Top Trade Packages for Brian Robinson as Commanders Shop RB Before Season

Ahead of the August 26 roster cuts deadline, NFL teams are making and taking calls for players on the roster bubble. The Washington Commanders may be willing to trade their starting running back.

According to Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz, they "have been shopping" Brian Robinson Jr.

Commanders' rookie seventh-rounder Jacory Croskey-Merritt has generated buzz as a standout at training camp. He may have done enough to make Robinson expendable.

In three seasons, the 26-year-old has accumulated 2,329 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground. In 2023, he showcased his ability to be a three-down tailback, hauling in 36 passes for 368 yards and four touchdowns.

However, Robinson's season rushing numbers range from 733 to 799 yards. Perhaps the Commanders believe they can get more out of Croskey-Merritt in a key role.

Washington could get a return similar to what the San Francisco 49ers received from the Minnesota Vikings for Jordan Mason, who rushed for 789 yards and three touchdowns last season. Based on that deal, the Commanders can command a middle-round pick and a player who can strengthen a weak position on their roster.

Here are five trade packages that make sense for Washington and teams that need a power runner in the backfield.

Chicago Bears

AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski

Bears OL Ryan Bates

Chicago Bears Get: RB Brian Robinson Jr.

Washington Commanders Get: 2026 4th-round pick, G Ryan Bates

As the Detroit Lions' offensive coordinator between 2022 and 2024, Bears head coach Ben Johnson built his offense around a robust ground attack. He inherited a roster with D'Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson as a backfield duo, but Chicago could make a move for a player who's familiar with running backs coach Eric Bieniemy.

In 2023, Bieniemy was the Commanders' offensive coordinator. Though he didn't make a strong commitment to the run game, his offense allowed Robinson to display his pass-catching ability. The bruising 6'1", 225-pound tailback logged career highs across multiple receiving categories.

Johnson is out of action because of a foot injury. Even if it's a minor issue, the Bears may not be comfortable with their No. 2 running back.

General manager Ryan Poles praised rookie seventh-rounder Kyle Monangai, but that doesn't mean the first-year tailback is ready for a big role this year.

Also, remember that Swift dealt with injuries early in his career. Robinson can add insurance and fill gaps in the Bears' backfield rotation.

In return for Robinson, the Commanders should inquire about Bates, who was acquired by the Bears before they hired Johnson and his coaching staff. The versatile interior offensive lineman could start at left guard over Brandon Coleman, who's moving inside from left tackle.

Cleveland Browns

AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki

Browns EDGE Alex Wright

Cleveland Browns Get: RB Brian Robinson Jr.

Washington Commanders Get: 2026 4th-round pick, Edge Alex Wright

This offseason, the Browns allowed Nick Chubb to walk in free agency. To restock the backfield, they drafted Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson in the second and fourth rounds, respectively.

Jerome Ford is set to lead the ground attack, but the Browns should add another veteran ball-carrier to balance their run game.

Judkins' short-term future remains unclear after he faced a misdemeanor domestic battery charge. According to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, the rookie running back is still subject to a league investigation, even though the prosecutor declined to move forward with the case.

Judkins is still unsigned and has been away from the team during the litigation process.

In limited preseason action, Sampson has yet to prove he's ready for a decent workload. Pierre Strong Jr. is similar in size to Ford. In three seasons, he's recorded just 99 carries.

Robinson would be an immediate upgrade over the Browns' backup running backs, considering the uncertainty around Judkins' availability.

Cleveland could offer Wright to Washington. He's entering the final year of his rookie deal and could help a team that needs pass-rushers. The Commanders signed 36-year-old Von Miller to fill a void on the edge, but he's unlikely to be a full-time starter at this stage in his career.

In 2023, Wright logged five sacks. Last season, he missed 13 games because of a torn triceps, and Isaiah McGuire played well in his absence. The Browns can move Wright to a team that can use his skill set. Meanwhile, they could give McGuire more snaps at defensive end.

New Orleans Saints

AP Photo/Gerald Herbert

Saints Edge Isaiah Foskey

New Orleans Saints Get: RB Brian Robinson Jr.

Washington Commanders Get: 2026 4th-round pick, Edge Isaiah Foskey

The Saints should go all-in on their ground attack. They have an underwhelming quarterback battle between second-year pro Spencer Rattler and rookie second-rounder Tyler Shough. Both have turned the ball over in mediocre preseason performances.

Meanwhile, the Saints have a couple of running backs in Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Cam Akers trying to earn back-end roster spots. Rookie sixth-rounder Devin Neal is battling a hamstring injury that's sidelined him for the preseason. Kendre Miller has a history of injuries.

Alvin Kamara is 30 years old, and he's not a high-volume ball-carrier. The Saints need another reliable contributor in their backfield to handle some of the load on the ground.

The Commanders can throw a dart at Foskey in hopes he can bring something tangible to their pass rush.

The Saints selected Foskey in the second round of the 2023 draft. He's only played 147 defensive snaps. The third-year pro could earn more opportunities on a team that can use some youth on the edge.

San Francisco 49ers

AP Photo/Jeff Chiu

49ers HC Kyle Shanahan

San Francisco 49ers Get: RB Brian Robinson Jr.

Washington Commanders Get: 2026 4th-round pick, 2026 6th-round pick

In March, the 49ers traded Jordan Mason and a 2025 sixth-rounder to the Minnesota Vikings for a 2025 fifth-rounder and a 2026 sixth-rounder. Now, ironically, they lack depth in the backfield.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan expects Isaac Guerendo to miss a few weeks with a shoulder injury. Going back to last year, he's missed time because of minor injuries. Rookie fifth-rounder Jordan James underwent surgery on a broken finger.

Recently, the 49ers signed Jeff Wilson, which underscores their need for healthy bodies in the backfield.

If the 49ers want to lighten Christian McCaffrey's workload, they must add a durable running back to the rotation. Robinson can grind out yards between the tackles, which would allow McCaffrey to stay fresh for the length of the regular season.

Tennessee Titans

AP Photo/Gary McCullough

Titans RB Tyjae Spears

Tennessee Titans Get: RB Brian Robinson Jr.

Washington Commanders Get: 2026 4th-round pick, 2026 6th-round pick

In Week 1 of the preseason, Tyjae Spears suffered a high ankle sprain, which will sideline him for a few weeks. As NFL Network's Ian Rapoport noted, the third-year running back has "a chance" to be ready for Week 1, though it's not a guarantee.

After two uneven years, Spears wanted to establish consistency in the upcoming term. Though he has the three-down skill set to be interchangeable with starter Tony Pollard, the 24-year-old must prove it on the field.

Instead of waiting for Spears to make significant progress in development when healthy, the Titans should acquire Robinson, who would bring a different body type and running style.

The Titans can still incorporate Spears in the short passing game as an outlet for rookie quarterback Cam Ward, which would be beneficial with the team's below-average receiver group. That said, Robinson can provide more power to the ground game, convert in short-yardage situations, and finish drives near the goal line.

Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.