"Jacory Croskey-Merritt will be part of Washington's future after a surprise rookie season as a seventh-round pick, but the Commanders can be expected to operate by committee. They've been touted as a potential landing spot for Super Bowl LX MVP Kenneth Walker III, but it's another free agent who suddenly seems like a real possibility."
"Dowdle played last season with the Carolina Panthers after spending his first five campaigns with the Dallas Cowboys, though he missed all of 2021 due to a hip injury. The former undrafted free agent out of South Carolina has rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of the past two seasons."
"He is a physical power back who would trade handoffs with the shifty Croskey-Merritt, and Dowdle can also catch out of the backfield. He would likely be a replacement for Chris Rodriguez Jr., who had a breakout year with 500 rushing yards in 2025 but is set to test the market."
The Washington Commanders are expected to be highly active during NFL free agency with significant salary cap space and numerous expiring contracts. The team has identified key needs at safety, defensive end, center, and wide receiver. At running back, while Croskey-Merritt is viewed as part of the future after his impressive rookie season, the Commanders are reportedly interested in free agent Rico Dowdle. Dowdle, who spent five seasons with Dallas before playing for Carolina last year, has rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of the past two seasons. His expected market value of $6.5 million annually is easily manageable for Washington and would provide a physical complement to the shifty Croskey-Merritt in a committee setup.
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