Washington Commanders

Robinson started all 15 games in which he appeared in 2023 and compiled a respectable 1,101 yards from scrimmage, but Ekeler has topped 1,500 yards from scrimmage three times in his career. Ekeler has 44 touchdowns in the last three seasons, while Robinson has only 12 in his two-year career, so Ekeler will presumably lead Washington's backfield in his age-29 season in 2024 over the 25-year-old Robinson.

Daniels has been remarkably accurate to begin his career, hitting 87 of 106 passes overall, including 47 of 53 in his last two starts to lead Washington to a 3-1 record. His completion percentage in these first four games compares favorably to every relatively busy four-game span for a quarterback since 1950, let alone the first four games of a player's career.

Ekeler suffered a concussion during the Commanders' Week 3 win over the Bengals, and that will keep him out of Sunday's contest. Keim relays that McNichols could fill Ekeler's role as a pass-catching option out of the backfield on third downs as a guy that can also pick up blitzes to protect quarterback Jayden Daniels. McNichols last saw meaningful playing time on offense in 2021 with the Titans as the primary backup to Derrick Henry, with the former rushing for 156 yards on 41 carries while adding 28 catches on 38 targets for 240 yards and one touchdown over 14 regular-season games.

Robinson's pass-catching ability has already been praised frequently by head coach Dan Quinn, and the third-year back could have more of an opportunity than usual to showcase those skills Sunday. He recorded three receptions for 49 yards on four targets in the Week 1 loss to the Buccaneers, but he's been limited to two receptions on four targets since that contest. However, Robinson was much more active in that regard last season, posting a 36-368-4 receiving line on 43 targets across 15 games.

Ekeler suffered his concussion in the third quarter of the 38-33 victory Monday, and while the rest of the team flew on to Arizona on Tuesday, the running back instead went back to the team facility in Virginia. Head coach Dan Quinn noted Wednesday that Ekeler's playmaking ability would be missed against the Cardinals, and the veteran's absence could lead to more pass-catching opportunities for lead back Brian Robinson.

Ekeler has rushed 13 times for 83 yards with a touchdown and caught nine passes for 121 yards in three games.

York's attempts came from 47 and 56 yards, so he didn't exactly miss chip shots, and he made both of his PAT attempts. Nonetheless, he's on a short leash moving forward, even if York gets an opportunity at redemption Week 2 against the Giants.

Brown was a surprise cut from Texans' roster, but it didn't take long for the 2017 seventh-round pick to catch on with the Commanders, who needed to bolster their depth at wideout after trading Jahan Dotson to the Eagles. Brown got to work right away with Daniels at practice, and the former told reporters after Thursday's session that he was "impressed with how [Daniels] operates, how he takes control of things." Brown played in just 10 regular-season games in 2023 due to various injuries, but he still managed to record a career-high 567 receiving yards on 33 catches while adding two touchdowns.

For the moment, Brown finds himself in a position to claim a spot on the depth chart that would have seemed highly improbable as recently as the end of the 2023 regular season. The 2021 third-round pick has played in 47 of a possible 51 regular-season games since entering the NFL, but all he has to show for it is a modest 29-476-3 receiving line and 11 rushing yards on three carries. However, it seems all but certain Brown is about to walk into the heaviest workload of his career -- he's topped out at 278 snaps from scrimmage back in his rookie campaign -- following Dotson's exit.

The rookie bumps up a spot on the depth chart and now has a chance to start the season operating as a complement to top wideout Terry McLaurin, with Olamide Zaccheaus and Dyami Brown also in the mix. McCaffrey was already trending in the right direction after posting a 2-30 receiving line against the Dolphins while also flashing impressively as both a blocker and on special teams in the Commanders' second preseason game, and he's now poised to be locked into even more snaps than previously projected to open the regular season.

The veteran was claimed off waivers in late July from the Jaguars and is the only placekicker currently on the Commanders' roster, but he's made only two of five field-goal attempts through two preseason games. Washington has the No. 2 waiver priority, and coach Dan Quinn indicated that the team would likely be using it come cut-down day to find an upgrade at the position.

Daniels didn't spend much time in the game Saturday, and his production came against the Jets' second-team defense, but the 2024 second overall pick nonetheless checked all the boxes, hitting a go route to Dyami Brown with his arm before eventually scoring a three-yard TD with his legs. Marcus Mariota played the next drive and failed to pick up a first down, so Saturday's successful NFL debut further solidified Daniels' standing atop the depth chart, ahead of Mariota.

