Compared to last year, it was a relatively mundane NFL Draft for the Washington Commanders. Adam Peters got plenty of offers to move back and bolster the five selections at his disposal, but he resisted the temptation and focused on maximizing the assets already available.
That was somewhat disappointing to fans, but Peters knows what he's doing. The general manager rounded off another successful draft by shaking things up in the running back room.
The Commanders took Jacory Croskey-Merritt with their final selection at No. 245 overall. He only played one game last season due to eligibility issues, but Washington must be confident he avoids any further issues and returns to his 2023 form, where he was nothing short of sensational for New Mexico.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt could shake things up in Commanders' running back room
Croskey-Merritt went relatively under the radar, but the Commanders had interest during the assessment process. His cut-back vision is outstanding. There's also a level of aggression to his play style that's matched by an ability to make people miss with even the slightest shifts in movement.
Getting the prospect to be more fluid from an agility standpoint would be a good place to start. He's a pure runner but didn't shine in pass protection when tasked with this responsibility in college. That also has to change in the pros.
What this means by others in the running back room is anyone's guess. The Commanders kept faith with their four contributors from last season, but all of them are in the final year of their respective deals. If Croskey-Merritt can regain his true football fitness quickly and build confidence with reps in an NFL setting, he'll be fighting for involvement immediately.
Croskey-Merritt is the definition of a one-cut slasher. He's got devastating conviction when gaps are spotted. If alarm bells weren't sounding for the likes of Brian Robinson Jr. previously, they are now.
This might come to nothing, but the Commanders might also have a steal on their hands if Croskey-Merritt comes into the franchise with a renewed purpose following his long spell on the sidelines.
Just another fascinating storyline to monitor over the summer with potentially big ramifications attached.