Editor’s note: Each day, Hogs Haven compiles a collection of articles, podcasts & tweets from around the web to keep you in touch with the Commanders, the NFC East, the NFL and sports in general, with a sprinkling of other stuff. Enjoy!
Commanders links
Articles
Bullock’s Film Room (subscription)
State of the Roster 2026 Update: Commanders Offense
Running Back
On the roster: Jacory Croskey-Merrit, Rachaad White, Jeremy McNichols, Jerome Ford, Kaytron Allen, Robert Henry Jr.
Level of need entering offseason: Medium/High
Need now: Low/Medium
Analysis: The Commanders only had one running
back under contract entering the offseason, but I wasn’t overly concerned as they had easy paths to retaining the likes of Chris Rodriguez and Jeremy McNichols. On top of that, it was a strong free agent class and as Washington proved last year, productive running backs can be found throughout the draft. The team ended up letting Rodriguez walk in free agency despite being an undrafted free agent, which felt like an odd decision. They drafted a similar style of back in Kaytron Allen to replace him. They did retain McNichols but also added Rachaad White as an upgraded version of McNichols.
I don’t think this is a standout room as things stand, but I also think it can be a very functional room with the potential to develop into a good one. We saw Croskey-Merritt’s talents last year and if he takes a step forward with a bigger workload, then the Commanders will be in a good spot. I think there’s some obvious roles here. Croskey-Merritt can be the lead back with explosive running ability while rookie Kaytron Allen can be a back up to him that can spell him and take the short yardage situations, similar to Chris Rodriguez last year. White will likely be primarily a third down back that can be trusted in pass protection and also be a solid weapon as a pass catcher out of the backfield.
They also added Jerome Ford in free agency and signed Robert Henry Jr. as an undrafted free agent too. So while they don’t have an elite lead back like a Christian McCaffrey or Saquon Barkley, they do have a pretty well-rounded group of backs that can cover a lot of different roles that they’ll need. They could probably upgrade on most of these pieces but I don’t think any of them are bad and it should still be a very productive group. I’m setting the need at low/medium for that reason, because I think he’s a solid group that will be fine, but without a standout option, they could still upgrade.
Pro Football Focus
15 trade candidates heading into 2026 NFL training camps
S Jeremy Chinn, Las Vegas Raiders
Chinn enjoyed a resurgent season with the Raiders, but his future with the team might be in doubt.
The former second-round pick played to a 67.7 overall PFF grade in his first campaign in Las Vegas, his best since 2021. Chinn’s 69.5 PFF run-defense grade placed in the 67th percentile at the position, and he missed a modest 9.9% of his tackle attempts.
The Raiders made a splash when they selected versatile Arizona defensive back Treydan Stukes with the 38th overall pick. While Stukes may play all over the secondary, he figures to be more of a traditional safety considering the team also acquired slot corner Taron Johnson. As a result, organizations could call about Chinn with just one year left on his contract.
Dl Jer’Zhan Newton, WashingtonCommanders
The Commanders relentlessly fortified their ailing defense this offseason, including along the defensive line. However, that negatively affects someone like Newton.
The 36th overall pick in 2024 hasn’t blossomed as Washington would’ve hoped, notching a career 50.0 overall PFF grade with a 38.6 PFF run-defense grade. Yet what has been encouraging is Newton’s pass-rushing, as his 9.3% pass-rush win rate placed in the 63rd percentile last year.
The Commanders inked former Texans interior defender Tim Settle to a three-year, $25.5 million contract during free agency, which only pushes Newton down the depth chart. The 23-year-old former Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year could garner attention for teams looking to bet on his upside.
Riggo’s Rag
7 Commanders players whose starting spots are in danger before OTAs even begin
Quan Martin – Commanders S
The Commanders were expected to make big changes to the safety position this offseason. Performance levels weren’t anywhere near the level anticipated during the 2025 campaign, and it was one of the few units that managed to stay relatively injury-free.
Will Harris was the only one who missed considerable time. That was enough for the entire group to capitulate, and there was no more disappointing player in a season to forget than Quan Martin.
Experts and fans were projecting a breakout campaign from Martin. To say that didn’t materialize would be an understatement, but the Commanders are not willing to throw in the towel just yet.
Nick Cross was signed in free agency, who’ll walk straight into a starting role. Martin could get the other spot, but that is no guarantee. Harris, Jeremy Reaves, Percy Butler, and Tyler Owens will also fancy their chances, so the margin for error is gone.
ESPN
2026 NFL offseason: AFC teams’ best and worst deals
Best: Jaguars replacing Travis Etienne Jr. with Chris Rodriguez Jr. This has been a quiet offseason for the Jaguars, who were aggressive in rebuilding the roster last year after the arrival of coach Liam Coen and GM James Gladstone. Rodriguez and fellow back Ameer Abdullah are their only veteran free agent additions this offseason
Rodriguez…signed for two years and $10 million. Etienne will trigger $28 million in guarantees over the next two years, and Rodriguez is guaranteed only $6.2 million in that span.
[I]n a situational role over the past three years, Rodriguez has topped Etienne in explosive play rate (12.3%). He has been more successful near the goal line, scoring on 37% of his attempts to Etienne’s 29%. Rodriguez offers nothing as a receiver, having caught only six passes over the past three years, but he’s a more physical runner than Etienne. Given that he’ll be playing on early downs before Allen comes onto the field on third down, Rodriguez is a much more logical fit for this offense at a fraction of the cost.
A to Z Sports
2 things the NFL totally got wrong with the Commanders’ 2026 schedule: What did Washington do to deserve this?
