Late Round Running Backs Who Can Help the Commanders

Can Adam Peters find a hidden gem at RB in the sixth or seventh round?

In the first year of Adam Peter’s franchise “recalibration”, the Commanders experienced one of the most dramatic one-season turnarounds in recent history, thanks in large part to rookie phenom Jayden Daniels. Heading into the second offseason of the rebuild, it would be easy to conclude that offense wasn’t the problem, and particularly not the running game. Afterall, the Commanders finished the regular season ranked 5^th in points scored, 7^th in total yards, 3^rd in rushing yards and 4^th in rushing TDs.

Looking a little deeper reveals a few weaknesses on offense that should probably be addressed to make the Commanders competitive with the top teams in the league. Since the season concluded, I have published a series of three articles on the running game. In case you missed them, here they are:

The 2024 Commanders’ Rushing Attack Was Highly Variable

Were the Commanders’ Running Backs Held Back by the Run Blocking?

Where Did the Commanders’ Running Backs Have the Most Success Running the Ball?

The first article showed just how much the Commanders’ rushing success was due to their rookie QB. Removing QBs from the equation dropped the Commanders from 4^th to 10^th place in total rushing yards, which is still not too shabby. However, the running backs rushing success was highly variable from game to game, and benefitted from racking up big totals in a few games against weak opponents. Against teams with top 10 rushing defenses, the RBs averaged just 2.8 yards per carry.

The second and third articles attempt to tease out how much of the weakness of the RB ground attack was due to the offensive line’s run blocking or the running backs themselves. The data seem to suggest it was a bit of both. The third article showed that the RB’s rushing success varied by location along the OL, and peaked when they were running behind RG Sam Cosmi and LT Brandon Coleman.

As for the running backs, the Commanders have average starters who can take what is blocked for them. But they struggle to create their own opportunities when the blocking hits a lull, which it did regularly throughout the season.

As the Commanders look to build the offense around Jayden Daniels this offseason, there is a good chance they will look for upgrades at RB. This is a great draft for it, since it features one of the deepest RB classes in years. Adam Peters demonstrated his commitment to drafting the best player available in his first draft in Washington.

With so many quality backs to choose from, it would seem likely that the Commanders will find an RB atop their board at some point in the draft. But the question is when? In 2024, Peters did not take advantage of an exceptionally deep offensive tackle class until his fifth pick of the draft in the third round. Based on early returns, that seems like it might have turned out pretty well (Brandon Coleman’s progress: pass blocking, run blocking).

Will Adam Peters wait until the third round or later to tap into the deep vein of RB talent in the 2024 draft, or will he strike early to daft an elite prospect? It’s anyone’s guess, really. But there are some reasons to suspect that he might wait until Day 3 to draft a RB. First and foremost, with an abundance of talent at other positions, including secondary, WR, TE, DL and iOL, there is no guarantee that an RB will find his way to the top of the board at any of the Commanders’ three picks in the top 79.

Secondly, in the seven drafts Peters ran with the San Francisco 49ers as Vice President of Player Personnel and Assistant GM, the team only drafted 4 RBs. The highest any of them was drafted was pick #88, in the third round. So, it’s possible that Peters doesn’t value the position enough in the draft to devote significant capital to it.

If Peters does wait until Day 3 to pull the plug on a RB, it is likely to be a long wait. Unless he acquires a pick in a trade, the Commanders’ first pick on Day 3 will be #207, near the end of sixth round. They have two more in the seventh round (238, 250).

In this roundup, I take a look at 9 RBs with potential to add something to the Commanders’ rushing attack, who might be available late on Day 3 or after the draft.

Draft projections are based on the Mock Draft Database consensus draft board, which is the only currently available consensus board that goes beyond the top 100 players. RB stats are mostly sourced from PFF, and combine measurements from NFL.com. Two abbreviations that might be unfamiliar to readers are RAS (Relative Athletic Score – a composite metric of a player’s athleticism relative to size at their position) and FMT (forced missed tackles, from PFF).

