Washington Commanders News

NFC EAST

Luke McCaffrey • WR • Commanders

Is Luke McCaffrey Still Worth Stashing on Dynasty Benches?

When the Washington Commanders spent a third-round pick on former quarterback turned wide receiver Luke McCaffrey in 2024, many fantasy managers feared he may have been over-drafted, but chased the draft capital and spent a late rookie pick on him anyway. Through his first two seasons in the NFL, he's accumulated only 371 yards on 29 receptions, though his usage and production were both on the upswing prior to a season-ending collarbone injury suffered in Week 9. McCaffrey scored the first three touchdowns of his career while averaging 18.5 yards per reception. Between Deebo Samuel and Zach Ertz, Washington looks set to enter 2026 without its two highest target-earners from 2025. While a healthy Terry McLaurin and the recently acquired Rachaad White and Chig Okonkwo will certainly help to fill that vacuum, McCaffrey could settle into a meaningful downfield role. In parting ways with Kliff Kingsbury, the Commanders promoted from within, naming 30-year-old assistant quarterbacks coach David Blough as their new offensive coordinator, meaning McCaffrey will have familiarity with the system and a potential inside track to claim some of those vacated looks.

Yesterday

Rachaad White • RB • Commanders

Is Rachaad White the New RB1 for the Commanders?

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White wanted a bigger role in the backfield, which is why he left the Buccaneers in free agency, and he could get his wish in 2026 with the Washington Commanders. The 27-year-old former third-rounder (91st overall) in 2022 out of Arizona State averaged 3.9 yards per carry for 2,656 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns on 677 rushing attempts in his first four seasons with the Bucs. He also added 205 catches for 1,450 yards and 11 receiving touchdowns, so White does have a three-down skill set. The problem for his fantasy value is that the Commanders also signed Jerome Ford, and second-year back Jacory Croskey-Merritt could be pushing for a bigger role in Year 2. At the very least, though, White could be a very useful RB in point-per-reception leagues as Washington's primary pass-catching option out of the backfield as the Commanders' offense looks to bounce back in 2026. Last year in Tampa, White had 132 carries for 572 yards and four touchdowns, adding a career-low 40 catches for 218 yards through the air in 17 games (eight starts). White's dynasty stock should see a slight boost with his move to D.C.

2 days ago

Jacory Croskey-Merritt • RB • Commanders

Can Jacory Croskey-Merritt Emerge as the Clear RB1 in Washington?

Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt had a bit of a rollercoaster campaign as a rookie in 2025, finishing the year with 873 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns on 184 touches across 17 games (seven starts). Croskey-Merritt recorded four touchdowns across his first five NFL games, but then cracked 40 rushing yards just once across eight contests between Week 6 and Week 14. Still, Croskey-Merritt closed the year on a tear, recording 255 rushing yards and four scores over the season's final four weeks. Heading into 2026, the 24-year-old should have a chance to emerge as Washington's RB1. However, the Commanders also added veteran backs Rachaad White and Jerome Ford in free agency. At the very least, White and Ford are trusted third-down backs who will prevent Croskey-Merritt from seeing much receiving work in his second NFL season. Croskey-Merritt's clear upside as a rusher provides him with long-term upside for dynasty managers, but it does not appear as though Washington is ready to fully hand him the keys to its backfield in 2026.

2 days ago

Chig Okonkwo • TE • Commanders

Chig Okonkwo Instantly Jumping to Fantasy Relevance in Washington?

Washington Commanders tight end Chig Okonkwo could immediately contribute as an appealing fantasy option during his first year with the team. Okonkwo spent his first four seasons with the Tennessee Titans, occupying a modest role in the offense. He consistently finished as the TE21 in PPR leagues each of the last three years. With that being said, in terms of pure stats, 2025 was his best season as he caught 56 of his 79 targets for 560 yards, all career-highs. The Maryland product contributed to the best of his ability in a relatively uninspiring Titans offense. While the Commanders' offense admittedly has some work to do, as well, the presence of quarterback Jayden Daniels and the new-look offensive system under coordinator David Blough could bode well for Okonkwo as he looks to take a major leap. Fantasy managers would love to see him step in and fill the role of Zach Ertz, who finished as the overall TE7 with 654 yards and seven touchdowns as the Commanders' primary tight end in 2024. If Okonkwo can have that level of involvement around the goal line, there's no question that he can be a top-12 fantasy tight end year in and year out. If Daniels stays healthy and the offense operates efficiently in 2026, Okonkwo could end up being one of the biggest steals on fantasy draft night.

