Coaches are closely watching a running back in the draft that's similar to Gus Edwards

The Washington Commanders didn’t sign Gus Edwards in free agency, but they can get a faster version of the short-yardage specialist by choosing Notre Dame’s Audric Estimé in the 2024 NFL draft.

Estimé caught the attention of some teams, including the Commanders, at Notre Dame’s pro day, as reported by Ryan Roberts of Sports Illustrated’s Irish Breakdown. Roberts noted that “NFL scouts had Audric Estime between 4.56-4.59 in 40 at Notre Dame’s Pro Day today. Big improvement from his Combine performance.”His improved performance at the Combine caught the eye of several teams including the Cincinnati Bengals, Chicago Bears, Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles, and the Washington Commanders, according to Roberts.

Selecting Estimé could give the Commanders a potential main running back, who would help with the rushing load on

Austin Ekeler , whosigned in free agency after leaving theLos Angeles Chargers him with Edwards. replaced Adding Estimé to the same backfield as Ekeler could change how the Commanders run the ball. It could even raise questions about the future of current.

Brian Robinson Jr Audric Estimé, Gus Edwards Comparison Intriguing for Commanders.

The Commanders have often emphasized zone-based rushing schemes in the last four years, but picking a player like Edwards would shift that focus. As

USA Today’s Doug Farrar suggested, Edwards has “vertical elusiveness, up-field power and acceleration, and some juice in the passing game.” Bleacher Report’s Derrik Klassen

also highlighted Estimé’s best qualities, describing him as “a plus-sized running back with much better footwork and home run speed than meets the eye.” He also “has some passing-down value as well.” Klassen pointed out how “Estimé would fit best in a downhill run game that features gap runs, such as Baltimore or Detroit,” then named his pro comparison as a “Turbo Gus Edwards.” Edwards excelled in a downhill, gap scheme for the

Baltimore Ravens

. It’s also something Commanders’ offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury used to help another physical back, James Conner15 touchdowns Arizona Cardinals rush for Estimé matches the same style thanks to power-back traits he displayed in this tough run against Stanford, with the as highlighted by Farrar in 2021.

Picking Estimé in the draft would give the Commanders a more flexible rushing attack, even if it means less playing time for Ekeler and Robinson. Commanders Scouting Could Spell Trouble for Brian Robinson Jr..

Ekeler mentioned that his performance decreased with the Chargers in 2023 because of “more downfield throws + downhill runs” not fitting “his play style,” according to

ESPN’s John Keim

This statement makes Ekeler, who’s a great receiver out of the backfield, seem more like a direct replacement for Antonio Gibson.

. Gibson was the Commanders’ primary pass-catching back before leavingNew England Patriots in free agency. the Gibson’s departure leaves Robinson as Washington’s probable top running back, even after Ekeler’s arrival. Things would surely change if general manager Adam Peters added Estimé to the mix. It would be a difficult situation for Robinson after he

had an average of 4.1 yards per carry

last season. He is skilled in many areas, but Robinson is not exceptional in any specific area. That could result in him being the odd one out if the Commanders completely revamp the backfield rotation by choosing a potential starter alongside Ekeler. The Washington Commanders were among teams closely observing a 2024 NFL draft RB in comparison to Gus Edwards.

That could make him the odd one out if the Commanders completely remake the backfield rotation by drafting a potential starter alongside Ekeler.