2024, but eligibility issues limited him to one game.
The lack of playing time likely hurt his draft stock, but his talent has flashed in training camp and the preseason.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt had 24 rushing yards in week 1…
22 of them came after contact. Get this man some blocking and he’ll be your fantasy draft gem 💯 pic.twitter.com/kIWWWJc9Vm
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) August 17, 2025
Croskey-Merritt is already being talked about as a seventh-round steal. He’s an aggressive downhill runner with vision and agility, and he can make defenders miss with sharp cuts.
Like Cam Ward, he was a zero-star recruit out of high school. He rushed for 1,253 yards and 14 touchdowns at Alabama State before transferring to New Mexico, where he had his breakout season.
Missing nearly all of 2024 obscures the fact that Croskey-Merritt should fit well in pro-style inside zone and gap-rushing schemes. He’s not quite a three-down back yet, but he has the burst and toughness to center an NFL ground game.
He does run a little upright, and he tends to hesitate as he works through blocks. He also needs to improve as a receiver, an area where Ekeler still has the clear edge.
Croskey-Merritt isn’t yet a complete back, but he has shown enough that the Commanders feel comfortable floating their leading rusher on the trade market.