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RBs Who Could Slide to the Sixth Round

These are running backs who are currently ranked more than 32 picks ahead of the Commanders pick in the sixth round. The margin of error associated with draft rankings on Day 3 is very large, making it entirely plausible for one or more of these players to fall to the Commanders at pick # 207.

Trevor Etienne, Junior, Georgia

5-9, 198 lbs

RAS 7.39 | 4.42 sec 40 | 1.51 sec 10 yd split | 35” vertical | 10’4” broad

2024 Rushing: 122 att | 603 yds | 4.9 Y/A | 9 TD | 2 fum | 3.43 YAC/att | 28 FMT

2024 Receiving: 33 tgt | 32 rec (96.9%) | 194 yd | 8.0 YAC/rec | 1 drop | 1 fum

Consensus Board Rank: 133

Commanders’ Meeting: Senior Bowl

The younger brother of Travis Etienne is a smaller back, who runs with elusiveness but below average play strength. His primary value is in the passing game. Etienne catches everything thrown his way and excels at gaining yards after the catch. Despite his size, he performs well in pass protection, making him a legitimate option as a third down back.

Etienne returned kickoffs in his first two college seasons at Florida. He averaged 25.1 YPA on 26 returns with no muffed catches.

Etienne is currently projected to come off the board in the late fourth round. He could fall to the Commanders at pick 207 because he lacks ideal size for the position, has only average burst and lacks play strength to make a living on inside runs, and had a DUI arrest in 2024.

Raheim “Rocket” Sanders, Senior, South Carolina

6-0, 217 lbs

RAS 9.87 | 4.46 sec 40 | 1.55 sec 10 yd split | 36.5” vertical

2024 Rushing: 183 att | 881 yds | 4.8 Y/A | 11 TD | 3 fum | 3.69 YAC/att | 46 FMT

2024 Receiving: 30 tgt | 27 rec (90.0%) | 311 yd | 12.6 YAC/rec | 2 drops | 2 fum

Consensus Board Rank: 157

Commanders’ Meeting: Shrine Bowl

Sanders has the size and desired measurables to become a three down back, and was productive in that role with the Gamecocks. He runs with power, elusiveness and burst to gain chunk yardage between the tackles or outside, and is hard to stop on short yardage runs. He is also a sure handed pass catcher and put up eye-popping yardage after the catch figures on checkdowns and short passes.

Sanders could drop to the Commanders due to his lapses in pass protection and ball security concerns. According to PFF, he fumbled 5 times on 210 touches (2.4%) in 2024. Over the previous three seasons he only fumbled on 1.53% of touches, so his 2024 numbers could be a fluke. If so, or if Anthony Lynn can teach him to hang onto the football, he could be a real find in the sixth round.

Damien Martinez, Junior, Miami

6-0, 217 lbs

RAS 9.32 | 4.51 sec 40 | 1.56 sec 10 yd split | 35” vertical | 10’4” broad

2024 Rushing: 160 att | 1,006 yds | 6.3 Y/A | 10 TD | 1 fum | 4.46 YAC/att | 42 FMT

2024 Receiving: 21 tgt | 17 rec (81.0%) | 204 yd | 11.4 YAC/rec | 2 drop | 0 fum

Consensus Board Rank: 160

Commanders’ Meeting: Senior Bowl

Martinez looks could be a sleeper in the 2024 draft class. He is a big, powerful back with the agility, and sudden acceleration to work his way through the traffic inside. When there isn’t room to run, he makes it by running through defenders. Over three years as a starter, he averaged 6.1 yards per attempt, with 3.91 of that gained after contact.

He could fall to the Commanders’ sixth round pick because he lacks breakaway speed, is fairly average as a receiver and needs to improve as a pass blocker.

