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The Washington Commanders are paying “heavy attention” to an “explosive” RB who might be another Jacory Croskey-Merritt.
Not content with finding one starting NFL running back at the Shrine Bowl, the Washington Commanders have returned to a happy hunting ground looking for another Jacory Croskey-Merritt. They are paying “heavy attention” to an “explosive” potential mid-round pick in the 2026 NFL draft.
The Commanders have been making the most of their presence at the 2026 Shrine Bowl to run the rule over Wake Forest’s Demond Claiborne. Their interest was reported by “Commanding The Huddle” host Ryan Fowler, who noted how “Along with heavy attention from both the Chiefs and Commanders, the following teams met formally with Wake Forest RB Demond Claiborne at Shrine, per source: • Packers • Chargers • Saints • Dolphins After missing the final two days of work, I’m told the explosive RB is just fine and will be good to go for the combine where he’s expected to test extremely well.”
Along with heavy attention from both the Chiefs and Commanders, the following teams met formally with Wake Forest RB Demond Claiborne at Shrine, per source:
• Packers
• Chargers
• Saints
• Dolphins
After missing the final two days of work, I’m told the explosive RB is just
Taking a close look at a prospect who’s not fully healthy fits the risk-taking approach the Commanders have adopted at running back in recent seasons. Particularly at the Shrine Bowl, where the franchise identified last year’s MVP Jacory Croskey-Merritt as a pro-ready talent, despite eligibility issues costing him all but one game of his final season of college football.
Demond Claiborne Has Qualities Commanders Need
Keeping close track of Claiborne’s health at this stage of the pre-draft process will be worth the effort for the Commanders. If only because the 22-year-old possesses true breakaway speed, something Washington’s rushing attack has been missing.
That speed was observed by Steelers Depot writer Josh Carney during the first day of practice at the Shrine Bowl. Carney described how “Claiborne immediately stood out among the running backs with his speed and burst. He later left practice due to minor back tightness, but it isn’t expected to sideline him for the rest of the week.”
Unfortunately, more injury misery befell Claiborne on the third day. He “only had a half practice before an injury on a diving catch took him out of practice. He told us in an interview (find it on the Giants official podcast network feed) that it’s not serious,” according to John Schmeelk of Giants.com.
Schmeelk did note Claiborne’s “going to be one of the fastest players at running back at 5’9 and a quarter inches and 187 pounds.”
There’s that reference to speed again. It’s a common theme among assessments of Claiborne, who produced multiple highlight plays with the Demon Deacons.
A similar sentiment is shared by Buccaneers.com contributor Gabrial Kahaian. He believes “Claiborne’s electricity separates him from other prospects. He utilizes his lateral agility to change direction on a whim and keep his balance while navigating through traffic. Claiborne is also a dependable pass catcher, averaging 7.7 yards per reception.”
Kahaian also pointed out “Claiborne is currently projected to go in the third or fourth round and whoever drafts him is certain to reap the rewards.”
If the Commanders are the beneficiaries, they will continue a strong recent run of finding capable runners in the mid to late rounds. A trend that led to taking JCM in Round 7 last year.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt Proved a Steal
The 245th-overall pick isn’t supposed to fetch the level of upside Croskey-Merritt brought to the Commanders this season. He proved a steal by earning league-wide honors on multiple occasions.
Croskey-Merritt merited the recognition by producing a series of performances to belie his draft status. He rushed for eight touchdowns, including a 72-yarder against the Dallas Cowboys on Christmas Day.
This kind of game-breaking play is what the Commanders need more of on the ground. A double act of Claiborne and JCM would surely add the missing field-stretching element, alongside the dual-threat skills of would-be franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels, once he’s fully healthy.
The Commanders would also have a natural power complement provided by Chris Rodriguez Jr. A sixth-round pick in 2023, Rodriguez continually plays his way into an active role in the rotation and he’s worth bringing back in free agency.
A backfield trio of young runners keen to prove they are more than their respective draft status would be an asset for new offensive coordinator David Blough to build around. The first-year play-caller is already generating buzz, but Blough can’t ignore the effective rushing concepts installed by his predecessor Kliff Kingsbury.
Those schemes helped Croskey-Merritt and they can do the same for a back as dynamic as Claiborne.
James Dudko covers the New York Giants, Washington Commanders, New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens for Heavy.com. He has covered the NFL and world soccer since 2011, with bylines at FanSided, Prime Time Sports Talk and Bleacher Report before joining Heavy in 2021. More about James Dudko
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