The Washington Commanders have a found a new home for starting running back Brian Robinson Jr., but they’re only getting a modest draft pick in return.
A trade was confirmed on Friday, August 22 by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. He reported Robinson is set to become a member of the San Francisco 49ers, who are sending just a sixth-round pick in the 2026 NFL draft to Washington in return.
Robinson is en route to Levi’s Stadium “to take his physical,” per Schefter.
Things look worse for the Commanders when NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported “Washington has agreed to take on some of the $3.4 million owed to Robinson this season as part of the trade agreement.”
The deal brings the curtain down on Robinson’s tenure with the Commanders, and also serves as an indictment of the draft record of the previous regime. Most of the prime picks selected by former head coach Ron Rivera and general manager Martin Mayhew have been jettisoned for little or no return.
Replacements Dan Quinn and Adam Peters can now focus on constructing a viable running game without Robinson. Their task has been made easier by the emergence of a late-round pick in this year’s draft.
Commanders Had to Take What They Could Get
Peters is essentially paying for Robinson to play for somebody else, a fellow contender in the NFC no less, but the Commanders had little choice but to take what they could get. Robinson has been a serviceable starter, but little else during three seasons in the pros.
An average of 4.1 yards per carry is solid, but there was nothing spectacular about Robinson’s game. He lacks the elite speed to amass big gains before contact, but the 26-year-old also doesn’t possess the overwhelming physical power to break tackles in bunches.
Generating a mere 15 rushing touchdowns also showed Robinson hasn’t developed a nose for the end zone. Replacing Robinson’s workmanlike presence will take a committee approach, but the Commanders can feel confident about their existing options.
Brian Robinson Jr. Can Be Replaced by Committee
The best members of the committee might be a pair of late-round picks. Starting with a physical bruiser who has already made clear he’s focused on moving on and taking his chance.
Turning Chris Rodriguez Jr. loose between the tackles will give the Commanders a power element, but this year’s breakout rookie can provide some game-changing speed. Seventh-rounder Jacory Croskey-Merritt has shown enough in preseason, including this 27-yard burst against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2, to prove his potential as a starter.
Croskey-Merritt’s development can be aided by the experience of returning veterans Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols. Both offer useful versatility as pass-catchers out of the backfield, while Ekeler can also unleash some game-changing speed, a quality he shares with dual-threat playmakers, NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year quarterback Jayden Daniels and All-Pro wide receiver Deebo Samuel.
The star power, experience and wide range of skill sets mean the Commanders have the right collective to move on from Robinson and stay effective on the ground. Even so, Peters might wish he’d been able to get a little more in return from his former team.
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