Team Profile
Washington Commanders
-
20.9% 2ndOff DVOA
-
50.4% 2ndPassing DVOA
-
5.2% 8thRushing DVOA
-
6.8% 25thDef DVOA
-
10.2% 18thDef Passing DVOA
-
3.4% 26thDef Rushing DVOA
2024 Team Stats
-
Points For27.0 6th
-
Points Against22.5 18th
-
Yards Per Game377.0 4th
-
Yards Allowed Per Game325.0 15th
Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels has begun to build chemistry with the revamped offensive line in the nation's capital, especially with center Tyler Biadasz. Biadasz played under newly named Washington Head Coach Dan Quinn in Dallas and was one of the best centers available on the market in free agency this spring. Biadasz was brought in to help bolster a weak Commanders line that surrendered the second most sacks last season and finished with the sixth-fewest total rushing yards. Zach Selby, a senior writer for the Commanders reported that Daniels and Biadasz have begun to build a strong relationship and chemistry on the field during the early part of OTAs. This is a great sign for dynasty managers who selected the former LSU product early in their rookie drafts. By having a strong line in front of him, Daniels will be put on a great path to succeed in his rookie campaign and will have more time in the pocket to get the ball to the newly acquired Austin Ekeler and pro-bowl wideout Terry McLaurin.
Houston Texans wide receiver Noah Brown (shoulder) is still recovering from labrum surgery on his shoulder for an injury that he suffered in the playoff game against the Cleveland Browns in January. However, the expectation is that he'll be ready for training camp at the end of July. Brown signed a one-year, $5 million maximum value deal in the offseason with $3 million guaranteed. As long as the 28-year-old pass-catcher doesn't suffer a setback in training camp or the preseason, he should be ready for Week 1 of the regular season. The former seventh-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys in 2017 out of Ohio State caught 33 passes for a career-high 567 yards and two touchdowns in 10 regular-season games (seven starts) in his first year in Houston, but he'll probably have a tough time replicating that in 2024 after Houston added Stefon Diggs to the WR room.
Washington Commanders wide receiver Dyami Brown's stock is down this offseason after the team added Olamide Zaccheaus in free agency and drafted Luke McCaffrey in the third round. Brown, a third-round pick in 2021, has just 29 receptions in his three NFL seasons, and two of his three career touchdowns came in one game. He offers a different player profile than both Zaccheaus and McCaffrey, but Washington's previous staff made Brown available at last year's trade deadline, according to league sources. Another challenge for Brown will be the fact that the Commanders love to use 12 personnel, which means two tight ends on the field at the expense of a receiver. The presence of pass-catching running back Austin Ekeler also likely cuts down the available snaps for Brown in 2024.
Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. is likely headed for the No. 3 role in the backfield behind Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler after the team passed on selecting another RB in this year's NFL draft. Rodriguez is the clear early-down backup to Robinson, whether that means five to 10 touches from scrimmage per game or a lower figure. However, he could have a bigger role on special teams if the Commanders view him as part of what looks like a trend of teams seeking bigger-bodied kick returners given the new league rules on kickoffs. The 23-year-old doesn't have a path to any kind of real fantasy value in 2024 unless one of Robinson or Ekeler go down with an injury. In his rookie campaign in 2023, Rodriguez had 51 carries for 247 yards and two touchdowns while catching two passes for 12 yards in 13 regular-season games.
According to 33rd Team's Marcus Mosher, Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. is still viewed by some as the No. 1 option on the depth chart. Without question, Austin Ekeler's presence has many believing Robinson's role will significantly reduce. However, Mosher indicated this might not be the case, especially with a change in the coaching staff, including new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, who helped James Conner remain a viable fantasy threat during his time as the head coach in Arizona. Robinson has appeared in 27 games for the Commanders over the last two seasons. Although the 25-year-old wasn't always consistent, he still amassed 1,530 yards and seven touchdowns off 383 carries. He also scored five times on the receiving end. Surely, Ekeler will get his touches. Yet, fantasy managers shouldn't dismiss Robinson, with his ceiling rising even more if Ekeler goes down with an injury at some point in the year.