For starters, the Commanders play three of their first four games on the road, according to the official 2026 schedule. Yes, the London game against the Indianapolis Colts is considered a “home game”, but we all know that’s a farce. The Commanders will travel the furthest air miles of the season to play “at home”.
And their one true home game is against the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.
Enough said for the first month of the season.
Photos
Commanders.com
PHOTOS | Kaytron Allen is a Washington Commander
Podcasts & videos
Tress Way Stops By, Joshua Josephs & Sonny Styles Breakdown, Minicamp Stars 💫 | Command Center | NFL
NFC East links
Blogging the Boys
George Pickens’ inconsistent tenure in Pittsburgh continues to haunt him
Jones told Yahoo Sports, “[W]e got him for no other reason than because there was a long-term question.”
Unfortunately, it seems as if Pickens’ time with the Pittsburgh Steelers continues to haunt him. Due to disciplinary issues, on-field incidents, and team frustrations Pickens’ inconsistent tenure in Pittsburgh ultimately led him being traded to the Cowboys. And while he distanced himself for the most part from those “red flags” in Dallas last year, it’s a persona he can’t seem to shake altogether.
Teams around the league, as well as the Cowboys according to Jerry Jones, will be closely monitoring Pickens throughout the 2026 season, both on and off the field. Every little thing he does and doesn’t do will be heavily scrutinized. Because of that, it’s in his best interest to be at his best if he wants to earn a long-term extension at season’s end.
Big Blue View
Giants continue to hope Nabers will be ready to start the season, but that sounds increasingly uncertain
“I know he’s fighting like crazy to do his best to be out there,” Harbaugh said. “My experience with guys is the first time they have a serious injury it’s tough because it’s new for him. It’s a tough process.”
Valentine’s View
Nabers was injured in Week 4 of the 2025 season. It seems each time we talk to Harbaugh or GM Joe Schoen Nabers’ availability to start the 2026 season becomes less certain.
Big Blue View
NY Giants QB Jaxson Dart knows he needs to make ‘mature decisions’
There was a massive — and at times out-sized — outcry from fans and the media over Dart’s (occasionally) devil may care attitude toward potential injury. Making sure Dart understands that there’s a time and place for self-sacrifice has been a priority for the new coaching staff.
“That was, like, one of our first meetings with (passing game coordinator/quarterbacks) Coach (Brian) Callahan,” Dart said. “Just pulling up my tape and just going over situationally, like, is it worth the risk here in this situation. And that’s what we talk about a ton is situationally just being smart.”
Dart added that it’s been an on-going point of emphasis in meetings throughout the off-season, even up to Thursday’s OTA.
“Coach G-Ro (senior offensive assistant Greg Roman) talked about it today,” he said. “It’s important for the quarterback to make sure how he’s feeling one play that he’s going to feel that same way the next play. And at the same time, just having the experience last year of sitting out two games, I hadn’t done that in my career. So, I just hated that time of not being out there with my teammates.
So obviously I understand the most important thing is to be out there. So, you just grow and learn from things. And I think I’m going to do a good job at it this year for sure.”
The Giants’ offense is still a mystery, and how the disparate philosophies of Matt Nagy, Greg Roman, and Brian Callahan combine is one of the more fascinating storylines of the off-season. We won’t get to see the full picture of the offense until the regular season rolls around.
Head coach John Harbaugh said at the Giants’ Town Hall that the team wants to be able to “live in both worlds”, or be able to run or pass the ball at will on early downs. They want to be unpredictable and dictate to defenses on early downs.
Dart said on Thursday that it’s “cool” to see the amalgamation of styles take shape.
ESPN
Giants DL Roy Robertson-Harris tears Achilles
New York Giants defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris tore his Achilles at Thursday’s OTA workout and is expected to miss the 2026 season, a source told ESPN.
It’s a blow to the interior of the Giants’ defensive line, which was already being rebuilt after trading Dexter Lawrence II to the Cincinnati Bengals last month. Robertson-Harris, who was likely to start, was taking first-team reps at Thursday’s practice before reaching for the back of his right leg early at the indoor workout.
Robertson-Harris was on the second and final season of a two-year deal worth $9.25 million. He started 17 games for New York last season and had 35 tackles (three for a loss) and six quarterback hits.
Discussion topics
Riggo’s Rag
Giants expert tries to make sense of Joe Schoen extension as Commanders fans laugh
The Giants probably knew how this development would be received by fans.
Matt Sidney of G-Men HQ acknowledged that Schoen’s new deal didn’t make much sense at first glance. But when the expert looked a little more closely, it spoke to the desire for continuity now that a prolific head coach is leading the charge.
“To say Giants fans will be furious about this extension would be the biggest understatement of the year. From the handling of [Saquon] Barkley’s exit to the disastrous $160 million [Daniel] Jones contract, [Joe] Schoen’s popularity in East Rutherford has nosedived to an all-time low.
“Schoen wasn’t extended to appease the fan base (quite the opposite), and it clearly wasn’t a reward for the last four years. He was extended because ownership just watched what happened when a team removed the lame-duck cloud and fully committed to a coach-quarterback-front office pairing.”
Clutching at straws, perhaps. But it does have merit.
Sidney mentioned Ryan Poles’ torrid record over his first three seasons with the Chicago Bears as an example. The tide immediately turned when Ben Johnson became head coach, and their ambitions are much loftier now. This is an example the Giants are following. And they are hoping it brings similar success.
The Commanders are focused on getting their own house in order, but fans aren’t exactly quaking in their shoes about Schoen now being around the Giants long term.
