Daily Slop - 1 Jul 25 - Rookie RB Croskey-Merritt has huge opportunity with Commanders in 2025

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Riggo’s Rag

Michael Gallup is entering the last chance saloon with Commanders at camp

The time away allowed Gallup to refocus and find his love for football again. Washington gave him a route back into the league, but it comes with no guarantees whatsoever. He’ll have to earn his spot in a crowded wide receiver room just like everyone else.

Things began well enough for Gallup over early workouts. He found his groove quickly and looked capable of carving out a role for himself. Unfortunately for the wideout, a hamstring strain kept him out of Washington’s mandatory minicamp, denting his momentum at the worst possible time.

This was a blow for Gallup; there’s no getting away from that. But all hope is not lost with the former Colorado State standout just yet.

Gallup’s got a few weeks to heal before camp. That’s the first objective. After that, it’s about hitting the ground running through consistent pass-catching and sharp route-running in a more intense setting.

Commanders.com

Commanders 2025 training camp preview | Running back

What to watch

Can Brian Robinson take another step? Although his numbers look similar from his previous two seasons, Robinson did take a step forward in 2024 by rushing for a career-high 799 yards. He is not a speedster like other running backs playing today, but his physical style kept the Commanders’ offense moving. His coaches have praised his approach this offseason, saying that he knows how important this season is for him (it’s the last year of his rookie contract).
Will Austin Ekeler have a similar effect on the offense as last year? Ekeler became one of the Commanders’ most valuable free agent pickups last offseason, despite recording his fewest scrimmage yards since his rookie season. He was the team’s primary returner on kickoffs and had 594 yards — the third most in the NFL — on 19 returns. Concussions were the biggest obstacles for Ekeler in 2024, but he looked healthy in OTAs and minicamp and ready to prove once again that he can still be productive at 30 years old.
What will Jacory Croskey-Merritt add to the backfield? Croskey-Merritt, a seventh-round pick, has created plenty of hype among Washington’s fans. He’s largely unproven since 2023 because of eligibility issues, but he looked quick and decisive during OTAs. He certainly has an interesting skill set that could be useful as the team’s third running back, but he will need to earn a roster spot before he can take on that role.