We've been interested in Kaytron Allen since the magazine. Washington's running back depth chart is shaky, and the Penn State product seemed worthy of being selected a little earlier. But Allen has to make the team, and he appears to have competition even in that regard.
Undrafted rookie Robert Henry has garnered some attention in camp, and he kept that momentum going in the first exhibition. With Washington holding out starters and starting Allen, Henry was the No. 2, and he was a little more impressive. He entered the game on the third series and alternated with Allen after that, carrying the ball 12 times for 75 yards and a touchdown. Just 10 yards fewer than Allen on about half as many carries (the sixth-rounder carried 23 times for 85 yards and a score), averaging 6.3 yards per attempt to Allen's 3.7. Suddenly there's a competition for that No. 3 spot.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt is the likely starter and main runner. Rachaad White should handle all passing situations and maybe get a few more carries than expected. But JCM or Bill or whatever you want to call him was just so-so a year ago, and White signed for close to the minimum; not highly regarded by the rest of the league. So either Allen, or Henry, could make a play for a sizable role.
(I am aware Washington also has Jerome Ford and Jeremy McNichols. Barring injuries, I do not think either will make the team.)
Allen has the size advantage (5-11, 217) and looked fine running it last night; puts his head down and gets what's there, and he'll drag some tacklers, too. Henry is small (5-9, 196) but quick, and definitely ran with some juice last night; more big-play potential. If I had to guess right now, they're both making the team. But I don't feel as good about a late-round selection of Allen in a league this week. He's not going to do that team much good if he's the No. 4.
How often do undrafted running backs make a rookie impact in fantasy leagues? This century, seems to happen a little less than once per season.
In PPR scoring, there have been 21 undrafted running backs to finish in the top 50 at the position (PPR) in their rookie seasons in the last 25 years. Four 1,000-yard runners: James Robinson, Dominic Rhodes, Phillip Lindsay, LeGarrette Blount. Branden Oliver was a personal favorite of mine; also Samkon Gado.
A few of these guys would look better on a per-game basis; they emerged a month or two into the season, so their final numbers weren't as great. Bottom line, it could happen for Henry, even if it doesn't right away.
Table sorted by rookie year rank in PPR leagues.
| UNDRAFTED ROOKIE RUNNING BACKS, 2001-2025 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Player | Run | No | Rec | TD | Rk |
| 2020 | James Robinson, Jac. | 1070 | 49 | 344 | 10 | 7 |
| 2001 | Dominic Rhodes, Ind. | 1104 | 34 | 224 | 10 | 12 |
| 2018 | Phillip Lindsay, Den. | 1037 | 35 | 241 | 10 | 13 |
| 2014 | Branden Oliver, S.D. | 582 | 36 | 271 | 4 | 26 |
| 2006 | Mike Bell, Den. | 677 | 20 | 158 | 8 | 31 |
| 2014 | Isaiah Crowell, Cle. | 607 | 9 | 87 | 8 | 33 |
| 2010 | LeGarrette Blount, T.B. | 1007 | 5 | 14 | 6 | 34 |
| 2007 | Selvin Young, Den. | 729 | 35 | 231 | 1 | 34 |
| 2015 | Thomas Rawls, Sea. | 830 | 9 | 76 | 5 | 37 |
| 2005 | Samkon Gado, G.B. | 582 | 10 | 77 | 7 | 37 |
| 2016 | Robert Kelley, Was. | 704 | 12 | 82 | 7 | 38 |
| 2010 | Keiland Williams, Was. | 261 | 39 | 309 | 5 | 39 |
| 2002 | Kenny Watson, Was. | 534 | 32 | 253 | 2 | 39 |
| 2002 | James Mungro, Ind. | 336 | 13 | 81 | 8 | 41 |
| 2016 | Jalen Richard, Oak. | 491 | 29 | 194 | 3 | 42 |
| 2017 | Austin Ekeler, LAC | 260 | 27 | 279 | 5 | 44 |
| 2023 | Jaleel McLaughlin, Den. | 410 | 31 | 160 | 3 | 46 |
| 2002 | Dee Brown, Car. | 360 | 17 | 86 | 5 | 46 |
| 2022 | Jaylen Warren, Pitt. | 379 | 28 | 214 | 1 | 47 |
| 2017 | Matt Breida, S.F. | 465 | 21 | 180 | 3 | 47 |
| 2010 | Chris Ivory, N.O. | 716 | 1 | 17 | 5 | 47 |
Note that some guys on the list weren't great as rookies but emerged in year 2 or 3. A recent Washington runner Austin Ekeler, for example, and current Steeler Jaylen Warren, among others. Even if Henry doesn't do much this season, he might merit a speculative claim in deep dynasty leagues.
--Andy Richardson
