The Washington Commanders' offense has a lot of unknowns attached right now. From the new coordinator to the returning quarterback and the new blocking concepts to the innovative scheme, the fascinating dynamics are everywhere you look. And the pieces must mold together quickly before Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
General manager Adam Peters got younger and more explosive. While there is room for further improvement, two notable free-agent acquisitions could help the Commanders strengthen an area of the offense that was often found wanting last time around.
Kliff Kingsbury's scheme featured frequent screen passes. Not many went for big yardage, and that has to change. ESPN insider John Keim believes the Commanders may have found the right formula for David Blough in the form of running back Rachaad White and tight end Chig Okonkwo.
Commanders should have a more dynamic screen game with Rachaad White and Chig Okonkwo
Keim thought the presence of White and Okonkwo could make the offense more diverse. Both are dynamic after the catch, with the burst needed to create separation quickly. While it will take much more for this offense to be successful, having these security blankets will only enhance quarterback Jayden Daniels' ability to bounce back.
"Washington's screen game could be more diverse as well. Last season, the Commanders ranked second in receiver screens but finished 15th in tight end screens with only two (they were 19th in running back screens). By adding White and Okonkwo, those numbers should change and add to a more diverse attack. And if that happens, it could mitigate what the unit doesn't (yet) have at receiver."
Deebo Samuel Sr. did an admirable job in difficult circumstances last season, but his best days are long gone. Zach Ertz was a dependable presence over the middle and in the red zone before tearing his ACL, but his days of breaking tackles are a thing of the past. And for all Jacory Croskey-Merritt's strengths during a phenomenal rookie campaign, his pass-catching skills out of the backfield need significant work.
White and Okonkwo are here to change all that. They are more athletic and elusive. They can absorb contact and keep their legs moving. And they could exploit the smallest seams for lofty gains.
If they provide an upgrade, it'll open things up for everybody else.
There aren't many in the Commanders' receiver room with the ability to stretch the field. But if defensive coverages need to press a little closer to the line of scrimmage in pursuit of restricting the screen game, opportunities will be there for Daniels to exploit. And the signal-caller's deep ball accuracy can take advantage of them.
Blough will have ideas to maximize both White and Okonkwo. If everything meshes well, screens could once again become a substantial part of Washington's offensive strategy.
But this time, they might just work.
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