Washington Commanders sign RB Jeremy McNichols

Jeremy McNichols earns a C- Contract Value Index (CVI) on this signing—a middling deal that reflects reasonable but unspectacular value for a depth running back in a preseason market. At $1.49M AAV, the Commanders are paying modest salary for a replacement-level contributor, which is appropriate for a reserve role; the risk lies in whether McNichols can offer anything beyond low-end roster filler in a run-game committee. The contract structure—a one-year, low-commitment pact—gives Washington flexibility to pivot if a healthier or more productive option emerges during camp or early in the season, a prudent approach given the team's 5-12 record and defensive-heavy rebuild priorities. McNichols doesn't move the needle on championship windows or cap flexibility, but he also isn't a financial anchor; the Commanders are essentially purchasing depth insurance without sacrificing future cap relief. This is exactly the kind of low-risk, low-reward transaction that perennial lottery teams make in March—functional, uncontroversial, and easily discardable—which is precisely why the CVI lands in the C tier rather than higher.