NFL Draft: Commanders Taking Another RB?
The Washington Commanders could be in line for a running back in this year's upcoming draft.
While the team has taken a running back in each of the past two drafts (Brian Robinson Jr. in 2022, Chris Rodriguez Jr. in 2023), Washington could look to take another at the position with Antonio Gibson testing free agency this offseason.
Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (23) celebrates a second half touchdown against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium.
Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
It's also the first draft in his tenure as general manager for Adam Peters, who spent 2017-23 as an assistant with the San Francisco 49ers.
Here's a look at his history of drafting running backs with the Niners ...
Running back:
2017: Joe Williams - 4th round (121)
2021: Trey Sermon - 3rd round (88)
2021: Elijah Mitchell - 6th round (194)
2022: Tyrion Davis-Price - 3rd round (93)
Analysis: Running back is one of the 49ers' weaker areas of the draft, as none of the four players had a major role in the team's success last season. Sermon and Williams aren't with the team anymore, while Mitchell and Davis-Price barely see any playing time.
Mitchell showed promise as a rookie in 2021, but injuries in 2022 combined with the 49ers trading for Christian McCaffrey effectively ended his run as their No. 1 option in the backfield. Knowing when to pivot when things aren't panning out with a player is a good tool to have in your back pocket, and when a First-Team All-Pro running back like McCaffrey becomes available, you'd be wise to do whatever it takes to land him if you're trying to win a Super Bowl.
