Who Should I Start? Jeremy McNichols or Kenneth Gainwell

Monday, March 16, 7:34 AM

Free-agent running back Jeremy McNichols is re-signing with the Washington Nationals on an undisclosed one-year deal on Monday, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Washington's current backfield includes McNichols, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Rachaad White, and Jerome Ford. In his second year with Washington in 2025, McNichols saw 44 carries for 221 yards and one rushing touchdown in 17 games (one start), adding 25 receptions on 31 targets for 196 yards through the air. The 30-year-old veteran was also a key special teams contributor in addition to his depth role in the Commanders' backfield. The offseason additions of both White and Ford, who are both capable pass-catchers, is bad news for McNichols as he heads into his third year in D.C. At best, the former fifth-round pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2017 out of Boise State will be a deep-league stash at RB. McNichols had a career-high 261 rushing yards and four touchdowns for the Commanders in his first year with the team in 2024.