Is Jayden Daniels Too Expensive to Help Your Fantasy Team?

Washington Commanders 2026 Overview

Schedule

Wins

Play Calling

Key Additions

• TE Chig Okonkwo
• WR Antonio Williams
• RB Rachaad White
• RB Kaytron Allen
• WR Dyami Brown

Key Departures

• RB Chris Rodriguez
• TE Zach Ertz
• RB Austin Ekeler

Notable Coaching Changes

• OC David Blough replaces OC Kliff Kingsbury

Jayden Daniels

2025 Role & Results

Injuries Limit the Fantasy Impact

Knee, hamstring, and elbow injuries limited Daniels to seven games. In five full games, he averaged:

• 205.6 passing yards
• 1.4 passing TDs
• 45.4 rushing yards
• 0.2 rushing TDs

His 17.5 fantasy points per game ranked only 18th among QBs, a sharp drop from his QB6 finish at 21.6 in 2024. 

In those five full games, he finished QB13, QB21, QB17, QB3, and QB13.

Regression Hits in Year 2

Daniels wasn’t able to re-create his highly efficient rookie season.

Among 42 QBs with 150+ attempts, he ranked:

• 15th in adjusted completion rate
• 20th in fantasy points per dropback
• 27th in yards per attempt
• 36th in catchable-throw rate
• 37th in completion rate over expected

Compare that to his 2024 finishes at:

• fifth in fantasy points per dropback
• seventh in catchable-throw rate
• eighth in adjusted completion rate
• 11th in completion rate over expected
• 14th in yards per attempt

The context around him also wasn’t nearly as favorable as it was in 2024.

Daniels’ Pass Catchers Let Him Down

Daniels returned to the same coaching duo of OC Kliff Kingsbury and HC Dan Quinn, but the setup around him wasn’t as strong. 

After playing all 17 games in 2024, Terry McLaurin appeared in just two of Daniels’ five full games and totaled only 75 yards in those games. The rest of Washington’s thin pass-catching corps didn’t help, as the group combined for a league-high 10.9% drop rate after dropping just 4.2% in 2024. 

Daniels faced pressure on 42.2% of his dropbacks, seventh-most in the same 42-QB sample. The O-line drew mixed reviews, ranking eighth in Pro Football Focus pass-blocking grade but 18th in ESPN pass-block win rate and 20th in adjusted sack rate.

Most importantly, Daniels’ own health kept him from repeating 2024.

Injury Trouble Started Early

Durability concerns surfaced early with a Week 2 knee sprain. Daniels missed two games, returned for three, then lost another game to a hamstring injury. 

The biggest setback came in Week 9, when a dislocated left elbow sidelined him until Week 14. He aggravated the elbow in that return and didn’t play again. 

Fortunately, Daniels avoided surgery and has participated in the offseason program.

2026 Opportunity & Projection

Washington Passes On a Major Addition

The Commanders moved on from last year’s top two target earners, Deebo Samuel and Zach Ertz, vacating 171 targets.

A healthy Terry McLaurin returns as the clear No. 1 WR, but the team enters the summer without a clear second target.

Antonio Williams arrived as a Round 3 pick. He broke out as a freshman, leading Clemson in reception share (18.7%) and receiving yards share (18.5%). The Commanders praised his versatility after the draft, and it’s easy to see him earning a role given the rest of the depth chart.

Treylon Burks, Dyami Brown, Van Jefferson, Jaylin Lane, and Luke McCaffrey will compete for roles in training camp, but none of those guys hit even 400 yards last season.

Chig Okonkwo could make a difference after arriving in free agency. The TE posted career highs in catches (56) and yards (560) last season, but he never fully broke out for a Titans offense that ranked bottom-6 in passing yards in each of his four seasons. 

At minimum, Okonkwo is a major athletic upgrade on Ertz. And his three-year deal with $16.7 million guaranteed suggests Washington views him as a sizable piece of the offense.

