The Washington Commanders have been both going to launch or commerce their presumptive beginning working again after the group let or not it’s recognized they have been prepared to maneuver on this week. And fortunately for them, they’ve discovered a commerce accomplice within the San Francisco 49ers, per ESPN’s Nicki Jhabvala. The 49ers reportedly will ship a 2026 sixth-round choose for the third-year again.
The group apparently started to bitter on Robinson towards the tip of final season, however they didn’t spend a lot draft capital on working backs, opting to attend till the seventh spherical to take Jacory Croskey-Merritt with Choose 245. The excellent news for Washington is that Croskey-Merrit has confirmed his price in trainmen camp and preseason, giving the group the flexibleness to maneuver on from Robinson.
Commanders backfield fantasy fallout
With Robinson out of the image, the group now has Chris Rodriguez, Austin Ekeler, Croskey-Merritt and Jeremy McNichols as their prime 3 backs. There are 225 touches vacated with Robinson gone, giving somebody a giant increase in work this yr.
We all know Ekeler isn’t going anyplace and will stay the highest intestine on third downs and the 4 minute drill, whereas the group doubtless appears to seek out the perfect match for the early down position between Rodriguez and Croskey-Merritt. Rodriguez hasn’t had sufficient work to show himself because the no-doubt lead again going into his third yr. He’s even been despatched to the follow squad a pair occasions. Neither again has nice draft capital, as Rodriguez went within the sixth spherical, so I count on Croskey-Merritt to get his shot on the job. That doesn’t imply Rodriguez gained’t be the starter come Week 1, however I do just like the rookie’s upside to take over the lead position because the season goes on. He’ll be price grabbing in redraft except his ADP skyrockets after this information.
49ers backfield fantasy fallout
Final season Robinson rushed 205 occasions for 797 yards and eight touchdowns, whereas catching 20-of-25 targets for 159 further yards by 12 begins. It was his greatest season in Washington statistically regardless of the shortened season. The 49ers backfield is continually in flux as a result of their backs can’t appear to remain wholesome. Final season Christian McCaffrey solely performed 4 video games on account of accidents, however is once more slated to start out. Behind him are second yr participant Isaac Guerendo and rookie Jordan James. Each have handled accidents this offseason, and if you add in McCaffrey’s damage threat, getting Robinson looks like a precaution.
Robinson isn’t an amazing runner by any means, however his skill between the tackles as a lead again is sweet sufficient, and might be actually good in a Kyle Shanahan schemed run recreation. Guerendo performed nicely in aid of McCaffrey final season and lately returned to follow. He ought to stay the RB2 for now, whereas Robinson mixes in to compete for that job as we begin the season. This makes each Robinson and Gurendo first rate late picks on account of CMC’s damage historical past and Shanahan’s historical past of turning nearly all of his working backs into fantasy starters.
