The Dallas Cowboys enter 2025 with more than a few questions about their backfield, and while he’s currently a member of a divisional rival, Brian Robinson Jr. of the Washington Commanders could present an intriguing solution.

According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Commanders are “shopping” Robinson. Considering their current needs at running back, could a rare trade be an option for Dallas?

“The Cowboys are projected to rely on a committee of Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders at running back early in the season. The two combined for 718 yards and six touchdowns on 194 carries last season; by comparison, Robinson totaled 799 yards and eight touchdowns himself on 187 carries,” USA Today’s Jacob Camenker wrote on August 17, adding:

“As such, Robinson would represent a big upgrade for the Cowboys. But would Washington be willing to trade one of its leading rushers to a divisional rival? The Commanders would probably like to send Robinson somewhere else if they trade him, but if Dallas has the best offer, they could consider it.”

A Quick Look Back at Robinson’s NFL Career

GettyThe Commanders could trade Brian Robinson Jr. Should the Dallas Cowboys pounce?

Drafted in the third round by the Commanders in 2022, his introduction to the league was unforgettable—after being shot during an attempted robbery just before his rookie year, he worked his way back onto the field in a matter of weeks. Despite missing the start of the season, Robinson finished with 797 rushing yards over 12 games.

In his second season, Robinson’s game began to evolve. He finished with 733 yards and five touchdowns on the ground, but his impact as a pass catcher took a major leap forward. He hauled in 36 catches for 368 yards and added four more scores through the air that year.

Robinson built on that momentum in 2024 with his most efficient season yet. He carried the ball 187 times for 799 yards and scored eight touchdowns, averaging 4.3 yards per attempt. He added another 159 yards as a receiver, pushing his career totals past 2,300 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns across three seasons.

Heading into 2025, he’s on the final year of his rookie contract with a modest $3.62 million cap hit, making him a cost-effective option for teams in need of a reliable starter or high-end rotational piece — and the Cowboys certainly qualify.

Cowboys Trade Proposal Sends Brian Robinson Jr. to Dallas

We think a 2026 fifth-round pick plus a 2026 sixth-round pick that would upgrade to a fifth if Robinson hits 900 scrimmage yards might be enough to sway Washington.

The trade market for RBs just isn’t great, and it hasn’t been for quite some time. Considering running back D’Andre Swift (who was younger and had more juice as a receiver at the time) fetched a fourth-round pick plus a seventh-round swap, we think this is a generous proposal.

Dallas’ depth has been in flux since the Tony Pollard era ended. If the team doesn’t want Dak Prescott to continue on with a patchwork committee at RB, adding a player with Robinson’s skill set would help fix that.

Now 26, Robinson is just entering his prime, and he’d fit in well in Dallas. Schottenheimer’s offenses have long favored inside-zone/duo with play-action keepers, and Robinson’s style fits that identity really well. His 2023 receiving usage should also intrigue Dallas.

Given Robinson’s current contract situation (he’ll be an UFA in 2026) he’ll want to play well wherever he is in order to earn a new contract. If he were to play well in Dallas, the Cowboys would then have the option of locking him down with a longer deal.

Again, it’s rare for inter-divisional trades to go down, but this might be one worth looking into for the Cowboys.