Three free agent running backs the Washington Commanders could target in 2026

After last season’s 5-12 finish, one thing is abundantly clear for Washington football fans. The team needs to add a significant amount of talent during the offseason. While Adam Peters will continue to use the draft, the Commanders GM will also have an estimated $82 million in cap space at his disposal after various projected restructures, releases, and dead cap hits. Jayden Daniels is entering his third year, and the clock is ticking on the franchise quarterback’s rookie contract, making this arguably the most critical free agency of the new millennium for Washington. With free agency set to open on March 11th, Hogs Haven will be working to bring you articles on potential targets to fill various positions of need:

Top Needs:

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Secondary Needs:

In each article, we will briefly summarize the team’s current situation at the position, traits the coaching staff will prioritize, along with a list of the top free agents and a detailed look at a few players that fit the team at different projected average annual values (AAV), typically one high-, one moderate-, and one low-cost contract.

Today, we finish our free agent series with the running backs. If you would like an overview of the defensive tackle position, be sure to read the linked article by Hogs Haven member, Shogun of Harlem. Click on the position group above for a brief overview and the defensive tackle section; stay and read the full assessment to get ready for Monday.

Position Summary

Currently Under Contract:

• Bill Croskey-Merritt: On 2nd-year of rookie deal.

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Significant Free Agents:

Often discussed last season, the Commanders have no running backs under contract beyond seventh-round selection Bill Croskey-Merritt. Fortunately, the much hyped running back delivered a solid season, but Bill is not an every-down back and another piece is needed. Chris Rodriguez filled that role after Ekeler’s season-ending injury and enjoyed the best season of his career. Still, Rodriguez looked limited as well and the decision on the restricted free agent’s tender looms before the start of free agency. The right of first refusal would be the cheapest option available at a projected $3.52 million. Jeremy McNichols also enjoyed a great season and while Adam Peters certainly needs to upgrade the room, there should be some interest in bringing McNichols back. Austin Ekeler’s loss was a noticeable blow to the offense, however there is reason to think his career might be over. David Blough praised Bill Merritt in his introductory presser, but admitted with only one player under contract, additions would be needed. Washington is expected to move to a zone-based run scheme under Blough.

Top 2026 Running Back Free Agents:

Kenneth Walker III

Travis Etienne

Rico Dowdle

Tyler Allgeier

Isiah Pacheco

Michael Carter

Brian Robinson

Rachaad White

Kenneth Gainwell

Najee Harris

Austin Ekeler

Jeremy McNichols

Travis Etienne, 27, Jaguars

Height/Weight: 5’10”, 215 lbs

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Career Stats:

Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 3/6/2026.

Spotrac Projection: 2 years, $13,627,624

AAV: $6.8M

If the Commanders want a lead back that excels in both the rushing and receiving game, here is the top choice. A first-round pick in the 2021 draft, Etienne missed his rookie campaign with a Lisfranc injury. However, he has become a focal point of Jacksonville’s offense, crossing the 1,000-yard mark three times in the past four years. Along with his 25 rushing touchdowns, Travis has been active in the receiving game with 1,338 receiving yards and 7 receiving touchdowns. Six of those touchdowns came last season as he demonstrated a natural receiving style out of the backfield.

The Jaguars blend both zone and gap schemes, but offensive coordinator Liam Coen tailors his play calls around his backs. He utilized a number of different calls, including wide zone to rejuvenate Etienne’s play. The running back has the vision and burst to succeed in a high-volume zone rushing attack:

Travis does have a few flaws, including an upright running style that can lead to lower body injuries and a propensity for turning over the football. He has recorded 7 total fumbles during his career, with 5 coming in 2022, but cleaned up his ball security last season and was only credited with one. Etienne also requires a high volume of carries to be successful, and even his improved yards per carry last season (4.3) ranks him in the middle of all running backs. Still, he has all the necessary tools to be the primary back in David Blough’s rushing attack and would pair well with Bill Merritt.

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I think Spotrac has his AAV too low, with reports already surfacing that Etienne Jr. will land a contract north of $10M. Those kinds of numbers feel like a luxury for a team with multiple roster holes, but if Adam Peters wants to improve his backfield with a versatile and powerful workhorse player, Travis Etienne fits the bill.

Kenneth Gainwell, 26, Steelers

Height/Weight: 5’9”, 200 lbs

Career Stats:

	Rushing	Receiving	Scrimmage
22	PHI	NFL	RB	16	1	68	291	5	19	50.0	18	4.3	18.2	4.3	50	33	253	7.7	1	16	44.0	19	2.1	15.8	66.0	5.1	101	5.4	544	6	2	5
23	PHI	NFL	RB	17	0	53	240	4	21	62.3	13	4.5	14.1	3.1	29	23	169	7.3	0	8	41.4	20	1.4	9.9	79.3	5.8	76	5.4	409	4	0	4
24	PHI	NFL	RB	16	2	84	364	2	19	39.3	32	4.3	22.8	5.3	37	30	183	6.1	0	11	48.6	19	1.9	11.4	81.1	4.9	114	4.8	547	2	3	5
25	PHI	NFL	RB	17	1	75	290	1	15	24.0	20	3.9	17.1	4.4	22	16	116	7.3	0	6	40.9	16	0.9	6.8	72.7	5.3	91	4.5	406	1	0	3
26	PIT	NFL	RB	17	2	114	537	5	34	55.3	55	4.7	31.6	6.7	85	73	486	6.7	3	23	40.0	45	4.3	28.6	85.9	5.7	187	5.5	1023	8	2	9

Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 3/6/2026.

