Team Profile
Washington Commanders
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0.1% 20thOff DVOA
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27.6% 12thPassing DVOA
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0.8% 14thRushing DVOA
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35.8% 32ndDef DVOA
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72.7% 32ndDef Passing DVOA
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-12.6% 11thDef Rushing DVOA
2024 Team Stats
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Points For20.5 18th
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Points Against27.5 29th
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Yards Per Game362.0 10th
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Yards Allowed Per Game348.0 22nd
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels looked sharp in his lone possession in his first professional game on Saturday afternoon. The number-two overall pick in this year's draft got things started with a 42-yard pass to wide receiver Dyami Brown on their first third down to move the Commanders into opposing territory. He then completed a short pass to Terry McLaurin for three yards before letting his two running backs, Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler, bring the Commanders into the red zone. The former LSU Tiger then capped the drive off by taking the ball into the end zone himself on a three-yard rush. This was a great debut for the reigning Heisman winner, as he was able to show off both his legs and his arm as well. Last season at LSU, the 23-year-old threw for 3,812 yards while tallying 1,134 on the ground. Daniels is a great upside pick with a current Yahoo ADP of 109.8, given his elite rushing ability.
Washington Commanders running back Michael Wiley led the team in rushing yards and attempts with 34 on eight carries. He also caught his one target for five yards and punched in a score at the goal line. The undrafted rookie entered the game to start the second half and remained a key part of the offense towards the back half of the game. His touchdown late in the fourth quarter put the Commanders ahead, but they were unable to hold on to the lead. Wiley totaled 311 yards on the ground and 306 through the air in his final season at Arizona this past fall. Currently, Wiley slots in behind Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Jeremy McNichols on the depth chart but could push to serve as a depth option in the backfield, as both Rodriguez and McNichols combined for 10 rushing yards on nine carries on Saturday.
Washington Commanders wide receiver Dyami Brown led all Washington wideouts on Saturday afternoon as he totaled 55 yards on two receptions. His first catch came on the opening drive off a great contested 42-yard pass from rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. Later in the game, the former North Carolina product caught his other pass from Jeff Driskel for 13 yards in the second quarter. This was a great opening game for Brown as he struggled last season, holding a disappointing 52.2% catch rate, which placed him in the 17th percentile among all receivers. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor how Brown plays in the preseason, as he could claim the third spot in the wide receiver room that is open with Curtis Samuel now in Buffalo. If Brown continues to play well, especially with the First-team, he should be in the driver's seat to see consistent playing time in the fall.
Washington Commanders tight end Ben Sinnott led the team in receiving yards with 57 and receptions with three on Saturday afternoon. Sinnott made his first professional catch in the first quarter off a one-yard pass from Jeff Driskel. In the second quarter, Driskel hit him on his longest reception of the day for 44 yards. Later in the second half, he made his final reception for 12 yards from Sam Hartman. This was a great sign for the former second-round pick, as he looked quite comfortable in his first NFL game. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progression through the remainder of the preseason, as he could become a consistent option in the offense. For now, veteran Zach Ertz should be viewed as the starter, but Sinnott could be worth a flier late in drafts if he continues to produce in the preseason.
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is already showcasing his comfort in the new offense by calling deep-play audibles. Running back Austin Ekeler revealed that Daniels changed the play from a planned screen pass to an all-go route, leading to a deep completion to Dyami Brown. OL Sam Cosmi also praised Daniels for his decision-making, noting the 42-yard strike and saying, "I think we've got a guy back there." Daniels, who has drawn significant interest from fantasy experts and fans, had an impressive debut in his first preseason game. Known for being the only FBS player with over 12,000 passing yards and more than 3,000 rushing yards, Daniels presents intriguing value as a late-round fantasy quarterback pick. With a strong supporting cast and his dual-threat capabilities, he stands out as a potential QB1 option for those looking to prioritize other positions early in their drafts.