The last couple of years, it's been tough to find a consistent rushing presence for the Washington Commanders. After the Brian Robinson era ended, there simply didn't seem to be a clear-cut and long-term answer.
Last season, we all remember the hype surrounding Jacory Croskey-Merritt, but at the end of the day, he was a seventh-round pick.
That's ironic, though, because we're about to talk a little about the Commanders' 2026 sixth-round pick, running back Kaytron Allen out of Penn State. It's another year of similar feelings about a Day 3 running back being a better player than where was drafted.
Yet, with the arrival of Allen, it might not be Croskey-Merritt who should be the most worried. In fact, Croskey-Merritt likely started to get worried long ago when the Commanders signed their likely starter in Rachaad White.
Jerome Ford is an early candidate to lose out on a roster spot thanks to the Commanders drafting Kaytron Allen
Croskey-Merritt was that more explosive type in space, similar to some of White's skillset, but that's not Allen. Croskey Merritt should stick around as a rotational back, but he's not the one who should be worried.
The Commanders also signed former Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford, this offseason, and he's the one who should be most worried.
At one point, Ford was the Browns' starting running back for a bit. However, he isn't someone who excels at one thing in particular. No disrespect to the player, but Ford is merely just a guy. It was no surprise to see why Ford appeared in 13 games, last year, but received only 24 carries for the Browns in 2025.
As soon as Cleveland brought in younger blood like Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson, Ford was a thing of the past.
Now, they bring in a rookie who is three years younger and comes in having carried a heavy load, and for four years, at Penn State. Allen might have been a sixth rounder, but he's used to having a big-time work load and at a premier program. This makes Ford more than expendable.
Over four years, Allen amassed 769 carries for 4,180 yards and 39 touchdowns. He also did that, at times, while sharing the back field with Nicholas Singleton, who went to the Tennessee Titans in this very same draft.
Allen's vision and patience as a runner are what will allow him to carve out a role in Washington. He has that bowling ball type of style, at times, which makes sense considering he's been compared to the likes of Tyler Allgeier by some experts.
The arrival of Allen is going to impact Ford more than anybody, right away. While White and Croskey-Merritt could battle it out for their particular role, Allen comes in looking like an immediate part of a split back field.
His role already seems there for the taking. The Commanders shouldn't think twice about getting Allen involved as part of a one-two punch. The question now becomes whether Croskey-Merritt can challenge White.
As for Ford? He may very well not end up making this roster when it's all said and done.
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