Washington’s backfield is shifting. The Commanders reportedly will not rely on Brian Robinson Jr. in the immediate future as they shop him for a late-round pick, keeping him out of a preseason game to reduce injury risk. The move signals a broader reallocation of touches behind a bruiser-style runner, with Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Jeremy McNichols showing per-play efficiency that outpaces Robinson. Seventh-round rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt has flashed spark and quickness Washington covets at the position, suggesting a committee approach rather than a single workhorse. Ownership duties could tilt toward a multi-faceted attack that leans on zone reads and misdirection, leveraging Ekeler’s versatility and Deebo Samuel’s ball-handling usage in similar spread concepts. Fantasy managers should watch for movement by Robinson, but also the rapid reclamation of Rodriguez and Croskey-Merritt as core depth with real-weekly upside. Washington’s roster decisions could redefine ceiling for the 2024 RB group, privileging efficiency, scheme-fit, and the ability to keep workloads manageable across a 16-game slate.

Washington’s 31-17 preseason loss to Cincinnati highlighted more winners than losers for fantasy-minded Commanders enthusiasts. Deebo Samuel’s debut injected immediate veteran juice, while Chris Rodriguez Jr. flashed a decisive, vision-forward style that could elevate Washington’s backfield. Luke McCaffrey faced a tougher road, Jaylin Lane impressed as a developing option, and Sam Hartman’s bumpier night underscored the quarterback competition’s murkiness. Frankie Luvu generated pressure and showed versatility, while backs like Croskey-Merritt signaled how crowded the room could get if a Robinson trade unfolds before Week 1.

Rodriguez’s 40-yard burst set the tone, Samuel’s first carry added a spark, and Lane’s third-down receptions suggested a path for a mid-round rookie to carve a role. Hartman’s shoulder concerns and Hartman’s early rhythm created questions about the immediate floor for the passing game, but Washington still ran a compact, multiple-back offense that could surprise fantasy managers if the depth chart clears. The Commanders now host Baltimore on a short week, making the final tune-up critical for roster decisions and early-season projections.

In short, Rodriguez and Lane emerged as the clearest fantasy-friendly signals, while Hartman’s health and the receiver grouping offer the most room for volatility. Samuel’s arrival keeps the offense dynamic, but the path to weekly production depends on roster rigidity and how Washington uses its revamped depth across both backfield and pass-catching roles. As the roster crystallizes, savvy fantasy players should watch how the Week 3 reps translate to real-season opportunity.

Washington Commanders backfield competition resurfaces as Brian Robinson Jr. nears a trade, triggering a rotating duo of Chris Rodriguez and Jacory Croskey-Merritt for early-down duties. Ekeler remains the receiving back, with Jeremy McNichols handling passing downs. In Cincinnati, Noah Fant’s Bengals debut complicates fantasy plans as the tight-end corps rotates with Mike Gesicki and Drew Sample, while Tanner Hudson may shift out of third-down duty. The Commanders’ WR depth chart clears with Deebo Samuel and Luke McCaffrey up the pecking order, Lane surging past Moore and Gallup despite McLaurin’s holdout. Expect mid-season shifts as rookies like Croskey-Merritt push for lead roles.

Noah Fant’s fantasy ceiling for 2025 looks capped in Cincinnati, where Fant and Gesicki split passing-down roles, with Sample and Hudson providing blocking and situational snaps. Fant’s snap share should hover around a modest figure unless Gesicki suffers an injury; both Fant and Gesicki are waiver-wire stashes rather than early-round targets. The Bengals’ opening drives featured Fant and a rotating TE group, underscoring ceiling constraints in typical fantasy leagues.

preseason action also puts Deebo Samuel in a clear slot-first role with Lane rising in the depth chart, setting up a crowded WR corps in Washington. McLaurin’s health and potential trade talks keep fantasy managers wary, while Osborn could rise as a reliable depth option. With Carroll-era depth at WR, Samuel’s usage in multiple sets suggests flexible lineup possibilities, especially if the backfield remains unsettled.

Washington’s backfield is in flux as Brian Robinson Jr. enters 2025 with trade chatter swirling. The Commanders’ rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt is rising behind Ekeler and Robinson, fueling speculation he could seize the early-down workload. Fantasy players should weigh Robinson’s rugged, volume-heavy profile against Croskey-Merritt’s speed and burst shown in preseason, plus the depth of Washington’s backfield. The article argues Croskey-Merritt could become the team’s RB1 if Robinson is moved, making him a bold mid-to-late round target. Ekeler remains a veteran staple, but his role could be influenced by the rookie’s ascent and any trades. In short: Robinson’s hold on RB1 is shaky; Croskey-Merritt offers upside if he lands first shot, while Ekeler provides a safe floor with possible upside if workload shifts occur.

Draft strategy centers on rostering Croskey-Merritt as a post-draft dart in redraft formats, given the offensive context and depth Washington has built at RB. The piece also notes the upcoming rookie class is exceptionally deep at running back, which could push Washington to optimize youth and speed at the position. Expect a volatile, up-and-down 2025, with Croskey-Merritt as a high-variance cornerstone in the right lineup, Robinson as a potential trade chip, and Ekeler as a steady counterweight to a changing backfield.