Brashard Smith, Senior, SMU

5-10, 194 lbs

RAS 7.12 | 4.39 sec 40 | 1.58 sec 10 yd split | 32.5” vertical | 9’9” broad

2024 Rushing: 232 att | 1,326 yds | 5.7 Y/A | 14 TD | 3 fum | 3.34 YAC/att | 52 FMT

2024 Receiving: 51 tgt | 41 rec (80.4%) | 337 yd | 8.1 YAC/rec | 2 drop | 1 fum

Consensus Board Rank: 171

Commanders’ Meeting: Senior Bowl

Smith played his first three seasons at WR for Miami and then transferred to SMU for his senior year and switched to RB. He uses exceptional vision and agility to avoid tacklers and find running room. As expected from his recent background as a receiver, he has outstanding ball skills and runs a developed route tree from the slot.

He also has quality experience as a kick returner. In 2023 with Miami he averaged 29.2 yards per return on 20 attempts with one return for a TD.

Brashard is a Hogs Haven fan favorite for good reasons. He would upgrade the depth pipeline at RB, with the luxury to develop his running skills behind established starter, Austin Ekeler, while earning his keep as a rookie returning kicks. He could fall to pick 207 because of his size, inexperience at RB and inconsistent effort in pass protection.

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RBs Projected to Be Available in the Sixth and Seventh Rounds

The following RBs are currently expected to go in the range of the Commanders’ picks 207, 238 and 250 in the sixth and seventh rounds, based on their consensus rankings.

Jordan James, Junior, Oregon

5-9.5, 205 lbs

RAS inc | 4.55 sec 40 | 1.62 sec 10 yd split | 9’9” broad

2024 Rushing: 233 att | 1,268 yds | 5.4 Y/A | 15 TD | 0 fum | 3.18 YAC/att | 58 FMT

2024 Receiving: 33 tgt | 26 rec (78.8%) | 207 yd | 7.1 YAC/rec | 5 drop | 0 fum

Consensus Board Rank: 186

Commanders’ Meeting: Combine

James is a bruising back, who excels at breaking tackles to gain yards the hard way and remind defenders how much it hurts. Yet, for a power back, he has remarkable change of direction and start-stop quickness. He is also functional as a checkdown option, but does not have great hands as a receiver. According to PFF, he has not fumbled in 428 touches throughout his three year college career. He is an enthusiastic pass blocker, but gets poor blocking grades from PFF.

James lacks top end speed and needs to work on showing more patience to allow plays to develop. He could still upgrade the running game on runs between the tackles on early downs and in short yardage situations.

Tahj Brooks, 5^th year Senior, Texas Tech

5-9, 214 lbs

RAS 8.28 | 4.52 sec 40 | 1.56 sec 10 yd split | 10’0” broad | 6.9 sec 3-cone | 4.06 sec shuttle

2024 Rushing: 317 att | 1,512 yds | 5.3 Y/A | 17 TD | 2 fum | 3.04 YAC/att | 58 FMT

2024 Receiving: 34 tgt | 28 rec (82.4%) | 199 yd | 6.4 YAC/rec | 1 drop | 0 fum

Consensus Board Rank: 188

Commanders’ Meeting: East-West Shrine

Brooks was a high volume every-down back through five years at Texas Tech. He is a compact runner who uses elite agility and contact balance to evade defenders and break tackles. However, he lacks top end speed to break off long runs. Brooks catches everything thrown his way, but is not a dynamic receiving option. He has excellent ball security, with only 6 fumbles in 984 touches (0.6%) with the Red Raiders. Brooks is a hard hitter in pass protection but needs to work on his blitz recognition.