The Commanders also return four of five O-line starters. Nick Allegretti is likely to replace Tyler Biadasz at center after signing a two-year extension in March, but he has only two career starts there.

Daniels’ overall environment looks a bit better than it did in 2025, even with center unsettled.

Expect to See a New Offensive Philosophy

Daniels spent his first two seasons under OC Kliff Kingsbury, who executed an up-tempo, shotgun-heavy offense. 

Play calling shifts to David Blough, Washington’s assistant QBs coach for the past two seasons. The former NFL QB has never called plays, but he’s expected to put Daniels under center more and lean harder into play action.

Blough is also expected to move McLaurin around the formation, which happened more rarely under Kingsbury

“When we snap the ball,” Blough said, “you shouldn’t know if we’re running it (or) throwing it from all different aspects (with) multiple personnel groupings.”

Blough’s lack of a play-calling history makes this offense tough to project, but we expect Daniels’ legs to remain a major factor after he averaged 8.8 carries per game over the past two seasons.

Paths to Ceiling

Daniels already showed the ceiling path in 2024, ranking second among QBs in rushing yards (891) and tying for third in rushing TDs (6). The result was a QB5 fantasy finish (QB6 in points per game). And that jumped to a tie for second in points per game if you remove the contest he left in the first half.

Washington should continue using Daniels on scrambles and designed runs while the RB depth chart sorts itself out. And the additions of Williams and Okonkwo, plus better health from McLaurin, should give Daniels more receiving help than he had in 2025. 

Daniels is capable of leading the position in fantasy scoring.

Risk Factors

Daniels’ second season was derailed by three injuries plus an elbow aggravation that effectively made it four. There’s also some risk with the offense shifting to a first-time play caller.

However, Daniels’ rushing ability should keep him in weekly-starter range even if the passing numbers don’t fully rebound.

A healthy Daniels should rank among the safer fantasy bets at QB.

Rachaad White

2025 Role & Results

White Has Been on the Decline

White ran 132 times for 572 yards and 4 TDs in 2025, adding 40 catches for 218 yards.

White spent 2022-2025 with the Buccaneers, bouncing between featured-back and job-sharing roles:

His 2023 season showed White could produce as a primary option, with career highs in TDs (9 total) and catches (64) fueling an RB1-level finish. But his production slipped over the last two seasons after the team drafted Bucky Irving in 2024. 

New Guy Beat Him Out

White’s carry share also dipped over the past two seasons with Irving on the roster:

White had one lead-back season in 2023, when he finished RB10. But Irving beat him out in both 2024 and 2025, and White’s rushing efficiency numbers help explain why.

Inefficient Rushing & Receiving in 2025

Among 51 RBs with 90+ carries in 2025, White ranked 27th in yards per carry (4.25) and 44th in rush yards over expected per attempt (minus-0.22), down from 4.33 and 0.36 in 2024.  

His yards after contact also fell from 3.13 per attempt (18th) in 2024 to 2.95 (35th) in 2025. Put it together, and White's rushing profile offered little encouragement last season. 

His receiving profile regressed sharply, too, from 1.32 yards per route run (23rd) in 2024 to 0.72 YPRR (63rd) in 2025. That's a major drop for a player whose pass catching helped fuel his top-10 season in 2023. 

White did still grade decently in pass blocking, where he ranked 22nd in PFF grade among 136 RBs in 2025. That grade dipped vs. his 2024 mark but found him ranked in the same range.

His receiving and blocking edge on the competitors in Washington’s backfield constitute White’s biggest advantage.

2026 Opportunity & Projection

Contract Doesn’t Guarantee Anything

White signed a mere one-year, $2 million deal with the Commanders, which isn’t large enough to lock him into any particular role.

The primary competition comes from two directions. Second-year back Jacory Croskey-Merritt flashed genuine efficiency as a rookie in 2025, posting 4.6 YPC (15th), 3.50 yards after contact per attempt (seventh), and 0.79 RYOE per attempt (12th). 

