Washington Commanders Depth Chart
- NFC East
- Stadium
- FedEx Field
- Head Coach
- Ron Rivera
- Offensive Coordinator
- Scott Turner
- Defensive Coordinator
- Jack Del Rio
- Special Teams Coach
- Nate Kaczor
- Defensive Scheme
- 4-3
Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin will command a hefty payday in the near future. The Commanders haven't made many notable moves during free agency, so keeping cash available for a McLaurin extension remains a priority. Unquestionably, the 26-year-old has played well throughout his three years in the league, compiling 3,090 yards and 16 touchdowns off 222 receptions (357 targets). With Carson Wentz under center for the 2022-23 campaign, McLaurin could be in store for his best season to date. Fantasy managers need to keep him on the radar.
The Washington Commanders signed first-round wide receiver Jahan Dotson to a four-year, fully guaranteed $15.05 million rookie deal on Wednesday. The deal comes with a fifth-year team option. Dotson was taken with the 16th overall pick of this year's draft and is expected to start opposite Terry McLaurin on the outside in D.C. immediately. The 22-year-old had 183 catches for 2,757 yards and 25 touchdowns in his collegiate career at Penn State. The 5-foot-11, 178-pounder could struggle with physical cornerbacks, but he has enough speed to create separation down the field for new quarterback Carson Wentz. Dotson won't be as attractive as some of the other rookie receivers in dynasty and redraft leagues, but mainly because Wentz has been so inconsistent.
Free-agent safety Earl Thomas was arrested on Saturday. The veteran had a warrant issued at the end of April for violating a protective court order two or more times within 12 months, a third-degree felony, after allegedly sending threatening text messages to a woman. The 33-year-old spent nearly his entire career with the Seahawks before playing his most recent season with the Baltimore Ravens in 2019. Thomas, a Super Bowl champion with seven Pro Bowl appearances under his belt, had recently been lobbying for a comeback. However, his chances for a return were slim already, so this latest hurdle likely won't do him any favors.
Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera likened the potential one-two punch of running backs Antonio Gibson and rookie Brian Robinson Jr. to the Jonathan Stewart/D'Angelo Williams pairing he used with the Carolina Panthers from 2011-14. Washington took Robinson in the third round of the draft out of Alabama, but he didn't start in college until his fifth season, and it remains to be seen if he can be an effective back at the next level. Not only does Gibson have to worry about Robinson stealing work from him in 2022, but J.D. McKissic's presence as a pass-catching back will likely put Gibson in the RB2 range for fantasy managers. Robinson should probably only be selected in dynasty formats and deep season-long leagues as insurance for Gibson.
The NFL's International Series for the 2022 season was announced on Wednesday morning. Three London games in October will include Minnesota versus New Orleans in Week 4, the New York Giants versus Green Bay in Week 5 and Denver versus Jacksonville in Week 8. For the first time ever, there will be a game played in Germany between Seattle and Tampa Bay in Week 10. The international slate will conclude in Mexico City, featuring San Francisco versus Arizona on Monday night of Week 11. While both teams in each matchup have to face similar travel challenges, it will be worth paying attention to each team's subsequent game. Last year, the Miami Dolphins notably requested not to have their bye week following their game in London because they preferred a later bye week for a 17-game season. The full schedule is expected to be released on Thursday, May 12, where we can begin to identify brutal travel stretches for key fantasy players.
