Chris Rodriguez Jr. - Commanders RB
The Washington Commanders got some solid returns from Chris Rodriguez Jr. in 2025. He was on the fringes to start the season, but the Kentucky product saw his influence gradually increase as the campaign wore on.
Austin Ekeler suffered a torn Achilles tendon in Week 2, which stopped him from being a healthy scratch. When rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt's meteoric rise began to simmer, the Commanders got him more involved. Rodriguez ran with urgency and physicality, gaining 500 rushing yards and six touchdowns from 112 carries.
The 2023 sixth-round pick is an exclusive rights free agent this offseason, so keeping him around should be pretty straightforward if general manager Adam Peters wants to. What the Commanders need to figure out is how Rodriguez fits into David Blough's scheme and whether he has the scope to move the needle effectively.
Rodriguez will probably be tendered. That shouldn't stop Peters from examining possible upgrades to the running back room.
Bobby Wagner - Commanders LB
Bobby Wagner remains a force in between the tackles. The veteran linebacker is an exceptional communicator who always seems to be around the football. His work on blitzes also caught the eye impressively, resulting in 162 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and eight tackles for loss.
Those are impressive stats for a 35-year-old linebacker who is almost guaranteed to be a first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer. Still, that doesn't mean the Commanders will automatically give him another deal this offseason.
Wagner is a liability in space these days. Opposing offenses were actively trying to isolate him, and it worked. He's never been great in coverage, which once again became a growing frustration during the 2025 campaign.
The newly crowned NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year played a leading role in the Commanders' culture shift. Parting ways won't be easy, but that seems like a realistic scenario for Adam Peters in the coming weeks.
Treylon Burks - Commanders WR
The Commanders took a chance on wide receiver Treylon Burks when the Tennessee Titans finally gave up on their first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. It was a slow burn in many respects, but the flashes demonstrated by the pass-catcher could result in another short-term deal to see if any more untapped potential remains.
Burks has the physical profile that new offensive coordinator David Blough could be looking for. At the same time, the Commanders need to significantly upgrade their receiving room, and they have the cash to do so.
It's a tricky one with Burks. He's got all the athletic attributes in the world, but it just hasn't come together consistently enough. Much will depend on the money his representatives are asking for, of course. If that is too high for Adam Peters, he won't hesitate to go in a different direction.