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The Commanders are holding a private workout with Clemson RB Adam Randall
Randall told Ashby Mixon with The Clemson Insider that the Commanders are coming down for a private workout and have shown him interest throughout the process.
“I’ve been to New England, going to Houston this upcoming week, and the Commanders are coming down to have a workout with me, so I’ve been getting a lot of general buzz, but those are the three teams that I feel like I’ve had some good connections with.”
Adam Randall
Clemson RB
The Commanders are clearly interested in what they see
in Randall, and it’s easy to see why after his rise this offseason.
Randall has had an interesting road to the NFL after switching from WR to RB in his final season, and he still put up productive numbers. He finished his only season as a RB with 809 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground, and looks to fit best as an outside zone runner, which the Washington Commanders will run under David Blough.
He put up the most bench reps among all RBs at the NFL Scouting Combine with 26, and his strength shows in his runs with his physical running style. Randall is a bigger back at 6-3, 213 pounds, and his vision is better than expected with his rawness at the position.
His WR background makes him a threat as a route runner from the backfield as well, and he’s great in pass protection. The A to Z Sports 2026 NFL mock draft simulator currently has him going at No. 200 overall in the draft, so the Commanders [could target] him with their No. 187 overall pick if they want him.
Riggo’s Rag
Commanders’ Nick Cross signing is already aging nicely in 2026 NFL free agency rankings
Washington added Cross in March on a two-year contract “worth up to” $14 million with just over $6 million guaranteed. His average annual value doesn’t sniff the 20 highest-paid guys at his position. Yet, he’s arguably been more productive than almost all of the names above him in salary and satisfies several needs for the Commanders.
A Commanders squad that boasted the oldest roster in football and allowed the third-most rushing yards per game (141.8) last season ostensibly recognizes its flaws. Cross provides the injection of youth and effort around the line of scrimmage that they sorely lacked.
Since 2024, Cross sits at third and 11th in solo (159) and total tackles (266), respectively. He’s thrived as a run-stopping box defender with the athleticism, speed and explosiveness to wrap up in space. There are valid concerns about the 2022 third-round pick in coverage, though his combination of versatility and age/untapped potential makes him appealing.
If Cross’ time with the Colts is any indication, his ability to get to the quarterback from the secondary is another valuable asset. He posted 12 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks across four campaigns with Indy despite handling a rotational/special teams role for his first two seasons. Moreover, the Bowie, Maryland native posted a solid 69.0 Pro Football Focus pass-rushing grade in 2025, good for 31st among 98 qualified safeties.
Commanders.com
Dyami Brown is back with Commanders and ‘better than ever’
Brown described Jacksonville as a place where “he had to see himself grow in a different way,” and even though the Jaguars elected not to re-sign him, he views it as an important learning experience.
Brown missed playing for the Commanders, though, and he’s glad to be back in the burgundy and gold with his old teammates, now armed with more knowledge and a refined skill set that he believes will help Washington reignite its offense.
“I kinda understand the game a little bit more than what I have in the past,” Brown said. “I took the steps to learn from other people like Jakobi Myers, BTJ [Brian Thomas Jr.] and even…the quarterback, Trevor [Lawrence]. That kind of took the game to another level and a different viewpoint for me.”
Brown — one of the more decorated wide receivers in program history at North Carolina — seemed to be on the cusp of coming into his own during his last season with the Commanders in 2024. Prior to his playoff run, when he tied Terry McLaurin for the most receptions on the team, he hit career-highs in receptions (30), targets (40) and yards (308) during the regular season.
Now, however, Brown is healthy again and “better than ever.”
“I’ve learned so much, and I’ve grown so much, mentally, physically,” Brown said. “And age probably has something to do with it, just the mindset of growing. I think, for me, it’s still to go out there and dominate and be the best version of me every single day.”
Pro Football Talk
Dan Quinn expects Johnny Newton to take off this year
When the Commanders drafted Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton out of Illinois in 2024, they were expecting him to make an immediate impact. It hasn’t quite worked out that way, but the team still thinks that impact is coming.
Commanders coach Dan Quinn says that when he thinks of players who are going to take a big step forward this season, the first player he thinks about is Newton, who is healthy and eager to show what he can do.
