Finding gems lower down the NFL Draft can be the difference between contending and not. While all the hype goes to first-rounders and Day 2 picks, the league is littered with lower-round guys who go on to achieve a significant amount against all odds.
Adam Peters didn't get the chance to draft Jeremiyah Love, but he didn't want to leave empty-handed when it came to the backfield.
The Washington Commanders haven't had much to shout about in this regard over recent years. Adam Peters is looking to tide, and he's placing a small wager on Penn State's Kaytron Allen performing above expectations after taking him at No. 187 overall in the 2026 draft.
Commanders add to already crowded backfield wiith Kaytron Allen pick
On the face of it, there is a lot to be encouraged about with Allen. He's a solid running back with plenty of college starting experience with the Nittany Lions. What he lacks in consistency, he makes up for with athleticism and hunger, which are always key to any development project.
It's tricky to gauge what Allen can be in the pros. There were good moments in college. There were also some glaring technical flaws that left him exposed. Finding some middle ground is key, but getting the chance to hone his craft under David Blough and his staff gives him a solid chance.
Allen certainly fits the young, fast mold Peters has sought this offseason. Getting him to be more disciplined would be a good place to start. Patience can be a virtue in the NFL, despite its violent nature and fast pace. That will make things a whole lot easier to exploit running lanes and make sure everything slows down for the dual threat, but putting in the hard yards is absolutely critical.
He'll have people to lean on in the room. This pick might be a contingency plan for Love after he went to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 3 overall, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have merit.
If anything, it might give Washington more bang for its buck.
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