The Washington Commanders have two talented running backs on the roster entering the 2022 season. Former third-round pick Antonio Gibson enters his third season in the fall and is coming off his first 1,000-yard rushing season in 2021.
Washington also brings back J.D. McKissic. McKissic was a free agent and almost signed with the Buffalo Bills, before changing his mind and returning to the Commanders on a two-year deal.
McKissic plays a specific role for Washington. He is arguably the league’s top pass-catching back and is not a true backup for Gibson. McKissic will play a lot of snaps regardless.
With Gibson and McKissic on the roster, along with Jaret Patterson, why is Washington looking hard at some of the top running backs in the 2022 NFL draft?
The Commanders have brought in Breece Hall, Kenneth Walker III and Isaiah Spiller for top 30 visits this month.
Offensive coordinator Scott Turner wants to run the football. If Gibson misses any period of time due to injury, Washington’s ground game will suffer. So, at some point in the draft, expect the Commanders to add another running back to the roster.
Washingon has six picks in the upcoming draft but is without picks in the third and fifth rounds. We give the Commanders a running back for each of their selections in the upcoming draft.