Luke McCaffrey making most of limited Commanders chances as breakout looms

It's been a slow burn for Luke McCaffrey this season. The Washington Commanders saw potential in the wide receiver that could be developed into something more with additional development. But Dan Quinn's coaching staff are taking their time with the rookie to avoid any unnecessary complications.

Some fans are imploring for the Commanders to get McCaffrey more involved. There isn't much consistency in the wide receiver room aside from Pro Bowl pass-catcher Terry McLaurin. His flashes have been brief, but the consistency could be of use as Washington looks to cement its postseason status in 2024.

Until then, McCaffrey is making the most of limited opportunities. His fourth-down conversion catch against the Tennesee Titans represented another step in the right direction. It also highlighted the enhanced confidence between quarterback Jayden Daniels and his fellow first-year pro.

Whether this amounts to increased usage after the bye is anyone's guess. Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury seems happy enough with the current dynamic. It's also worth noting that McCaffery has some growing to do despite boasting a decent separation rate without the targets to show for it.

Commanders staying patient with Luke McCaffrey's rookie development

McCaffrey is still learning the nuances of playing the wide receiver position. He had two seasons as a wideout at Rice after transitioning from the quarterback spot. The No. 100 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft is coming along nicely, but asking him to do too much at this juncture could prove complicated.

At the same time, this might be a nice weapon for Kingsbury to have in his arsenal. The margins are finer at this stage of the campaign. If Washington makes the postseason, McCaffrey might be a surprise some teams don't see coming given the relatively small sample size to date.

The Commanders have given McCaffrey just 20 targets throughout the season - 16 of which he's brought in for an 80 percent success rate and 155 receiving yards. He's dependable and athletic. Being better at getting open quicker against press coverage is only going to serve him well moving forward.

A breakout is looming for McCaffrey. When that'll be is anyone's guess. It might be after the bye. It might be in the postseason. It might be early in 2025 with another offseason to develop his craft. There's just no telling for sure.

McCaffrey is patient and professional, which has served him well so far. He's been on the field for 41 percent of offensive snaps and is growing in confidence with every successful target. The trajectory is still pointing up for the third-round selection, so the Commanders will have no choice other than to make him more of a focal point if the same trend continues.

The player has talent. It's just a case of Kingsbury trusting him enough to come through in the most crucial moments.

After that, it's all systems go.

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