Chris Paul - Commanders OL
There aren't many holdovers left from the Ron Rivera era. That bears more significance to his draft picks, who have been ruthlessly disposed of by general manager Adam Peters as part of his roster revolution.
Most high-end picks are long gone. The same goes for those taken further down the pecking order. But something was preventing the Washington Commanders from giving interior offensive lineman Chris Paul a similar fate.
Paul stuck around on the roster last season. He wasn't involved much, so fans wondered whether he'd get the chance to see out the final year of his deal in 2025. The former Tulsa star made the team again, and when Brandon Coleman's switch to left guard didn't go well, the Commanders threw him back into the lineup.
It's not been perfect. Paul's run-blocking needs work, but his consistency in pass protection next to Laremy Tunsil quickly emerged as a real positive to build on. And with one or two more accomplished performances down the stretch, that might be enough for the Commanders to keep him around.
Much will depend on the money involved and whether Paul gets a better offer in free agency. But when most expected him to be removed with little fanfare attached, he's given himself a fighting chance.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. - Commanders RB
The Commanders didn't have much use for running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. earlier this season. They had Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler leading the charge in training camp. Adam Peters spent a seventh-round pick on Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who took the franchise by storm. Jeremy McNichols was a dependable veteran and a core special-teams presence, so it's not hard to see why things looked bleak.
Things look a lot different now. Robinson was traded to the San Francisco 49ers. Ekeler tore his Achilles tendon in Week 2. Croskey-Merritt's incredible start has tailed off dramatically. McNichols has played his role well, but the need for more was obvious.
Washington gave Rodriguez the chance to provide a spark. The 2023 sixth-round selection has seized it with both hands, providing a sense of urgency and physicality that was sorely lacking previously. He's taken over the running back mantle in the lead role. And when all hope seemed lost, there's a good chance another financial commitment from the franchise is coming his way.
Rodriguez already has career highs in carries (71), rushing yards (320), and touchdowns (4) with five games left. He's had to fight for absolutely everything, and the Commanders should reward him accordingly when the time comes.