Putting more oomph into their running game would elevate the Washington Commanders’ offense into the ranks of the NFL’s elite, something they can do by trading for a back who rushed for 16 touchdowns last season, but is engaging in a hold-in at training camp this year.
It’s James Cook, who is attending but not participating at training camp for the Buffalo Bills. Cook wants a new deal, but he could be viable trade bait after back-to-back Pro Bowl campaigns.
The 25-year-old “ran for 1,009 yards and 16 touchdowns on 207 carries last season, averaging 4.9 yards per carry. Any team looking for an upgrade in the backfield would likely have interest in acquiring him if he’s made available,” according to Newsweek’s Evan Massey.
Moving for Cook makes sense for the Commanders, although Massey also listed the Chicago Bears, Houston Texans and Washington’s NFC East rivals the Dallas Cowboys among other likely trade fits for the versatile workhorse.
Massey thinks “Buffalo could still work out a new deal with him (Cook), but he’s a name to watch.” The Commanders shouldn’t wait to strike an agreement and fix an obvious deficiency among their skill players.
James Cook Trade Would Solve Commanders’ Problem
Finding a way to add Cook to the roster is worth the effort for Commanders general manager Adam Peters, but he’ll need to act fast. Although Bills’ GM Brandon Beane has been blindsided by Cook’s contract stance, Dianna Russini of The Athletic explained on the Scoop City podcast, “I don’t think the gap is that big here. I just think this is applying a little pressure, let’s get this done.”
Until terms are actually agreed and contracts signed, the Commanders have an opening. The opportunity is worth taking because current starting running back Brian Robinson Jr. is a solid grinder, but he lacks breakaway speed, elite receiving skills and a knack for getting into the end zone.
Cook would be an upgrade in almost every area, one reason why he’s previously been mooted as a worthy trade target for the Commanders. Plays like this 49-yard touchdown run against the Miami Dolphins last season, when Cook “reached a top speed of 20.99 mph, the fastest speed as a ball carrier of his career,” per Next Gen Stats, showcased the player’s greater big-play threat.
The superior breakaway potential offered by Cook is underscored by a career average of 4.9 yards per carry. Robinson, by contrast, has averaged just 4.1 yards per rush and scored a mere 15 touchdowns on the ground across three seasons.
What Robinson needs to do is get into the secondary more often before he’s hit, but the Commanders don’t need to gamble on that happening. Not when Cook is available, nor when an unheralded rookie is already turning heads.
Commanders Can Boost Running Game from Within
If Peters doesn’t want to part with more trade capital, after swinging deals for wide receiver Deebo Samuel and left tackle Laremy Tunsil this offseason, he could trust what’s already on the depth chart.
Specifically, Peters and head coach Dan Quinn might bet on 2025 NFL draft seventh-round pick Jacory Croskey-Merritt continuing the upward surge he’s on this offseason. Momentum is building for the rookie sleeper thanks to plays at camp like this run.
Croskey-Merritt is showing off the burst and elusiveness the Commanders need from their lead back. Combining his natural dynamism with dual-threat quarterback Jayden Daniels could form a special one-two punch in the backfield.
This scenario would also save Peters from engineering another deal for a high-profile veteran. Leaving the Commanders to instead focus on working to resolve the contract standoff with No. 1 wide receiver Terry McLaurin.
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