Could Chris Rodriguez become Washington’s #1 running back?

August 16, 2023

by Steve Thomas

Washington drafted Kentucky running back Chris Rodriguez, Jr with the 16th pick of round six of this year’s draft.  Rodriguez is another redshirt senior who played in 40 games over 5 seasons, with a total of 592 carries for 3643 yards, 6.2 yards per carry, and 33 touchdowns, plus an additional 20 receptions for 116 yards, 5.8 yards per reception, and 3 touchdowns.  In 2022, He played 8 games and had 175 carries for 904 yards, 5.2 yards per carry, and 6 touchdowns, plus 5 receptions for 41 yards, 8.2 yards per reception.  Rodriguez was convicted of driving under the influence, careless driving, and driving without taillamps in June, 2022, and as a result was suspended for the first 4 games of the season.  He was a First Team All-SEC selection in 2021.  He did 19 bench press reps at the NFL Combine.

Rodriguez was thought by draft analysts to be solely a downhill power runner.  Scouts viewed him as a mauler-style runner who can move piles, but as one who lacks burst and ability to change directions.  He appears to be a two-down power runner, not an elusive game-changer.  Plus, his physical style lends itself to a job as a blocking back.  At the time he was drafted, I said that its seemed likely that he would either compete with Alex Armah and Jaret Patterson for a fourth and final spot on the active roster or be headed to the practice squad.

However, after seeing him compete in Washington’s first preseason game, in which he not only had 5 carries for 39 yards, but looked generally like a solid, traditional, NFL running back, it made me think that perhaps I underestimated him.  The truth is that Washington desperately needs a traditional downhill back.  Brian Robinson Jr. might be a player like that as well, but he still has something to prove and certainly doesn’t have a lock on the starting job.  The preseason still has a ways to go, with two more games to come, but I think the time has come to watch Rodriguez a bit closer.  Crazier things have happened in the world of running backs, including in Washington, than a sixth round pick coming from out of nowhere to play a key role on a team in year one.

I’m not by any means predicting that he’s going to be Washington’s franchise back, mind you, certainly not in the first year of his career, but he’s the player who probably stood out the most after week 1, and he’s a member of a fairly week position group.  Keep an eye out on Rodriguez in the next two weeks.  What do you think?  Let me know in the comment section.