LeQuint Allen, Junior, Syracuse

6-0, 204 lbs

RAS inc | 35” vertical | 10’0” broad | 6.9 sec 3-cone | 4.06 sec shuttle

2024 Rushing: 285 att | 1,023 yds | 4.5 Y/A | 16 TD | 1 fum | 3.00 YAC/att | 44 FMT

2024 Receiving: 78 tgt | 64 rec (82.1%) | 529 yd | 8.1 YAC/rec | 4 drop | 0 fum

Consensus Board Rank: 201

Commanders’ Meeting: Senior Bowl

Allen profiles as a third down back for the Commanders. He has adequate running ability and excels as a receiver, with good burst to gain separation on routes out of the backfield. What will earn Allen playing time on third downs with the Commanders is his exceptional performance in pass protection. Many analysts consider him the best RB in pass protection in the draft class.

Allen also has potential to contribute on special teams. In 2023, his last season returning punts, averaged 18.2 yards per return on 5 attempts, with no muffs. He also earned good grades in punt coverage.

Jarquez Hunter, Senior, Auburn

5-9, 204 lbs

RAS 7.99 | 4.44 sec 40 | 1.55 sec 10 yd split | 33.5” vertical | 10’0” broad

2024 Rushing: 232 att | 1,201 yds | 6.5 Y/A | 8 TD | 3 fum | 4.10 YAC/att | 59 FMT

2024 Receiving: 27 tgt | 21 rec (77.8%) | 155 yd | 8.5 YAC/rec | 2 drop | 0 fum

Consensus Board Rank: 224

Commanders’ Meeting: Senior Bowl

Hunter is the kind of player who might earn a Commander tag for his character, work ethic and toughness on the field. He is a compact, powerful runner with good vision who breaks tackles to pick up yards after contact. He is not a natural receiver and needs to work on his pass pro technique. He has good ball security with just 7 fumbles in 829 touches (0.84%) over four years. Hunter also has experience in special teams coverage.

On the Commanders, he could be an upgrade on early downs and in short yardage situations.

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One RB Who Might Be Available After the Draft

One player who might be available in the seventh round or after the draft deserves a look:

Jacory Croskey-Merritt, 6^th Year Senior, Arizona

5-10, 206 lbs

No measurables available

2023 Rushing: 188 att | 1,191 yds | 6.3 Y/A | 17 TD | 2 fum | 3.98 YAC/att | 64 FMT

2023 Receiving: 8 tgt | 7 rec | 72 yd | 8.4 YAC/rec | 0 drop | 0 fum

Consensus Board Rank: 310

Commanders’ Meeting: East-West Shrine

Croskey-Merritt burst onto scouts’ radar at the Shrine Bowl, where he was named Offensive MVP after running 11 times for 97 yards and 2 TDs. He played just one game for Arizona in 2024 before the NCAA determined that he had exhausted his eligibility after 4 seasons at Alabama State and one at New Mexico. In his single game for the Wildcats he took 13 carries for 106 yds and 1 TD.

Despite the extended time in college, Croskey-Merritt is still only 23. The tape from his most recent seasons reveals an explosive back with good patience, exceptional footwork and lateral agility to evade and blow past defenders. He is a willing pass blocker, who packs a pop, but might need to work on his blitz recognition. He was not used consistently in the passing game, but showed good hands when he was thrown the ball.

Unlike many of his late round peers, Croskey-Merritt is a genuine home run threat when he sees space. He would be an intriguing option at the end of the draft or to bring to camp as a UDFA.

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So Long and Wish Me Luck

Take a look at tomorrow’s weather forecast for the Brisbane metro area:

As I type, the city of Brisbane, Australia (a.k.a. Bris Vegas) is in the direct path of Tropical Cyclone Alfred, which is projected to make landfall tomorrow as a category 2 storm at around 7 pm. According to the latest news bulletin, Alfred is on track to become the first cyclone to make a direct hit on Brisbane since 1954. I can assure Hogs Haven readers that I am well stocked on coffee, alcohol and other provisions to survive a few days without power, and hopefully with an intact roof.

If I don’t follow up this article with a roundup of offensive linemen who are good at run blocking in a week or two, that’s why.

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