2 days ago

Marcus Mariota • QB • Commanders

Marcus Mariota Remains an Injury Away from Playing Time in Washington

Across 11 games (eight starts) in 2025, Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota completed 65.2% of his pass attempts for 1,695 yards, 10 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. The 32-year-old also remained a productive player with his legs, rushing for 297 yards and a touchdown on 50 attempts. Mariota was forced into more playing time than Washington would have liked in 2025, as star quarterback Jayden Daniels played in just seven games due to knee, hamstring, and elbow injuries. Still, Mariota profiles as one of the better backup quarterback options in the NFL, and the Commanders re-signed him to a one-year deal for the 2026 season in early March. When Mariota gets a chance to play, his dual-threat ability makes him a quality streaming option for fantasy managers, especially in two-quarterback formats. Given Daniels' durability question marks, Mariota should at least be on the radar of deep-league managers entering 2026.

3 days ago

Terry McLaurin • WR • Commanders

Commanders Still Looking for Receiver to Complement Terry McLaurin

ESPN's John Keim writes that the Washington Commanders are still seeking another receiver "who can serve as a No. 2 wideout" opposite Terry McLaurin this offseason. The Commanders did sign backups Dyami Brown and Van Jefferson and also re-signed Treylon Burks, but they still want someone who can be a true No. 2 behind McLaurin, like Deebo Samuel Sr. was last year. An intriguing name that Keim thinks the Commanders could pursue is San Francisco 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) once he's released. The team is aware of Aiyuk's desire to play with quarterback Jayden Daniels, but they likely won't sign him for more than a one-year, prove-it deal after he missed all of the 2025 season. The Commanders could also look to the upcoming NFL draft for another wideout to pair with McLaurin. Neither McLaurin nor Daniels was healthy last year, leading to a disappointing season overall for the franchise. If McLaurin and Daniels stay healthy in 2026, he could be a solid WR2 for fantasy managers, regardless of whether they bring another WR.

Mar 19

Terry McLaurin • WR • Commanders

Can Terry McLaurin Bounce Back as Top Target-Earner in 2026?

Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin had his fifth straight 1,000-yard receiving season in 2024 and made his second career Pro Bowl before signing a three-year, $96 million contract with the team last August. The 30-year-old veteran then proceeded to play in a career-low 10 games due to injury, finishing with just 38 receptions, 582 yards, and three touchdowns in his seventh year in the league. His fantasy managers surely weren't happy with the outcome, but he will have a chance to bounce back as a WR2 if he's healthy. Scary Terry should be the unquestioned WR1 in Washington, and with better health for both him and quarterback Jayden Daniels, another 1,000-yard season is certainly possible. McLaurin has relied on big plays over heavy volume, as he's averaged only 4.7 catches per game in the NFL. It makes him more of a boom/bust WR2 target, especially coming off an injury-plagued season. The good news is that new offensive coordinator David Blough seems intent on getting McLaurin more looks in 2026.

Mar 18

Ben Sinnott • TE • Commanders

Ben Sinnott Does Not Appear to Be in Washington's Long-Term Plans

A second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Washington Commanders tight end Ben Sinnott has had a tough time carving out a consistent role in his team's passing game through his first two NFL seasons. Across 33 career games, the 23-year-old has recorded 16 receptions for 142 yards and two touchdowns on 18 targets while stuck behind veteran tight end Zach Ertz (knee) on the depth chart. Ertz suffered a torn ACL in Week 14 of 2025 and is also currently a free agent, so he is unlikely to stand in Sinnott's way for a third straight year in 2026. However, Washington signed former Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo to a three-year contract in free agency, all but assuring that Sinnott will remain siloed to a reserve role. Based on his lack of production and his team's roster management around him, Sinnott's value in dynasty formats should be at an all-time low heading into 2026.

Mar 16

Jeremy McNichols • RB • Commanders

Jeremy McNichols Re-Signs With Commanders

Free-agent running back Jeremy McNichols is re-signing with the Washington Nationals on an undisclosed one-year deal on Monday, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Washington's current backfield includes McNichols, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Rachaad White, and Jerome Ford. In his second year with Washington in 2025, McNichols saw 44 carries for 221 yards and one rushing touchdown in 17 games (one start), adding 25 receptions on 31 targets for 196 yards through the air. The 30-year-old veteran was also a key special teams contributor in addition to his depth role in the Commanders' backfield. The offseason additions of both White and Ford, who are both capable pass-catchers, is bad news for McNichols as he heads into his third year in D.C. At best, the former fifth-round pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2017 out of Boise State will be a deep-league stash at RB. McNichols had a career-high 261 rushing yards and four touchdowns for the Commanders in his first year with the team in 2024.

