Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels will have everything to prove in 2026. But general manager Adam Peters must also do his part to aid the dynamic signal-caller.
Coming off one of the most electrifying rookie seasons by a passer in NFL history, everything that could have gone wrong for him in Year 2 went wrong. He played in only seven games, finishing only four, and his stats took a nosedive.
A lot of that can be blamed on the lack of support Daniels had around him. Top wide receiver Terry McLaurin was injured for most of the time the quarterback was healthy, and former offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury did not establish the run as he did in 2024.
Jay Gruden calls on Commanders to get a dynamic wide receiver during the 2026 NFL Draft
All of that needs to change during the 2026 campaign, and the Commanders might have a prime opportunity to add a dynamic offensive weapon in the 2026 NFL Draft with the No. 7 overall pick, namely Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love or Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate.
It raises an interesting question about which direction Washington should take.
Former Washington head coach Jay Gruden appeared on 106.7 The Fan to discuss Daniels and the upcoming draft. Grant Paulsen asked him whether it would be more beneficial for the signal-caller to have another wideout to throw to, or a running back to loosen his load.
"I think with Jayden's skill set, I would rather have an exceptional wide receiver that can take more coverage and force a lot of teams to play more Cover 2, where he can really use his ability to run the ball. The back will be a lot better because of that, because they have a great receiver that can take the top off."
Commanders fans might not have the fondest memories of Gruden's coaching tenure, but he makes sense here.
Particularly, Daniels could use another receiving weapon. His struggles last season were all related to a lack of separation in the offense. His accuracy and field vision cratered, in large part because nobody could get open.
When you have an elite passing game, it makes the backfield better. Especially for a dual-threat quarterback like Daniels, new coordinator David Blough will be able to utilize more designed runs for him as opposed to making him scramble out of necessity.
If Love and Tate are both available when Washington selects at No. 7, the decision should be an easy one. The Commanders' single most important need is a second high-profile pass-catcher opposite McLaurin.