Seventh-round pick Jacory Croskey-Merritt became a steal of epic proportions for the Washington Commanders last season. Now, there are growing signs that another Day 3 running back could achieve a similar feat.
Simply put, the Commanders may be sitting on a gold mine for the second straight year.
The Commanders believe they've found a hidden gem in Kaytron Allen. His production at Penn State was exemplary, but his perceived lack of athleticism led to his stock sliding dramatically.
Kaytron Allen could be the second Day 3 running back in as many years to thrive with Commanders
General manager Adam Peters bided his time. When the prospect was still around at No. 187 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, the front-office leader didn't hesitate.
Allen isn't your average Day 3 selection. He is relentless, and his desire to shake things up has already been felt in Washington's backfield. The performance levels so far have caught the eye, while his bold claims in interviews only heighten optimism about his outlook.
It's already evident why the Commanders became enamored with Allen. There is no sense of complacency whatsoever. He's striving for improvement and is willing to push his teammates. Despite being a rookie, he is refusing to accept a secondary role in the team's game plan, making the backfield dynamic one of the most eagerly anticipated to monitor over training camp.
Washington needed a power presence after Chris Rodriguez Jr. left for the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency. In Allen, they may have found it.
But he wants to be so much more.
Allen is keen to dispel the myth that he is a short-yardage option in between the tackles and nothing more. The former Nittany Lions standout believes he can be an asset in the passing game and also contribute as a blocker. He doesn't have home-run speed by any stretch, but his ability to absorb contact and physical approach offer something different.
Competition for places is high. Croskey-Merritt is looking to build on his outstanding first season. Rachaad White looked like a major contributor over Washington's early offseason program. Jeremy McNichols, Jerome Ford, and even undrafted rookie Robert Henry Jr. are fighting for roster spots. But Allen is well on track to get his fair share of carries in Year 1.
More will be required. The Commanders will ramp up the intensity for Allen and everyone else over training camp. Head coach Dan Quinn and his staff will get a better sense of what he might be capable of during joint practices. They would also be wise to get him heavily involved in the preseason for some much-needed experience.
If everything checks out and Allen passes these tests, the Commanders will throw him into the fire.
Allen is ready for whatever the Commanders throw at him. Momentum is everything, and he has a ton of it right now.
Building on it could see him become the second consecutive running back draft gem to take the league by storm.
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