Mar 16

Jayden Daniels • QB • Commanders

Jayden Daniels' Suppressed Dynasty Value Makes him a Buy-Low Candidate

Following a historically great rookie season in 2024, Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels went into Year 2 firmly in the conversation for both dynasty QB1 and the first overall pick in superflex startup leagues. Following an injury-plagued sophomore season, Daniels is now being drafted around the 1/2-turn in 2026 startups. While his long-term durability becomes an unavoidable concern after missing time with three separate injuries (knee, hamstring, elbow), his fantasy upside is still rare, making him an obvious buy-low candidate for risk-averse managers. His 891 rushing yards as a rookie were the ninth-highest single-season output by a quarterback in NFL history, joining Lamar Jackson and Randall Cunningham as the only players to rush for more than 850 yards while topping 3,000 passing yards.

Mar 15

Jerome Ford • RB • Commanders

Commanders Agree With Jerome Ford on One-Year Deal

The Washington Commanders agreed with former Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford on an undisclosed one-year deal on Saturday, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Ford will head to the NFC East after spending the first four years of his career playing in Cleveland, where he averaged 4.3 yards per carry for 1,463 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 340 carries over 57 games (18 starts). The 26-year-old played in a career-low 13 games for the Browns in 2025 and had just 24 rushing attempts for 73 yards and no touchdowns while adding 26 catches for 103 yards through the air on 32 targets. The former fifth-rounder in 2022 out of Cincinnati will now join a Washington backfield that also features Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Rachaad White. Ford is likely to serve in a rotational RB3 role yet again in 2026 behind JCM and White, leaving him very little fantasy appeal to those in very deep leagues.

Mar 14

Van Jefferson • WR • Commanders

Commanders Signing Van Jefferson on Friday

The Washington Commanders are signing veteran free-agent wide receiver Van Jefferson (forearm) to an undisclosed deal on Friday, a source told Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic. Even though it's wide open right now behind WR1 Terry McLaurin in D.C., the 29-year-old Jefferson will most likely serve as a depth option for the Commanders in 2026. The team also brought back Dyami Brown on Friday after he spent his first four seasons with Washington. Jefferson ended last year on Injured Reserve due to a forearm injury. Before his injury, the former second-round pick by the Los Angeles Rams in 2020 caught 29 of his 52 targets for 350 yards and one touchdown in 16 games (seven starts) with the Tennessee Titans. Jefferson's career year in 2021 with the Rams in his second year in the league has been the outlier, as he hasn't come anywhere close to the 802 receiving yards and six TDs he had that season. The Commanders are likely to bring in more receiving help via free agency and the draft, which would push Jefferson further down the WR depth chart.

Mar 13

Dyami Brown • WR • Commanders

Commanders Bring Back Dyami Brown on One-Year Deal

The Washington Commanders are bringing free-agent wide receiver Dyami Brown back on an undisclosed one-year deal on Friday, a source told Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic. Brown will return to D.C. after he was drafted by Washington in the third round (82nd overall) in 2021 out of North Carolina. He had 59 catches on 102 targets for 784 yards and four touchdowns in 63 games (10 starts) in his first four years in the league with the Commanders before joining the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2025. In 14 regular-season contests (six starts) with the Jags last year, the 26-year-old pass-catcher had a 20-227-1 line on 37 targets. The Commanders are pretty desperate for WR options at the moment behind Terry McLaurin, with Deebo Samuel Sr., Noah Brown, and Chris Moore all on the open market. The team also signed veteran Van Jefferson on Friday, but Brown is better suited to potentially become Washington's No. 2 receiver in 2026, barring more additions in free agency or the draft.

Mar 13

Rachaad White • RB • Commanders

Commanders Signing Rachaad White to a One-Year Deal

The Washington Commanders are signing former Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White to an undisclosed one-year deal on Thursday, according to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team. Washington non-tendered former RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. on Wednesday, and he quickly latched on with the Jacksonville Jaguars. To give the team more depth in the backfield alongside second-year back Jacory Croskey-Merritt, the Commanders have now added White to the mix. The 27-year-old former third-round pick in 2022 out of Arizona State had 2,656 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns on 677 carries (3.9 yards per attempt) while adding 205 catches, 1,450 yards, and 11 touchdowns through the air in his four years in Tampa. Depending on what else Washington does at the RB position this offseason, White figures to operate as more of a third-down back in D.C. in 2026, with JCM operating as the early-down option. It's a similar role to what he had with the Bucs when Bucky Irving was healthy.

