Grading the signing: Commanders finally address glaring need by adding underrated playmaker for Jayden Daniels
The Commanders needed to solidify their biggest strength on offense last season after losing key free agents, and they did by adding a top playmaker.
The Washington Commanders invested a lot of money in free agency on improving the defensive side of the ball, but their few offensive signings have been just as impactful.
General manager Adam Peters added TE Chig Okonkwo to improve the passing game; now it was time to focus on the run game. They let RB Chris Rodriguez go in free agency, and Bill Croskey-Merritt was the only RB under contract.
It didn’t stay that way for long, however, because they just improved the running back room with their latest free agent signing.
Commanders sign RB Rachaad White
We all knew it would happen, but now it’s official. The Commanders are signing RB Rachaad White to a one-year contract, and he’s reuniting with his former college QB Jayden Daniels.
A to Z Sports Tampa Bay beat writer Evan Winter says that White is very underrated, and coming to Washington with a clear goal: to be a complete running back and produce at a high level.
“Rachaad White is definitely one of the more under-the-radar free agents. Yes, he’s more of a Tier 2-type running back, but he can still carry a ground game as the preferred guy. He’s a physical runner who can also make plays in the passing game and is very good in pass pro. He’s not going to break off an 80-yard touchdown run anytime soon, but he can wear defenses down with his running style and big frame at 6-foot, 214 pounds. He also wants to be the top guy in a rushing attack, so he’s coming in with a fire lit under him and purpose, which is always a good mindset for a player to be in.” – Evan Winter, A to Z Sports Tampa Bay
Grading the Commanders’ signing of RB Rachaad White
The Commanders needed another RB, and they got a high-end producer in White, who just turned 27 years old. He’s on a one-year prove-it deal, so there’s no risk, and he will be motivated as ever. White is coming off a career-best season in 2025 with zero fumbles on 132 carries and zero drops on 42 targets in the passing game.
He averaged 4.2 yards per carry and forced 25 missed tackles. White has a solid chance to lead the team in carries next season because he’s a top-end pass protector and can do everything on offense, where Croskey-Merritt can’t.
This doesn’t impact the option of drafting RB Jeremiyah Love if they want to, but it also protects them if they miss out on him. They still need to add another RB, but this is a homerun signing with White being a complete and dangerous RB.
GRADE: A
Washington Commanders News
Commanders 2026 NFL Free Agency Tracker: Every free agent signing, in-house return, and release made by Washington
Every move the Commanders make during the 2026 NFL free agency period, including big-splash signings, in-house returns, and surprise releases.
