All eyes are on Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders entering a pivotal season. More specifically, the fantasy football community will be watching them closely after getting burned by the entire offense, including the star quarterback.
Anticipation was high coming off a 2024 NFC Championship Game appearance, and understandably so. Daniels and the Commanders came out of absolutely nowhere and took the world by storm. Drafters were bought in and handsomely invested in their continued ascension in 2025 — but progression isn't always linear, as folks learned the hard way.
Daniels and standout wide receiver Terry McLaurin were in and out of the lineup. Running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt, aka Bill, flashed as a rookie yet never caught up to the hype train fueled by a buzzy offseason. It was truly a worst-case scenario for anyone who spent the capital required to get them.
On the bright side, though, things can’t get any worse in 2026, right? With improved health, first-year offensive coordinator David Blough’s arrival and several new playmakers, there’s reason to believe Washington is set up for a bounce-back campaign.Â
Training camp and the preseason will give us a better idea of what to expect from Daniels and Co. The news will be coming in hot and heavy and difficult to parse once the NFL’s summer break ends, however, so stay tuned.
Let this be a one-stop shop for any meaningful developments concerning Daniels and his supporting case in the coming weeks.
Note: This story will be updated regularly throughout the Washington Commanders' training camp and preseason.
Latest fantasy football updates for the Commanders: News, injuries and position battles
Antonio Williams will still have a spot in Commanders pass game -- 8/9
Although Diggs will eat at some of Williams' reps, his route running and quickness have stood out all summer. When speaking to the media, Diggs said, "14 [Antonio Williams] can hoop a little bit. Young guys don’t get a name in the beginning. You just call them by their number. But he can hoop a little bit, he got some game." Williams will still have a role in this aerial attack.
Stefon Diggs seems to have role in offense taking shape -- 8/9
Ben Standig posted on his Last Man Standig blog that Diggs that league executives think that the slot will be the best spot for the new receiver. Head coach Dan Quinn even called out Diggs' "suddenness inside."
NFL insider Jordan Schultz reveals Commanders sign WR Stefon Diggs -- 8/5
Diggs, a Maryland native, has quite literally been connected to the Commanders for months, so this isn't much of a surprise. At long last, the two sides have found common ground and will join forces.
The four-time Pro Bowler is notably turning 33 in November. He gives franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels another proven commodity wideout, forming an interesting duo with Terry McLaurin nonetheless. Diggs is coming off a seventh 1,000-yard season in eight years; his arrival complicates matters for rookie receiver Antonio Williams and veteran TE Chig Okonkwo.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt separating himself from the rest of the RB pack? -- 8/4
JCM is "flashing enough as a pass catcher to position himself for the largest role in the backfield," per Ben Standig of Last Man Standig.
Croskey-Merritt was an afterthought in the receiving game as a rookie, recording just nine receptions for 68 scoreless yards. Any improvement in that department would be a meaningful boost to his value as an upside RB4, especially in point-per-reception (PPR) formats.
Rachaad White getting majority of first-team reps -- 8/1
Josh Taylor of Covering the Commanders noted that Washington "was rotating bodies a lot" and suggested not to look too deeply into the splits. For now, nevertheless, White appears to be the "1A" back to Jacory Croskey-Merritt's "1B."
White reportedly stood out during organized team activities (OTAs) and minicamp. He has a 1,500-scrimmage-yard season under his belt, so folks should monitor him moving forward.
Antonio Williams is 'so smooth' -- 7/31
It's early, but Williams is garnering attention. The route-running is particularly polished for "a player of his experience and age," per Zach Selby of the Commanders' official site.
Whether Williams can be a Day 1 contributor remains to be seen. It "would not surprise" Selby if the Clemson product became "a focal point of the offense sooner rather than later."
Treylon Burks sidelined with minor injury -- 7/30
Burks was sidelined due to foot soreness. Head coach Dan Quinn didn't seem too concerned, via Zach Selby of the Commanders' official site.
While Burks doesn't offer much standalone value, his presence (or lack thereof) could impact third-round rookie Antonio Williams' path to immediate fantasy relevance, among others.
Chig Okonkwo was 'more active' -- 7/30
Okonkwo reeled in receptions from signal-caller Jayden Daniels on consecutive passes, per Zach Selby of the Commanders' official site.
There is internal belief in Okokwo "to be a top-tier receiving tight end in the league, and his teammates see the talent [too]." Selby wrote. The ex-Tennessee Titan now steps into a better environment and can do damage with the ball for a squad that desperately needs him to.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Rachaad White both fare well -- 7/29
JCM and White each "had a strong practice," according to JP Finlay of NBC Sports. Bill "looked quick," and White displayed the 'soft hands' that head coach Dan Quinn had pointed out.
While Croskey-Merritt is penciled in as a starter, Washington figures to take a committee approach of sorts to its backfield. There's room for another guy to emerge in this productive and efficient rushing attack. They have no shortage of options behind him either, which surely won't be a headache (sike).
Ben Sinnott ready to put it all together? -- 7/29
Sinnott reeled in a nice goal-line touchdown catch, "easily" winning his matchup and keeping both feet in the end zone with some "nifty footwork." He's motivated heading into Year 3 after extremely limited usage across two pro seasons (h/t JP Finlay of NBC Sports).
He's not on the fantasy radar, but more Sinnott can ding veteran tight end Chig Okonkwo's value; the latter is a sneakily interesting TE2 target.
Rookie WR Antonio Williams stands out on Day 1 -- 7/29
Williams "repeatedly made impressive grabs, showing quickness and speed, which are different," per JP Finlay of NBC Sports.
Keep tabs on Williams. The third-round rookie wideout has the talent, pedigree and opportunity to be an immediate difference-maker for the Commanders.
Sleepers, dynasty names and under-the-radar Commanders players to watch
Don't forget about sixth-round rookie running back Kaytron Allen, who goes by "Fatman." He finished a productive collegiate career as Penn State's all-time leading rusher (4,180) before landing in Washington.
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