“First one that comes to mind is defensive tackle Johnny Newton,” Quinn told Kevin Clark on This Is Football. “His first year was injuries, had a foot injury to come in, I think he’s a guy that’s about to absolutely take off. As a defensive tackle, man is he quick. Beating somebody to the spot, his ability as an interior rusher, I think he’ll be somebody you say, ‘I remember talking to Dan in March or April and this guy turned out to be a heavy hitter.’”
Newton was a part-time player in the Commanders’ defensive line rotation last season, playing 38 percent of the Commanders’ defensive snaps. He still managed five sacks in his part-time role, and this year Quinn expects Newton to play more, and contribute more to the Commanders’ pass rush.
Podcasts & videos
Post-Signing 1-on-1: DL Tim Settle | Free Agency Friday x Next Man Up | Washington Commanders
NFC East links
Blogging the Boys
A safety draft prospect receiving little attention
S, Kamari Ramsey, USC
Height: 6’0” | Weight: 202 pounds | Speed: 4.47 forty time
Background
Ramsey did not take the traditional route to stardom, opting to stay in Southern California for his entire college career. He started out as a bright spot for the UCLA Bruins, where he quickly proved that he belonged on the big stage. Seeking a change of scenery without actually having to pack a moving truck, he hopped over to USC to follow his defensive coordinator. His sophomore year was a legitimate breakout season, where he racked up 60 tackles and showed off his range. Just when he was starting to look like a legit star, a frustrating knee injury cut his junior campaign short after only nine games. Despite the medical red flag, his tape remains loud enough to wake up the neighbors, proving he is a high-level talent when he is on the field.
Ramsey has the length and the mental makeup to handle hybrid roles. His ability to communicate and play multiple spots would allow a defense to stay in their base personnel more often without sacrificing coverage ability.
The Final Word
Most draft experts see Ramsey coming off the board early in the third round. He is a high-floor player who brings immediate special teams value and the potential to be a long-term starter at safety. If you want a safety who can tackle, lead, and erase mistakes, Ramsey is the guy you want.
Big Blue View
NFC East offseason update: Philadelphia Eagles defense has taken a hit
The Eagles lost several key contributors in free agency, including linebacker Nakobe Dean and safety Reed Blankenship. Perhaps most importantly, they also saw their pass rush take a hit with the departure of edge defender Jaelan Phillips, leaving a noticeable gap in one of their strongest units.
That puts pressure on this upcoming draft.
Philadelphia’s needs are clear: the Eagles must find another impact pass rusher and continue building depth at key positions like tight end and defensive back. With a roster still loaded with talent, this isn’t about rebuilding — it’s about maintaining their place among the NFC elite.
There’s also a coaching element to watch. With a new offensive coordinator in place, the Eagles could see some schematic changes that put more responsibility on Hurts to adapt. That transition will be critical in determining whether this offense can take another step forward or takes a slight step back.
At the end of the day, the Eagles remain a team built to win now. But in a division that is getting better, standing still isn’t an option.
NFL Draft
ESPN
2026 NFL draft running back projections: Rankings, comps
Adam Randall, Clemson
BackCAST score: 33.4%
Scouts Inc. ranking: 150
Type of back: Balanced
Similar historical prospects: Toby Gerhart, Doug Martin
Randall is the biggest back in this year’s class at 232 pounds, and he has more receiving value than usually seen from a back his size. He’s a converted wide receiver who, in some ways, is still learning how to play running back.
Although he ran a 4.5-second 40 at the combine, one of the slower results from the 2026 class, scouts generally feel that Randall combines quick cuts with enough top-end speed to get explosive plays.
Mike Washington Jr., Arkansas
BackCAST score: 32.2%
Scouts Inc. ranking: 89
Type of back: Ground-and-pound
Similar historical prospects: Latavius Murray, Knile Davis
Washington ran a 4.33-second 40 at 223 pounds, which put him close to the record for Speed Score, a metric based on combining 40 time with weight (because it’s more impressive to run faster when you are larger). But Washington had less college production, in part because he played at three schools (Buffalo, New Mexico State, Arkansas). Last season, he rushed for a career-high 1,070 yards. He also has significant ball security issues, with 10 fumbles on 587 career carries.