Rookie second-round tight end Ben Sinnott has shown flashes of his potential during training camp. However, Ertz has been Daniels' go-to target during team drills, with the veteran tight end's sharp route running making him a lethal threat in the red zone. The challenge for the 33-year-old Ertz has been staying on the field, as he's played in just 17 regular-season games over the past two years. However, if he can stay healthy, the 2013 second-round pick would be a key pass catcher for the Commanders alongside wide receiver Terry McLaurin.

McLaurin will naturally be a key target for whoever is under center for the Commanders this season, and that increasingly looks like it will be Daniels. Therefore, reports McLaurin and Daniels continued to display plenty of chemistry in Friday's practice in the form of a one-handed grab by the wideout on a back-shoulder throw are certainly encouraging for the overall prospects of the duo as they continue to log more time together.

Veteran Marcus Mariota has been thought of as a veteran safety net since he was signed this offseason, given Daniels is fully expected to spend most, if not all, of the 2024 season as a starter. It appears increasingly likely the No. 2 overall pick's tenure at the helm of the Commanders offense will begin Week 1, with Daniels earning his gradual move into the top role with his early training camp performances. Friday, Daniels showed increasing chemistry with Terry McLaurin and Zach Ertz, two pass catchers that are projected to be key targets in the air attack this season.

Daniels is the presumptive favorite to begin the regular season as Washington's starting quarterback, and the 2024 second overall pick got most of the first-team opportunities during June minicamp. However, Mariota will get a chance to stake his claim to the starting role during training camp and preseason. Mariota was drafted second overall himself nine years prior to Daniels, and the veteran quarterback has started 74 regular-season games. Daniels' proclivity for taking big hits rather than sliding was one of the biggest drawbacks on his college tape, so it's possible Mariota will be thrust into action in 2024 even if Daniels ultimately wins the Week 1 starting job.

Forbes had a disappointing rookie season in 2023, as he started only six games due to a combination of poor performance and injury. However, he'll get a fresh start with a new coaching staff, and he worked this offseason to gain more strength, allowing him to better match up with physical receivers within the division such as Philadelphia's A.J. Brown. The Commanders did add Michael Davis this offseason, who could challenge Forbes for a starting job at outside corner.

Dotson had a disappointing second season, with his inability to get off the line of scrimmage being a big factor in his struggles. By contrast, coaches have praised his footwork, so if he can put the two skill sets together he should be able to get his career back on track. The Commanders will be looking for a second receiver to step up alongside Terry McLaurin, and Dotson will have to hold off rookie Luke McCaffrey for the job.

The Commanders aggressively added to their linebacker corps this offseason, leaving Davis' position in flux after was drafted as a middle linebacker back in 2021. He is adjusting well to the new role and is reportedly excited about the switch. Davis has only seven sacks across his first 45 games in the NFL, but that should change in 2024.

After splitting his snaps between defense and special teams over the first four years of his career, Luvu registered 100-plus tackles in each of the last two years as a full-time starter, including a career-high 125 tackles, along with 5.5 sacks, five pass deflections and two forced fumbles in 2023. Luvu signed a three-year, $36 million contract with the Commanders in March, and he will play alongside veteran Bobby Wagner at inside linebacker and under head coach Dan Quinn, who spent the last three seasons leading a dominant Cowboys defense as the defensive coordinator.

The rookie second overall pick from LSU has impressed all offseason, with teammates complimenting his arm strength, demeanor and leadership skills. However, Daniels insists he's remaining within himself and keeping his head down, with Keim noting the promising signal-caller has been arriving at the team facility before 6:00 a.m. and has been faithfully watching film and conducting walkthroughs in the practice bubble with rookie wideout Luke McCaffrey.

Daniels is getting equal reps with veteran Marcus Mariota in the offseason program, but Quinn didn't pretend that there was a true competition for the top job. Daniels has impressed so far with his work ethic and ability to pick up Kingsbury's concepts quickly, and the former Cardinals head coach has plenty of experience working with a mobile QB, as he was calling plays for Kyler Murray in Arizona.

