Navigating Crowded RB Rooms in 2022: Washington Commanders

Photo: USA Today Sports

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The NFL draft has come and gone. We are finally starting to get a clear picture of what the NFL team’s depth charts will look like for this upcoming season. As a dynasty manager, you should be starting to realize just how muddled the running back position has become. Outside of Jonathan Taylor, Najee Harris, and DAndre Swift, the dynasty running back landscape is tough to distinguish between, and even Najee Harris and D’Andre Swift have question marks. There is no clear consensus for the position, and with a vaunted 2023 class coming next year, it makes it even harder to identify running backs you want to acquire for your dynasty rosters. However, the 2023 class isn’t here yet, and we need to win leagues this year. With that in mind, in this series of articles, we will be looking at five crowded running back rooms and just how you should be attacking each this season. Our last is the Washington Commanders

OffSeason Changes

The Commanders were busy this offseason. The team traded for Carson Wentz to try to fix their long-time quarterback issues. Time will tell if that was the right move for the Commanders since the 29-year-old Wentz has now been traded in consecutive offseasons. The real question becomes, what does this mean for the running backs on the roster? To understand that, let’s look at Wentz’s passing stats to running backs last season while playing with Indianapolis.

Wentz is middle of the pack regarding the target rate of his running backs in his career. Last year we saw 57% of his targets go-to wide receivers, which can be partly attributed to the Colts' play-action scheme. They looked to push the ball downfield, but when they did target their running backs, they threw the ball to back up Nyheim Hines. He received 57 targets last season, with Jonathan Taylor getting 51 targets. That trend should bode well for backup J.D. McKissic who the Commanders prioritized this offseason with a contract extension after initially signing with the Buffalo Bills. Let’s look at how Washington targeted their running back position within the offense.

Washington saw an increase in their target rate in 2021 up to 12%, and that number would have been higher had McKissic not gotten hurt. He had fifty-three targets through 12 games last season and averaged just over four per game. Based on Wentz’s track record of targeting running backs and the contract McKissic signed this offseason, Mckissic will be an asset in PPR leagues. After McKissic went down, we saw an increase in targets for Antonio Gibson, as he finished the year with fifty-two, but the Commanders have shown us who they trust in the passing game. With the addition of Wentz, we should see more targets go to the Commanders' running back room in 2022. There is value in knowing where those targets will be going.

Offensive Line

Before we jump into the depth chart, let’s look at the Commanders' offensive line. Washington’s offensive line was a positive aspect of the team in 2021. They finished as a top ten unit despite missing multiple players with injuries and Covid-19. Their run-block win rate was first in the NFL, with a 75% success rate. They finished the year as the 12th-rated rushing team in the NFL and shifted their focus to their rushing attack. A positive sign for fantasy managers heading into 2022 if you have any of these running backs on your roster.

The Commanders did lose All-Pro guard Brandon Scherff to the Jacksonville Jaguars, but they were able to fill that hole by adding Andrew Norwell. They also lost Ereck Flowers but upgraded the position by adding Trai Turner from the Steelers. Turner scored his highest blocking grades in his career last season and is an experienced offensive lineman. They also added key depth pieces that should allow them to withstand any injuries or missed time from their starters. This group could be one of the best in the NFL. The offensive line coach John Matsko is a big reason for that success and optimism. He has 31 years of experience and was pivotal in the Carolina Panthers' rushing attack that saw Christian McCaffrey take the league by storm.

Projected Offensive Line

• Left tackle: Charles Leno, Cornelius Lucas, Saahdiq Charles
• Left guard: Andrew Norwell, Saahdiq Charles
• Center: Chase Roullier, Tyler Larsen, Keith Ismael
• Right guard: Trai Turner, Wes Schweitzer, Chris Paul
• Right tackle: Sam Cosmi, Willie Beavers

Antonio Gibson

• Contract Status: 2 years, $2,914,739
• Dynasty ADP: 6th Round RB19

Heading into 2022, head coach Ron Rivera has been quoted as saying that the Commanders will be utilizing a committee backfield because you can't have a primary back in the NFL anymore. With the Commanders drafting Brian Robinson in the third round and re-signing J.D. McKissic this offseason, it looks like Rivera’s quote isn’t being taken out of context. There should be real concern about Gibson’s dynasty value moving forward. The key to fantasy production from running backs is volume, and Gibson’s ceiling is capped in this offense. While he’s been a solid RB2 in overall finishes the last two seasons, his stock is trending downwards. Gibson’s fumble issues are well documented, which could lead him to the bench faster now with Brian Robinson on the roster. Robinson could also vulture some red zone carries from Gibson. This could be the last season to get appropriate value for Gibson in your dynasty leagues.

Dynasty Meter: Sell