Even with the Washington Commanders prepared to move on from starter Brian Robinson Jr., a fellow running back knew he needed to make two big changes to earn a spot on the 53-man roster.
Former practice squad member Chris Rodriguez Jr. had clear goals entering the offseason. He wanted to get faster and prove his worth as a receiver out of the backfield.
The sixth-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft took steps to achieve both aims, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic. Jhabvala explained why the Commanders’ lone power back wanted to trim down: “Rodriguez said his normal playing weight had been around 225 to 230 pounds. But after he suffered a high ankle sprain late in his rookie season, it jumped to 235 pounds, the heaviest of his career. He failed to make the initial 53-man roster in 2024 and knew he needed to change to have a chance this year.”
His objective was to add greater speed to his game after Rodriguez took advice from a key Commanders assistant coach.
Coaching Advice Changed Chris Rodriguez Jr.’s Approach
Rodriguez revealed to Jhabvala how he “did talk to (special teams coordinator Larry) Izzo last year, and being on the practice squad, he was saying one of the reasons on special teams why he liked other guys in that position is because I wasn’t running as fast as some of them. So I made it my mission to become faster, which was more technique for me. And obviously, I was heavy.”
Carrying the extra weight didn’t just mean Rodriguez wasn’t getting downhill quickly enough in football’s third phase. It also meant he lacked a breakaway threat as a ball-carrier.
The fix involved “working with Lily Abdelmalek, the founder of DSA Sports Performance,” whom Jhabvala explains “specializes in speed and change-of-direction skills.”
Abdelmalek had a clear plan of action for getting Rodriguez up to speed: “I really emphasize being efficient — foot placement. Especially in his position, being able to cut, create separation, accelerate and maintain that speed for his breakaway is huge. So I think that’s something that, just understanding you have more explosiveness when you tighten up your footwork, you’re able to be more efficient in that sense.”
Benefits of that work showed up in preseason when Rodriguez burst clear for 40 yards against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2.
The significance of this long gain wasn’t lost on Rodriguez, who placed it in context as part of a series of quicker breaks he’s produced this offseason. As he put it, “I think last year I hit 20 mph probably three times, maybe, throughout the whole year, and I hit it more times in training camp than I have in almost my whole life.”
Rodriguez has timed his in-career adjustment perfectly after the Commanders dealt Robinson to the San Francisco 49ers for only a modest return. It means there’s space for Rodriguez to be part of an evolving ground attack where versatility will be vital in the fight for extra reps.
Fortunately, the 24-year-old is already working to add to his skill-set.
Commanders RB Working on Niche Skill
Catching passes out of the backfield is a staple trait for any competent pro running back, but those exceptional in this area are nuanced route-runners. Rodriguez isn’t there yet, so he’s also “worked with wide receivers coach Drew Lieberman, intending to improve his pass catching and route running ahead of another season in Kingsbury’s system, which often features backs in the pass game. Rodriguez has been targeted with passes all of three times in his pro career,” per Jhabvala.
Being a dual-threat back is essential in a Commanders offense based on multiplicity among roving playmakers. It starts with mobile quarterback Jayden Daniels, but All-Pro wide receiver and sometimes running back Deebo Samuel also keeps defenses guessing, a trait he shares with natural pass-catching back Austin Ekeler.
Rodriguez needs to match the diverse skill-sets of those at the top of Daniel’s supporting cast if he’s going to get onto the field more often. It won’t be easy when Ekeler, 2025 NFL draft seventh-round pick Jacory Croskey-Merritt, an offseason star, and Jeremy McNichols, another useful pass-catcher, are also on the depth chart.
Making changes to both his physique and playing style will at least give Rodriguez a better chance of being a factor as Washington’s Robinson-less running game comes into focus.
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