Dotson and Daniels trained together in 2022 before the receiver was drafted by the Commanders in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft and the quarterback transferred to LSU. Dotson showed promise with seven touchdown catches in 12 games as a rookie, but he regressed to four touchdowns in 17 games in 2023 while also seeing his yardage total drop. The Commanders are hoping Daniels will provide stability under center after Carson Wentz, Taylor Heinicke, Sam Howell and Jacoby Brissett all had stints as the team's top quarterback during Dotson's first two NFL seasons.

Newton underwent surgery to repair a Jones fracture in his left foot Monday, after undergoing a similar procedure on his right foot in January. The team hasn't offered a timeline for his return, though it is reportedly optimistic that he'll be ready to begin his rookie season on time. Newton was likely to be eased into his first pro season anyway, as Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen are among the best defensive tackle tandems in the league.

The defensive tackle out of Illinois was expected to get drafted in the first round in 2024, but he slid to the Commanders with the 36th overall pick after undergoing surgery on his right foot in January to repair a partial Jones fracture. Now, Newton will need a procedure on his left foot as well to fix a similar issue. Head coach Dan Quinn didn't provide a timeline for the rookie's return to the field when speaking to the media this weekend, but he was able to participate in a personal Pro Day about two months after his first foot surgery.

Friday's minicamp session was described as a routine one-hour workout, but Daniels still made a positive impression on draft classmates Luke McCaffrey and Ben Sinnott, who should both be key targets for him this season. Keim notes Daniels appeared at ease throughout the session with his coaches and teammates while uncorking several accurate deep passes down the middle versus air and also making precise throws during 7-on-7 drills.

Ertz wrapped up his tenure in Arizona with two injury-shortened seasons in 2022 and 2023, but he still recorded a solid 74-593-5 line across the equivalent of a full regular season in that span. Ertz has now reunited with his head coach of a season-plus with the Cardinals, Kliff Kingsbury, who's Washington's new offensive coordinator. While Ertz's familiarity with Kingsbury's scheme and overall NFL experience naturally gives him a head start on Kansas State's Sinnott, Keim points out the Cardinals ran the seventh-most two-tight-end sets in the NFL during Kingsbury's last three seasons as head coach.

Sinnott showed off his pass-catching chops over his last two seasons with the Wildcats, compiling 80 receptions for 1,123 yards and 10 touchdowns across 26 games in that span. Ertz is certainly an accomplished receiver in his own right who has experience playing under new Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury during their mutual time in Arizona; however, Keim points out the Cardinals ran the seventh-most plays in the league with two tight ends over the last three seasons of his tenure as head coach.

The Commanders reportedly rebuffed trade offers for Allen prior to the draft, but they now have considerable depth at defensive tackles with Daron Payne and Newton in the mix. Allen has two seasons remaining on a four-year, $72 million contract extension and will count $44.4 million against the cap across those two years.

Eric Karabell grabbed Daniels in the 12th round of the 10-team PPR mock draft as the 12th quarterback overall, notably ahead of Caleb Williams, who went 12 picks later. Daniels was picked second overall in the 2024 NFL Draft by Washington after Williams went No. 1 to the Bears. While Williams will have a more talented pass-catching corps at this disposal in Chicago, Daniels' superior scrambling ability could make the former LSU star the most productive rookie quarterback from a fantasy standpoint.

The Commanders selected Coleman with the 67th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, addressing a clear need along their offensive line. It's unclear whether he'll begin his career at tackle or move to guard as a rookie -- he played both during his career at TCU -- but Washington is counting on him to eventually emerge on the blind side of new franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels. In the short term, Coleman would have to beat out Cornelius Lucas for the starting job at left tackle.

Rodriguez showed some promise down the stretch in his rookie season, scoring two touchdowns in Week 16 against the Jets before being shut down for the final two games due to an ankle injury. The 2023 sixth-round draft pick presumably has the inside track on the third-string role once healthy, but Rodriguez is unlikely to leapfrog either Ekeler or Brian Robinson on the depth chart.

Robinson started all 15 games in which he appeared in 2023 and compiled a respectable 1,101 yards from scrimmage, but Ekeler has topped 1,500 yards from scrimmage three times in his career. Ekeler has 44 touchdowns in the last three seasons, while Robinson has only 12 in his two-year career, so Ekeler will presumably lead Washington's backfield in his age-29 season in 2024 over the 25-year-old Robinson.