Mar 12

Jacory Croskey-Merritt • RB • Commanders

Jacory Croskey-Merritt Currently the Lead Back in Washington

Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt currently sits atop the depth chart as the new league year gets underway. With Chris Rodriguez Jr., Austin Ekeler, and Jeremy McNichols all departing for free agency, Croskey-Merritt remains the lone holdover from Washington's 2025 backfield. That could change via free agency, the NFL Draft, or even a trade, but for now, it appears that Croskey-Merritt has an early leg up on the backfield competition for 2026. He's coming off a solid rookie season in which he amassed 873 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns. We should also note that it's not like Washington is just waiting to bring back some of its familiar faces, either. Rodriguez has already signed with Jacksonville, and it seems unlikely that Ekeler will return to Washington following his Achilles injury. Dynasty managers should hold Croskey-Merritt for now. Although he could be a buy-low candidate, there's also the risk of his value slipping if Washington does make a running back splash in the next month or so.

Mar 12

Charles Omenihu • DE • Commanders

Commanders Sign Charles Omenihu to a One-Year Deal

The Washington Commanders have signed free agent defensive lineman Charles Omenihu to a one-year, $4 million deal that has a maximum value of $7 million, according to Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network. A former fifth-round pick out of Texas, Omenihu has spent time in the NFL with the Texans, 49ers, and Chiefs. Across 17 games (zero starts) in Kansas City last year, he amassed 3.5 sacks, 13 quarterback hits, and 28 tackles. The Commanders and defensive-minded head coach Dan Quinn had been in search of pass-rush reinforcements on the defensive line, so the Omenihu signing makes plenty of sense. He projects as a rotational piece alongside fellow free agent additions K'Lavon Chaisson and Odafe Oweh.

Mar 11

Chig Okonkwo • TE • Commanders

Commanders Agree to Three-Year Deal With Chig Okonkwo

The Washington Commanders agreed to an undisclosed three-year deal with free-agent tight end Chig Okonkwo on Wednesday, according to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. Okonkwo led the Titans with 560 receiving yards on 56 catches (79 targets) last year, but he caught just two touchdowns and lost a lot of valuable targets and playing time to rookie Gunnar Helm. The 26-year-old tight end finished as only the No. 22 player at his position in half-PPR scoring. Zach Ertz is a free agent and probably won't return to Washington, so Okonkwo has an opportunity to become the Commanders' top pass-catching TE going into next season. It could be a huge boost to his fantasy value as long as starting quarterback Jayden Daniels can remain healthy in his third year in the league. Okonkwo will definitely become at least a more attractive TE2 with upside for more in D.C. UPDATE: Okonkwo's three-year deal is worth up to $30 million.

Mar 11

K'Lavon Chaisson • LB • Commanders

K'Lavon Chaisson Signs One-Year Deal With Commanders

Former New England Patriots edge rusher K'Lavon Chaisson is signing a one-year deal for $12 million on Wednesday with the Washington Commanders, sources told Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Chaisson will give Washington more edge-rushing help in 2026 after he had a career-high 7.5 sacks in 16 regular-season games (10 starts) with the Patriots in his lone season with the team. In addition to his 7.5 sacks, the 26-year-old outside linebacker had 31 tackles (18 solo), 10 tackles for loss, 18 QB hits, two pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown. In his new home in D.C., Chaisson should be a starter on the edge opposite another newcomer in Odafe Oweh. The additions of both Chaisson and Oweh are significant for the Commanders' defensive line going into 2026. They finished tied for 12th in sacks (42) last year.

Mar 11

Leo Chenal • LB • Commanders

Commanders Sign Leo Chenal to a Three-Year Deal

The Washington Commanders have signed linebacker Leo Chenal to a three-year deal, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic. The former third-round pick hit free agency for the first time in his career this offseason, following a four-year stint in Kansas City. Across 14 games (12 starts) with the Chiefs last season, he totaled one interception, two passes defended, two sacks, five quarterback hits, and 58 tackles. The University of Wisconsin product played a key role in Kansas City, and he should have similar responsibilities in a Washington defense looking to make key improvements from last season. He should start opposite Frankie Luvu and is presumably the Commanders' preferred choice to replace free agent Bobby Wagner on defense.

Mar 10

Odafe Oweh • OLB • Commanders

Commanders, Odafe Oweh Agree to Four-Year Deal

The Washington Commanders have signed free-agent edge rusher Odafe Oweh to a four-year, $100 million contract that includes $68 million guaranteed, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Oweh spent his first 4.5 NFL seasons with the Baltimore Ravens before being acquired by the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 regular season. He appeared in 17 games last year, amassing 7.5 sacks, 18 quarterback hits, and 38 tackles. Over the last two seasons combined, he has recorded 17.5 sacks. Oweh will provide a key pass-rushing presence within a Commanders' defense that previously lacked starpower. He'll be tasked with slowing down some of the talented quarterbacks in Washington's division, including Dak Prescott, Jalen Hurts, and Jaxson Dart.

Mar 9

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