Commanders’ rookie continues to shine with standout performance, which makes offseason decisions even tougher
Bill Croskey-Merritt stepped up with standout performance after Chris Rodriguez was a late scratch due to an illness. Should the Commanders still add a running back this offseason?
The Washington Commanders’ loss to the Dallas Cowboys wasn’t all doom and gloom after many players had performances worth noting.
The defense couldn’t get off the field on fourth downs, but when the offense did have its opportunities, it made the most of them. The Commanders had to start third-string quarterback Josh Johnson, so getting a run game established was critical. Chris Rodriguez Jr. was a late scratch just an hour before the game with an illness, and Bill Croskey-Merritt had to step up.
He’s had some major moments this season, and ending the year on a high note is exactly what this team needed, and he delivered.
Bill Croskey-Merritt had a standout game as the RB1 against the Cowboys
Despite the struggles this season, the Commanders have still been able to run the ball at a high level as one of the best rushing attacks in the league. It hasn’t been a one-man show, though, as they’ve rotated a running back committee ever since Austin Ekeler was lost for the season in Week 2. Rodriguez Jr. and Croskey-Merritt have taken turns all season with getting the majority of the carries, even when the team is playing from behind because of the defense.
Croskey-Merritt had his number called on Thursday against the Cowboys after Rodriguez Jr. was ruled out with an illness, and he made the most of it. He finished with 11 carries for 105 yards and two touchdowns to go with it. This is the first 100-yard rusher in a game since Croskey-Merritt did it in Week 5 against the Los Angeles Chargers. His second touchdown came on a 72-yard house call, which was also the longest rush of the season.
Croskey-Merritt has continued to show that trading Brian Robinson Jr. before the season was the right call, and he has a burst that no other running back has in the backfield. The Commanders need to analyze the entire running back room this offseason, and decide what moves to make, and if Croskey-Merritt should be the RB1 next season or not.
The Commanders need to decide whether to add a running back this offseason or bring back the current room
The Commanders only have one running back under contract next season, which is obviously Croskey-Merritt as a rookie, and they have to decide on Rodriguez Jr. and Jeremy McNichols. There will be plenty of opportunities this offseason to add a free agent like Rachaad White, Breece Hall, Kenneth Walker III, and many others, or even draft another like Jeremiyah Love.
Do the Commanders need a dedicated RB1 on the roster next season, or should they bring back the trio to rotate in the run game again? It wouldn’t surprise me if they got a top lead back that’s available in free agency and let Croskey-Merritt rotate in, and bring back either Rodriguez Jr or McNichols, and let the other go. They should never turn down the opportunity to add a top talent with the state of this roster, especially if the price is right.
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