Why Commanders let go of Brian Robinson Jr. & what 49ers hope to achieve originally appeared on The Sporting News
The Washington Commanders have traded running back Brian Robinson Jr. to the San Francisco 49ers for a 2026 sixth-round draft pick. Robinson was on the trade market as the Commanders waited for the right opportunity, and with the 49ers in need of depth, the deal came together quickly.
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According to ESPN’s Seth Walder, the Commanders “seemingly deemed him expendable after the emergence of Chris Rodriguez Jr. and rookie seventh-round pick Jacory Croskey-Merritt this summer.”
In Washington, Robinson was mainly a runner, with more receiving responsibilities handled by players like Austin Ekeler. Walder highlights that Robinson did have 36 receptions for 368 yards in 2023 and scored well in ESPN’s receiver grades that year, but those numbers “came way back down to earth” last season.
For the 49ers, Robinson’s acquisition offers a spell option behind star running back Christian McCaffrey, who manages the bulk of the team’s receiving work. Walder points out that the 49ers needed depth due to injuries, though backup Isaac Guerendo is now back in practice.
However, Walder believes the 49ers gave up too much for the running back. He said, “I’m not sure he’s any more than the third-best back on the team, a sixth-round pick is a little more than I’d want to deal for him.”
The Commanders are placing their hopes on Jacory Croskey-Merritt. Putting faith in a rookie is a bold move, and he will need to perform at a high level to meet expectations.
