Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Mike Washington Jr.’s performance in the team’s 27-14 preseason Week 1 loss to the Arizona Cardinals demanded attention. Washington had one of the plays of the game, and showed signs of being ready to step into the Raiders’ backup running back role behind Ashton Jeanty out of the gates in 2026.
Pro Football Focus gave Washington the nod at the running back position in their preseason week 1 rookie team of the week, consisting of players who played in a minimum of 15 snaps in their preseason debuts.
”Washington is the clear No. 2 option behind Ashton Jeanty in the Raiders’ backfield, and at 6-foot-2 and 228 pounds, he provides a powerful change of pace from the starter. The Cardinalsfelt the full force of that over the weekend, as Washington powered through defenders for 63 yards on just six carries, with 52 of those yards coming after contact.”
Washington had a 53-yard rush with 8:03 left to play in the second quarter of the Raiders’ loss to the Cardinals that helped Las Vegas go on to score a game-tying touchdown on that drive. The Arkansas product proved that his size and athleticism is built for the NFL level and was a notable statistical performer on the week.
The fourth rounder was selected over fellow rookie running backs J’Mari Taylor (Jacksonville Jaguars), Emmett Johnson (Kansas City Chiefs) and Jeremiyah Love (Arizona Cardinals), the former two of whom had more rushing yards and touchdowns in his preseason debut, while the latter two were more productive than Washington on a per down basis in their respective performances.
Taylor finished with 78 rushing yards and a rushing TD in Jacksonville’s 24-20 win over the New Orleans Saints. Johnson recorded 59 rushing yards on 12 carries in Kansas City’s 20-12 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, and Love recorded 58 rushing yards on 11 carries in the win over Washington’s Raiders.
Washington will look to continue playing the way that he is throughout the rest of the preseason. As things stand, he is a premier rookie to watch moving forward in the preseason, regardless of position, based off of his play in Week 1.
This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Raiders RB Mike Washington named top rookie RB in NFL preseason Week 1