Darius Rush

Career StatsC-

Year	Team	GP	INT	PD	Tkl
Career		3	—	1	3
2025		1	—	—	—
2024		2	—	—	—
2023		3

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Darius Rush's value math nets a C Contract Value Index — placing the deal in a clear band relative to the league median at CB. At $1.075M on a one-year rookie scale contract, Rush is being paid at depth-cornerback rates, which aligns with his current market positioning as an unproven third-year player. His 2025 season production of 1 game reflects limited opportunity and minimal on-field impact, which justifies the C- performance grade and explains why media coverage treats him as a routine roster addition rather than a meaningful secondary upgrade. Rush enters 2026 at 26 years old with three seasons of NFL experience but zero interceptions and a track record that has not yet translated into reliable starter-caliber production, placing him squarely in the depth-piece tier where the CVI reflects appropriate compensation for his current tier. The D+ sentiment grade underscores the indifference surrounding his signing — headlines frame it as an "opportunity" rather than a solution, and fan engagement has been virtually nonexistent, all of which is consistent with a low-upside depth addition. At $1.075M over one year, there is minimal cap risk or long-term commitment; the Commanders are essentially auditioning Rush as a reserve option during a roster-building phase, which makes the contract duration and value entirely reasonable for a player of his profile and proven output.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the C band — a quick read on where Darius's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Darius Rush's performance grade lands at C-, capturing how he stacks up at CB this season. He enters 2026 as a depth-level cornerback whose limited NFL experience and modest on-field production place him squarely in the replacement-to-backup tier at a position where starting-caliber play commands premium compensation and opportunity. The 2025 season saw him appear in just one game, underscoring his marginal role within Washington's secondary rotation and the lack of meaningful snaps to evaluate his impact. With zero career interceptions across three seasons and minimal counting statistics to point to, Rush has yet to demonstrate the playmaking instincts or coverage consistency required to graduate beyond depth duty. The Commanders' recent roster moves—adding defensive end Joshua Josephs, running back Kaytron Allen, and tight end Anthony Firkser while cutting wide receiver Ja'Corey Brooks—suggest a secondary focus on bolstering depth and special-teams contributions rather than anchoring the secondary around young cornerback development. Barring a sharp improvement in execution and snap allocation, Rush appears destined to remain a situational player and insurance policy rather than a core contributor in Washington's coverage scheme heading into the regular season.

How Darius Compares at the Position

Darius Rush ranks 171st of 270 graded cornerbacks by performance. That slots Darius between Akayleb Evans (C-) just ahead and Brandon Johnson (D+) just behind.

Fan Sentiment

Darius Rush enters the 2026 season with a **D+** sentiment grade that reflects the lukewarm reception surrounding his signing with Washington. The media coverage has been notably tepid, treating his addition as routine roster management rather than a meaningful upgrade to the Commanders' secondary. With zero career interceptions and minimal production over two NFL seasons, Rush is viewed primarily as depth rather than a legitimate contributor, which explains the neutral-to-slightly-positive but ultimately underwhelming media framing. Headlines have focused more on his "opportunity" with Washington than any actual accomplishments or expected impact, suggesting even beat writers see him as a placeholder option. Fan engagement has been virtually nonexistent, reflecting the broader sentiment that Rush represents the type of low-upside signing that generates little excitement. The absence of any meaningful buzz or optimism typically reserved for starting-caliber cornerbacks underscores how Rush is perceived as an unproven commodity whose best-case scenario is providing adequate depth coverage.