4 winners (and 3 losers) from the Washington Commanders 2024 preseason

Loser No. 3

Jahan Dotson - Former Commanders WR

Adam Peters displayed a ruthless approach to his roster building almost immediately after taking the general manager job. The Washington Commanders had a lot of holes to fill despite their vast resources available. It's been a whirlwind few months, but the team is in a better place right now.

Another example of this arrived when Jahan Dotson was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. The wide receiver became expendable after struggling to fit into the team's new way of thinking. The likes of Luke McCaffrey, Dyami Brown, and Olamide Zaccheaus all looked capable of getting ahead of him on the depth chart. Peters took the best available offer, even if it came from a division rival.

This was a bitterly disappointing end to Dotson's time in Washington. He was a first-round selection tipped to be the perfect foil opposite Pro Bowl pass-catcher Terry McLaurin. The former Penn State standout flashed promise on occasion, but it was nowhere near the level anticipated.

Dotson will have extra motivation to make the Commanders pay for their lack of faith. But make no mistake, the wideout has nobody to blame but himself.

Winner No. 4

Jayden Daniels - Commanders QB

Jayden Daniels is under a bigger microscope than most heading into his rookie campaign. The No. 2 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft made an exceptional transition from college to the pros with the spotlight glaring over training camp. He managed to build on this positive momentum during his limited preseason involvement.

Daniels displayed all the character traits the Commanders were hoping for. His ability to go through his progressions quickly and rapid-fire distraction left a notable impression. He navigated the pocket extremely well, got the football out on time with accuracy, and even got the chance to showcase his deep throwing for good measure.

The former LSU star was named QB1 as expected after earning the right to start the campaign. Excitement is through the roof regarding Daniels and what he could accomplish, with many tipping the Heisman Trophy winner to beat out No. 1 pick Caleb Williams for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2024.

Arguably the most impressive thing about Daniels is his demeanor. He's composed, takes everything in his stride, and is working hard to improve. That mentality won over teammates and coaches alike, which is the biggest plus imaginable ahead of Week 1 at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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