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Former NFL MVP Adrian Peterson played for Washington during the 2018 and 2019 seasons.

The Washington Commanders walked out of the 2026 NFL Draft with a healthy crop of new talent. After spending nearly $253 million in free agency, they have addressed most of the team’s most pressing roster needs, which provided them flexibility in the draft. Among the new Commanders’ rookies is running back Kaytron Allen. The Penn State prospect was selected in the sixth round of the draft at pick number 187 overall. 

Allen had a highly productive collegiate career as a Nittany Lion, racking up nearly 5,000 total yards and 43 total touchdowns while also becoming their all-time leading rusher in four seasons. He is expected to share the backfield with second-year stud Jacory Croskey-Merritt and newly acquired free agent Rachaad White. 

Earlier in the offseason, Allen made a bold claim on NBC Sports when revealing who he compares his game to. “Right now, I’d say I got a little Bijan Robinson to me,” Allen stated. In the past, I’d say Adrian Peterson or Le’Veon Bell.” 

Commanders fans should be excited as Allen will look to back up his lofty comparison to the 2025 scrimmage yards leader and a former MVP in his rookie season. 

GettyAdrian Peterson won the NFL’s Most Valuable Player Award in 2012 after rushing for 2,097 yards and 12 touchdowns with the Minnesota Vikings.

Kaytron Allen Projected to Contribute Immediately On Commanders

The Athletic’s Scott Dochterman believes Allen will contribute immediately, stating, “I can’t believe Allen lasted this long. I usually don’t go on a limb and predict a sixth-rounder will start games as a rookie, but if Allen is healthy, he’s going to start for Washington. He is physical, powerful and durable.”

Commanders general manager Adam Peters seems to share Dochterman’s sentiment, as beyond the literal selection, he proclaimed in their draft call, “we got a steal man,” to which Allen couldn’t help but agree.

GettyPenn State running back Kaytron Allen rushed for 1,303 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2025.

Allen should play a valuable role in his rookie year as he’s used to producing in a split backfield. Allen shared carries with now Tennessee Titans running back Nicholas Singleton each of the last four seasons.  

Despite Allen having better college production than his college teammate, Singleton went a round earlier than him. In a pre-draft analysis, Dane Brugler of The Athletic broke down that “Allen isn’t an athletic freak like his Penn State teammate, Nicholas Singleton, but he has a better feel for the position and maximizes carries with his vision, physicality and body control.” 

Brugler cites his run instincts and blocking skills as some of Allen’s key traits. Allen’s blocking ability, in particular, is an area that could help him land on the field quicker, as it’s an area that Croskey-Merritt and Rachaad White have both struggled with. Time will tell if Allen can reach his high expectations, but he is certainly off to a good start in terms of confidence. 

Washington Commanders Offense Expected to Evolve In 2026

The Commanders are expected to reestablish the run game in 2026. Pro Football Focus ranked Washington as the 12th-worst rushing offense last season, just one year after they posted the sixth-best rushing offense. Despite their success in 2024, under new offensive coordinator David Blough, Washington is looking to change their approach in hopes of evolving the rushing attack.

Former OC Kliff Kingsbury operated the offense mainly out of the shotgun with a heavy emphasis on the run-pass-option. While this will still certainly be an element of Washington’s game plan, Blough intends to put Jayden Daniels more under center.

This approach is more in line with a pro-style offense, opposed to the RPO game, which leads more towards a collegiate style. It will allow Jayden Daniels to read a defense more directly and create broader disguises within their scheme. Snapping the ball from undercenter also allows a running back to rush straight downhill instead of from an offset position.

Growth is the name of the game for the Commanders next season, and the team is hoping to take the next step as they enter year three of the Jayden Daniels era.