It's not even training camp but Commanders look ready to send one veteran packing

The Washington Commanders should be given a good bit of credit for trying their best to get as many playmakers as possible around quarterback Jayden Daniels. Adding wide receiver Deebo Samuel is big, but they have tried to make some new additions to the backfield in the name of balance.

It should surprise no one if Washington keeps four running backs on their 53-man roster. While the Commanders do have many pass-catching backs equally adept at making a play as a receiver out of the backfield as they are at toting the rock, there is one who faces long odds of making the roster.

Demetric Felton, who has previously tallied two seasons as a seldom-used backup with the Cleveland Browns, finds himself all the way at the back of the pack. Unless some unfortunate injuries happen, Washington's depth chart will likely be difficult for Felton to climb up without some truly exceptional performances.

Sledgehammer Brian Robinson and change-of-pace veteran Austin Ekeler are locked in as the top two backs, while Kliff Kingsbury favorite Jeremy McNichols seems to have taken ownership of the RB3 role. Both 2023 holdover Chris Rodriguez and seventh-round pick Jacory Croskey-Merritt are ahead of Felton.

Commanders could soon part with RB Demetric Felton

Felton is an odd player, as he started his college career as a wide receiver at UCLA before converting to running back. In four seasons, Felton amassed 1,101 rushing yards and 958 receiving yards to go along with 15 touchdowns. Felton was picked in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft by Cleveland.

Felton was a bit of a "tweener" coming out of college, as he is too small (5-9, 190 pounds) for full-time running back work, but not explosive enough to stick at wide receiver. Perhaps that is why he tallied just 209 yards from scrimmage with Cleveland before being let loose in the 2023 preseason.

Felton has bounced around between the Bengals, Bears, and Colts since then. Joining Kingsbury's offense, which often makes use of smaller pass-catching running backs, could be the perfect offense for someone with the very specific skillset Felton has.

The downside of that, however, is that Felton will need to beat out three other role players in Ekeler, McNichols, and Croskey-Merritt, who all have similar skillsets. Felton could be a practice squad stash, but he faces very long odds of beating out players who have more status within the organization.