Spotrac Projection: 2 years, $5,922,504

AAV: $3.0M

If the Commanders don’t want to break the bank with Etienne, there are several mid-tier options available. Rachaad White makes a lot of sense, and I profiled him earlier in the offseason. While White brings a lot in the receiving department, he is somewhat lacking as a runner. Conversely, Tyler Allgeier would be a good fit for a zone scheme, but offers little in the receiving game. Instead, we will focus on another free agent that provides value in both areas.

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Kenneth Gainwell was a fifth-round selection by the Eagles in the 2021 draft and went on to have modest success as a rookie. Operating as a rotational back, he continued to provide both rushing and receiving yards during his time in Philadelphia including a 112-yard, 1-TD performance versus the Giants in the 2022 divisional playoffs. The running back signed a one-year deal with the Steelers in free agency and quickly became a role player behind Jaylen Warren. His 486 receiving yards last season ranked fifth among running backs. Kenneth was also effective on the ground with a 47% success rate on 114 carries for 537 yards and five touchdowns. Gainwell also produced in a lead role when Warren missed time, rushing 19 times for 99 yards and two touchdowns in Week 4 and soaking up seven passes for 81 yards and two touchdowns in Week 12. Johnathan Heitritter of Steelers Depot did a nice film review of Gainwell’s skill set that reviews several plays like this one:

A shifty, elusive back with good vision, Gainwell explodes vertically. Carrying a very reasonable $3M AAV, there isn’t much to not like about Kenneth, but if there is a knock, it would be that he is undersized. That hasn’t kept him from being incredibly durable. Gainwell has only missed two regular season games in his entire career, but keep in mind he typically plays in a rotational role. The free agent does not have the frame to be a lead back but could pair nicely with another player to keep both fresh and available for a full season.

As Bill Barnwell of ESPN stated on his show:

You don’t want to pay for a Kenneth Walker, or a Travis Etienne? I think Gainwell is gonna fit in right in that middle tier. He’s gonna get less than what Javonte Williams got. And I think he could be every bit as good of a player.

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Keaton Mitchell, 24, Ravens (RFA)

Height/Weight: 5’8”,190 lbs

Career Stats:

	Rushing	Receiving	Scrimmage
21	BAL	NFL	RB	8	2	47	396	2	19	68.1	60	8.4	49.5	5.9	11	9	93	10.3	0	5	63.6	32	1.1	11.6	81.8	8.5	56	8.7	489	2	0	4
22	BAL	NFL	RB	5	0	15	30	0	2	40.0	7	2.0	6.0	3.0	1	1	28	28.0	0	1	100.0	28	0.2	5.6	100.0	28.0	16	3.6	58	0	0	0
23	BAL	NFL	RB	13	0	59	341	1	16	54.2	55	5.8	26.2	4.5	12	9	63	7.0	0	2	41.7	17	0.7	4.8	75.0	5.3	68	5.9	404	1	1	3

Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 3/7/2026.

Spotrac Projection: N/A

AAV: $2.7M (Author Projection)

Our last free agent has the most complex situation of all. A restricted rights free agent, Baltimore has several tender options to assign to Keaton Mitchell. Much like Rodriguez, the one that makes the most sense is the first right of refusal tender, again projected to be $3.5 million. If the Ravens decide to assign the tender to Mitchell, he will remain under team control. If another team extends a higher offer, the Ravens must match or lose him to the better deal with no compensation. Alternatively, Eric DeCosta may decide Mitchell is not worth the value of the tender and let Keaton become an unrestricted free agent. Given the number of pending extensions the Ravens currently are facing this could be a realistic outcome.

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As a rookie, Keaton Mitchell broke out midway through the season after being activated from injured reserve, exploding for 138 yards on nine carries and scoring his first rushing touchdown. He continued his impressive play before tearing his ACL in Week 15. Mitchell finished his rookie season with 47 carries for 396 yards and two rushing touchdowns in eight games. He started the 2024 season on the PUP list and ended up seeing limited action in only five games.

Keaton started as a healthy scratch this season, but eventually worked into a rotational role behind Derrick Henry and Justice Hill providing a spark for the offense with his speed. He finished the season with 59 carries for 341 yards and touchdown including an impressive 5.8 yards per carry average. Mitchell also added nine receptions for 63 yards on twelve targets. When healthy, Keaton has 4.3 speed, excellent vision, and quick processing at the line:

All of this fits nicely for a team looking to utilize more zone schemes and in need of a playmaker in the backfield. Mitchell is undersized, needs work in pass protection, and clearly has a lengthy injury history, but if the Ravens decide not to tender Keaton, Adam Peters should be quick to inquire about signing the explosive playmaker. Paired with the threat of Jayden Daniels, Mitchell could find plenty of opportunities in the open field to utilize his speed.

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Bottom Line

The Commanders are going to add to their backfield in free agency. Depending on how they view Chris Rodriguez, there might be more than one addition. Much like the other position groups in this series, Adam Peters must prioritize what the team needs and evaluate how much to invest in order to maximize the draft and turn the team around in 2026. With the clock ticking on Jayden Daniels’ rookie contract, he cannot afford to make the wrong decisions this coming week.