The Washington Commanders' running back dynamic has taken a seismic shift. And an opportunity could be knocking for one player who's become something of an afterthought this season.
With the loss of Austin Ekeler, all attention turns to immediate fan favorite Jacory Croskey-Merritt. The seventh-round rookie rushed for 82 yards and a touchdown in his regular-season debut against the New York Giants, but was inexplicably held to only four touches versus the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football.
Meanwhile, an additional opportunity opens up behind Croskey-Merritt and Jeremy McNichols on the depth chart. Third-year pro Chris Rodriguez Jr. has been a healthy scratch for the Commanders' first two games of 2025, but he figures to be involved in Washington's game plan moving forward.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. could turn heads in the Commanders' murky backfield
Everybody in Washington is rooting for Croskey-Merritt to be the breakout star of the Commanders' running back room now that the starting job is his. But he is still relatively unproven and devoid of legitimate NFL experience. There is definitely a world in which it's Rodriguez who ends up shining even brighter.
During the Commanders' preseason, Rodriguez rushed for 118 yards compared to Croskey-Merritt's 70, and he did it on one fewer carry. It's worth noting that most of the Kentucky product's snaps were later in games against defensive players buried further down the depth chart, but it still counts for something.
Rodriguez has shown flashes of potential throughout his first two seasons in Washington, despite being perpetually on and off the active roster. He ran for 94 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries against the Tennessee Titans last season. Against the New York Jets in 2023, he had a pair of scores. He hasn't gotten many opportunities for significant reps, but when he has, he's mostly been productive.
There is clearly some talent within the 2023 sixth-round pick. He has an impressive burst and shiftiness to his game, not unlike Croskey-Merritt. If the first-year pro experiences some growing pains, don't be surprised if there are times throughout the year when Dan Quinn turns to Rodriguez for answers.
The Commanders' backfield, though intriguing, is still somewhat of a mystery. Croskey-Merritt could very well take advantage of his opportunity and have a Pro Bowl-caliber season. McNichols could also end up being the biggest beneficiary, as he figures to factor into the passing game more than Washington's other backs.
But don't sleep on Rodriguez. He's never had a more straightforward path towards obtaining a consistent role in Washington's offense. He'll be determined to take advantage of it.