Commanders' 6th-round rookie named a potential impact player in 2026

The Washington Commanders put a big focus on improving their defense this offseason, but that didn't mean that general manager Adam Peters wasn't paying attention to the offense. In fact, four of their six draft picks were on the offensive side of the ball, plus tight end Chig Okonkwo joined the ranks along with Rachaad White in free agency.

One of the Commanders' draft picks was running back Kaytron Allen, who has a punishing running style that could see him earn a fair share of the workload during his rookie season. Nothing will be set until the final 53-man roster is set, but one Bleacher Report writer puts Allen as one of five rookie running backs who can make an impact this season. Gary Davenport writes, in part:

After setting a career high with 1,303 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns last year with the Nittany Lions, the Washington Commanders selected Kaytron Allen at No. 187 overall.

While speaking to reporters, the 5'11", 216-pounder said he's eager to try to carve out a role in Washington's offense this year:

"I'm ready to get to work right now. I feel like I'm a competitor, and me being in the room, I feel like it's going to make everybody better for sure. I just feel like when players around me, they got no other choice but to get better around me just because of my work ethic and how I go about playing football. I love football, so I put everything into it. And I just feel like if you're around me, you gotta love football, or if not, it's going to show. I feel like if they draft me, that means they want me to come there and do something special, and I'm ready for it. I'm ready for the challenge, and I'm ready to get to work, man."

The Commanders have already shown they will hand a large role in the backfield to a rookie. Last year, Jacory Croskey-Merritt went from a seventh-round pick to the lead back in the nation's capital.

Allen recorded over 1,000 yards rushing in both his junior and senior seasons at Penn State, although he did it in fewer carries as a senior, bringing yards per carry from 5.0 to 6.2, while nearly doubling his touchdown production.

Croskey-Merritt isn't going to give up his role so easily, but the Commanders' rushing situation is likely to be by committee in 2026. Unless, or until, one player carves out the lead back role for himself. It will be a battle between Croskey-Merritt, White, and Allen, with Jeremy McNichols jumping in on occasion. Regardless of how it pans out in the end, Allen has the potential to make a big impact in 2026.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders' 6th-round rookie named a potential impact player in 2026