Commanders’ long shot rookie finds himself on a list any rookie would want to be on heading into OTAs
The Commanders are looking into every player on their roster heading into OTAs and there’s one rookie that has a chance to turn some heads in the coming weeks.
It’s hard for any undrafted free agent to make a 53-man roster and the same goes with the Washington Commanders’ 2026 crop of UDFA rookies heading into OTAs.
There are several UDFAs that have a chance to make some waves during the offseason, but one in particular has a better shot than the others thanks to his skill set: former UTSA Roadrunners running back Robert Henry Jr.
Per The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, Henry Jr. recorded six plays of 70+ yards in 2025, which is wild to think about. No matter what level of football you’re playing.
The fact Henry Jr. can break off a big gain at any moment can carry a lot of weight with the coaching staff over the next few weeks and it can certainly help him break into an already-crowded running back room.
As noted above, I pointed Henry Jr. out a little while after the draft ended and other outlets are starting to pick up on his name. Most recently, Bleacher Report tabbed Henry Jr. as the Commanders’ most exciting UDFA ahead of OTAs:
The Washington running back room isn’t exactly loaded—the team’s lead back is a second-year pro who was a seventh-round pick last year.
Henry has a realistic shot to earn a roster spot if he carries his college burst and elusiveness into camp
gary davenport
Bleacher Report
What are Henry Jr.’s chances of making the Commanders’ 53-man roster entering OTAs?
The Commanders have a very crowded running back room and it’s honestly pretty solid top-down. However, the one thing the room lacks is a truly dynamic runner like Henry Jr.
His skill set, alone, can really help him stand out. Especially if he can carve out a role on special teams. Because let’s be real – Rachaad White and Bill Croskey-Merritt will likely be the top-2 options running the show. Sixth-round rookie Kaytron Allen and veterans Jeremy McNichols and Jerome Ford round out the rest of the room.
The team really likes McNichols. who has played well when called upon. It’s his special teams prowess and tone-setting play that the coaching staff really loves, though, which should earn him a roster spot as long as he holds his usual standard of play.
That leaves Allen, Ford, and Henry Jr. as the final guys for what would be the fourth, and likely final, running back spot on the roster.
Allen likely has the initial leg up simply due to draft position, but at the same time, he’s a sixth-round pick. The Commanders aren’t committed to him by any means. Ford’s specialty is in the pass game, but he’s coming off an unproductive season that saw him record the lowest amount of offensive snaps since his rookie year in 2022.
In other words: There’s a favorite for the RB4 job, but there’s no lock. With a strong offseason, Henry Jr. could certainly find his way there.