Commanders' UDFA named a sleeper who could start in 2026
Article excerpt
A Washington Commanders undrafted free agent has caught the attention of at least one analyst as a potential starter for the 2026 season. The prospect, signed outside the traditional draft process, represents the kind of depth-chart opportunity that occasionally breaks through for overlooked talent. While such projections remain speculative, NFL rosters shift constantly, the analyst's assessment reflects the Commanders' strategy of building competitive depth through unconventional signings. Success stories exist among UDFAs, though most never see significant playing time.
Every year, after the NFL draft is concluded, there is a slew of undrafted free agent rookies who are invited to various rookie minicamps around the league. Teams generally draft guys that they want to keep, but there are players who sign every year after being undrafted. Some of them end up being guys like Warren Moon, James Harrison, Wes Welker, or Antonio Gates. A diamond in the rough, some would say, who go on to become elite players, MVPs, and Hall of Famers.
The Washington Commanders are just like the rest of the NFL with their own undrafted free agent signings. It's hard to say if any of them will make the final 53-man roster, but Bleacher Report's Alex Kay thinks that running back Robert Henry Jr. is one of four sleepers who could earn a starting role in 2026. Kay says, in part:
Henry will clash with a series of veterans with varying levels of NFL experience. The most proven is Rachaad White, who joined Washington this offseason after racking up over 4,000 yards and 25 touchdowns from scrimmage over four seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While White is a strong candidate to start, he averages fewer than four yards per carry on his career and is best utilized as a third down back.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt, one of the breakout stars of last year's training camp, will also be in the mix as he attempts to retain the starting job he seized as a seventh-round rookie. His 805 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 175 totes were impressive for an unheralded Day 3 pick, but he hasn't been consistent enough to slam the door on another player taking the RB1 job.
Henry should have plenty of confidence going into his first training camp, one that comes on the heels of a strong final season with the Roadrunners. He amassed over 1,000 rushing yards and scored nine touchdowns on 151 carries and added 114 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 18 catches.
Although he played at a small program, Henry proved he could hang with elite talent when the opportunity presented itself. During the 2025 opener against Texas A&M, the back exploded for 177 yards and two touchdowns to keep UTSA competitive against a much stronger foe.
This one was a little hard to digest. The starting running back role is Jacory Croskey-Merritt's to lose; he's already proven he can carry the load and will likely have the bulk of the carries in 2026. Jeremy McNichols is an essential part of the Commanders' special teams unit and is unlikely to go anywhere. Rachaad White is comparable to Austin Ekeler as a player who can run, catch, and pass protect. No, he isn't Ekeler, but he offers a similar skill set.
That leaves Kaytron Allen, Jerome Ford, and Henry. Ford's role with the Commanders leaves him on the edge of making the team, but Allen was a draft selection and excellent in short-yardage situations. So where would Henry fit? He's not a big guy, his pass-protection isn't great, and he lacks patience in looking for gaps. Could he make the final 53-man roster? Possibly. But start? There would have to be several injuries for that to happen on this team. And no one wants that.
Henry would be an excellent candidate for Washington's practice squad if he fails to make the 53.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Robert Henry named UDFA sleeper who could start