The Missing Piece: Why Washington Needs a Speed Back

THE MISSING PIECE: HOW A SPEED BACK COULD MAKE THE COMMANDERS UNSTOPPABLE

For Commanders fans dreaming of a championship run in 2025, the answer might be just one draft pick away.

The Washington Commanders are on the cusp of something special. With rookie sensation Jayden Daniels tearing up the league, solid investments at receiver, dependable veteran Zack Ertz providing a reliable target at tight end, and a decent ground game, the pieces are falling into place.

But something's missing—that game-breaking speed out of the backfield that turns promising offences into unstoppable ones.

As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, with Washington holding the 29th pick, now's the time to consider how one smart selection could transform this promising offence into one of the league's most explosive units.

WHY THIS MATTERS NOW

The NFL has evolved into a league where explosive plays often decide matches. Teams like the Eagles and Ravens have shown how a multidimensional rushing attack featuring a speed element creates nightmares for opposing defences.

With Daniels establishing himself as a dual-threat quarterback, the moment's perfect to maximise his skillset with a complementary running back who can punish defences for focusing too much attention on the passing game.

The current backfield group of Brian Robinson Jr., Austin Ekeler, Jeremy McNichols, and Chris Rodriguez Jr. offers reliability and versatility but lacks that home-run element that keeps defensive coordinators awake at night.

The 2024 stats tell the story: despite a solid 5.0 yards per carry as a team, the explosive plays were limited, and remarkably, quarterback Daniels led the team in rushing with 891 yards.

What's even more telling is the difference between Daniels and the rest of the rushing attack. When you remove his 148 carries for 891 yards at an impressive 6.02 yards per carry, the remaining runners averaged 4.57 yards per carry.

Looking at the Commanders' current situation, there's potential for something special brewing. Daniels has already shown he's the real deal at quarterback. The rushing attack put up respectable numbers in 2024, but with the QB leading the team in yards and accounting for 34% of the ground production, there's a noticeable gap waiting to be filled.

There's also the matter of long-term sustainability. While Daniels' rushing ability is a tremendous weapon, having your franchise quarterback shoulder so much of the rushing burden significantly increases injury risk.

Adding an explosive running back would diversify the offence and help protect the team's most valuable investment by reducing the number of hits Daniels takes over the course of a season.

The running back room isn't bad by any means—Robinson brings power, Ekeler offers versatility, McNichols provides additional depth, and Rodriguez rounds out the group. But none of them brings that lightning-in-a-bottle quality that turns 7-yard gains into 70-yard touchdowns. That's precisely the element Washington needs to take their offence to elite status.

With the right draft pick in 2025, Washington could complete an offensive arsenal to give defensive coordinators sleepless nights and transform the team from playoff probables into genuine championship contenders.

WASHINGTON'S RUNNING BACK DRAFT HISTORY

Washington has had mixed success selecting running backs in the draft. Looking back at their history, it's notable that they've only used a first-round pick on a running back once in the modern NFL era, Ray McDonald, a fullback from Idaho, selected 13th overall in 1967.

In more recent decades, several notable selections stand out:

• Brian Robinson Jr. (2022, 3rd round, 98th overall) has proven himself a solid performer, eclipsing 1,000 scrimmage yards in 2023. The Alabama product has a remarkable story, having overcome gunshot wounds just weeks before his rookie season to become a key contributor for the Commanders. His resilience was recognised with the Ed Block Courage Award, and he's established himself as a reliable power back who can also contribute in the passing game.

• Antonio Gibson (2020, 3rd round, 66th overall) provided multiple productive seasons, including a 1,000+ yard campaign in 2021.

• Derrius Guice (2018, 2nd round, 59th overall) never realised his potential due to off-field issues and injuries.

• Matt Jones (2015, 3rd round, 95th overall) showed flashes but didn't pan out as expected.

• Alfred Morris (2012, 6th round, 173rd overall) became one of the franchise's best draft steals, rushing for over 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons.

What's notable about Washington's history is that their most successful backs have often come from the middle rounds (3rd-6th), which aligns with the league-wide trend.

Most NFL teams now find their running backs outside the first round, reserving those premium picks for other positions. However, the truly special, franchise-altering backs—the ones who can transform an entire offence with their game-breaking ability—still warrant first-round consideration.

With Washington potentially one explosive playmaker away from championship contention, the 29th pick in 2025 could be the perfect spot to select that rare difference-maker who brings the top-end speed the current group lacks.

2025 DRAFT TARGETS: WHICH SPEED MERCHANT FITS THE BILL?

Looking at the projected top 100 prospects for the 2025 NFL Draft, several intriguing running back options stand out for Washington, with speed being the essential quality to complement the current backfield:

First-Round Consideration (Pick #29)

Omarion Hampton (North Carolina) - Ranked #41 on major draft boards, Hampton could be the perfect addition at Washington's 29th pick. Described as "a workhorse back who hits a lot of doubles," Hampton combines power between the tackles with receiving skills that make him even more valuable in today's NFL.

Though not purely a speed back, his power, contact balance, and versatility would significantly upgrade Washington's backfield. He plays much bigger than his listed 6-foot, 221-pound frame suggests.

Second-Round Options

TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State) - Ranked #68 in draft projections, Henderson brings the explosive element Washington's backfield lacks. His big-play ability and acceleration would complement Daniels' running style perfectly. If Washington wants to address another position in the first round, Henderson would be tremendous value in the second.

Bhayshul Tuten (Virginia Tech) - Coming in at #73 on draft boards, Tuten offers game-breaking speed and elusiveness. His ability to create explosive plays from minimal openings would add a dimension the Commanders' running game currently lacks.

Third-Round Value

Brashard Smith (SMU) - Ranked #81, Smith represents outstanding value if he falls to Washington's third-round pick. His blazing speed and ability to score from anywhere on the field would immediately transform the Commanders' offence.

Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State) - At #99 on projections, Judkins could be the steal of the draft. After transferring to Ohio State from Ole Miss, he brings a combination of power and burst that could make him an immediate contributor.

The Right Strategy

Given Washington's roster construction and draft position, they have several viable approaches.

While Hampton would add a dynamic presence to the backfield, the team could wait until the second round for a back like Henderson or Tuten, using their first-round selection to address other needs such as an edge rusher, linebacker, wide receiver, or defensive secondary.

The history of NFL drafts shows that quality running backs often slide to the second and third rounds, representing tremendous value. This could allow Washington to strengthen another position group at #29 while securing a game-changing back with their second selection.

Regardless of which round they target a running back, the key is identifying a player with true home-run hitting ability, someone who can punish defences for focusing too much on containing Daniels in the pocket. With the proper selection, Washington could field one of the league's most dangerous offensive attacks in 2025.

MY IDEAL SCENARIO

If I were in Washington's war room, I would prefer to trade down from pick #29, accumulating additional draft capital while still positioning themselves to select TreVeyon Henderson.

The Ohio State product brings exactly the explosive element this offence needs, genuine breakaway speed combined with the vision to find creases and the acceleration to turn them into touchdowns.

By moving back in the draft and collecting extra picks, the Commanders could address multiple needs while still securing the dynamic running back who could transform their offence.

Henderson's big-play ability paired with Daniels' dual-threat skill set would create a nightmare for opposing defensive coordinators and potentially vault Washington into championship contention.

For Commanders fans eager to see their team take the next step toward championship contention, the coming draft could provide the final piece of an offensive puzzle years in the making.