​Each day, Hogs Haven gathers a broad spectrum of articles, podcasts, and tweets from across the web to keep you connected with the Commanders, the NFC East, the NFL, and sports in general, with a dash of other interesting content sprinkled in. Enjoy!
The Pewter Plank notes that the Commanders’ group of running backs could actually be more crowded than the Buccaneers’ entering 2026. Jacory Croskey-Merritt returns after a rookie season in which he rushed for 805 yards and eight touchdowns. They also added Penn State standout Kaytron Allen, who piled up 4180 rushing yards and 43 total touchdowns during his college career. Jeremy McNichols, another former Buccaneer, remains in the mix on the depth chart. Yet White has the skill set to stand out and climb to the top of this corps. At the very least, he’s best suited to thrive in the third-down role where he shines most, and he could become a genuine asset on passing downs. For a mere $2 million, White could prove to be the biggest steal of free agency and one of the NFL’s top values in 2026.
Commanders Wire reports that for the first time in his career, McLaurin missed seven games due to injury. Even so, McLaurin remained among the league’s top five wide receivers in first downs per route run during that span. Riggo’s Rag highlights ESPN insider John Keim’s high regard for Croskey, noting that Keim praised Croskey as Washington’s most underrated move and described how Jones could leverage Croskey’s exceptional physical traits within his creative system. If implemented effectively, the Commanders will have a major steal on their hands.
Coordinator Daronte Jones’ system, modeled after what he did in Minnesota as pass game coordinator, calls for substantial safety involvement and a versatile back end. With the Vikings, that flexibility came from Josh Metellus, who was moved around frequently. For Washington, that role could belong to Nick Cross. Cross signed a two-year, $13 million contract with the Commanders, including a $3 million signing bonus and $6.05 million guaranteed—cost-efficient for a starting safety expected to be a true No. 1 option in Washington.
Cross was among the league’s premier run-stopping safeties in 2025, though he has occasional coverage frailties. Balancing that facet and maximizing his skill set will be crucial to the defense’s success, and Jones’s ability to optimize Cross’s talents will be vital. There is no better venue for Cross to elevate his game. Jones’s appointment largely reflects his track record in developing defensive backs, and Cross’s potential ascent has readers optimistic about Washington’s secondary prospects.