HC Dan Quinn specifically praised Croskey-Merritt’s explosiveness and noted visible physical improvement this offseason: "From a play design perspective where it's a little bit different, where it's some stretch, cutback-type plays, so seeing him do that and his explosiveness to go and do that is a big deal."

Sixth-round rookie Kaytron Allen left Penn State as the program's all-time leader in carries (769) and rushing yards (4,180). He ranked ninth among rookie RBs in the Draft Sharks rookie model and could earn a bigger role in this thin backfield if he shows enough in training camp.

Quinn’s spring assessment of his backfield suggested we should expect a committee: "It's probably some main guys in certain parts. It's not going to be one person the entire time, but I do like the competition in the group."

Blough's Play-Action Could Aid RBs

Jayden Daniels is a major factor in any Washington RB projection. One of the league's most dangerous rushing QBs, he averaged 8.8 carries per game over the past two seasons. Daniels overall rushing efficiency can take away carries from the RBs behind him. The Commanders ranked 31st in RB Carry Share (71.2%) in 2025 and 32nd in RB Carry Share (67.3%) in 2024.  

The scheme change adds another layer of uncertainty. New OC David Blough spent the last two seasons working directly with Daniels as assistant QBs coach, but he has never called plays. 

He says he wants to put Daniels under center more, use more play-action, and run multiple personnel groupings.  

Washington led the league in shotgun rate (86.9%) and no-huddle rate (60.8%) in 2025, under Kliff Kingsbury. Blough's approach will look different.

The offensive line should help. Washington returns four of five starters, with Nick Allegretti the likely replacement for Tyler Biadasz at center after signing a two-year extension in March. Allegretti has just two career starts at center, so there's some adjustment risk there, but continuity elsewhere should keep the run blocking functional.

Ceiling Requires Winning the Competition

If White can beat out his competitors for the team carry lead, then there’s upside into RB2 range. Washington RBs collectively ranked 11th in PPR points in 2024, with a healthy Daniels -- even with the QB’s rushing success.

That said, we have White leading Washington RBs in fantasy scoring because of his receiving advantage. His weak rushing performance ushered him out of Tampa and earned him no real interest on the open market.

So don’t bet on White climbing beyond RB3 range.

White Could Fall to No. 3

The floor is White falling to No. 3 on the depth chart behind Croskey-Merritt and a developing Allen, which would crush his fantasy impact. 

White could retain enough receiving duties in this case to stay in RB4 territory, but that’s not a particularly useful range for most fantasy managers. 

White's lackluster efficiency in both rushing and receiving make him vulnerable.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt

2025 Role & Results

Overcame His Draft Capital

Croskey-Merritt ran 175 times for 805 yards and 8 TDs in 2025, adding 9 catches on 13 targets for 68 yards.

Croskey-Merritt entered 2025 as a seventh-round pick with minimal expectations and beat them. He finished just RB33 at 8.3 PPR points per game, but he still turned late draft capital into a consistent role and seven starts.

JCM led RBs in rushing TDs while handling 35.3% of the team’s carries inside the 5-yard line. Chris Rodriguez actually led the team at 42.4%, but he has since moved on to the Jaguars, opening more goal-line work for Croskey-Merritt in 2026.

Croskey-Merritt Broke Tackles

The efficiency metrics for Croskey-Merritt looked strong. Among 51 RBs with 90+ carries, here’s how he ranked:

The rookie broke tackles and created more yardage than was blocked for him.

Those marks easily topped new Commanders teammate Rachaad White, who ranked 27th in yards per carry (4.25), 44th in RYOE per attempt (minus-0.22), and 35th in YAC per attempt (2.95).

The receiving profile is where the limitations show up. Croskey-Merritt averaged just 1.15 YPRR (28th among backs) and his yards after catch per reception of 5.7 ranked 71st. 

The college profile doesn’t offer any evidence of receiving upside either. He only had seven catches in his lone full FBS season in 2023 at New Mexico.

Coach Sees a Youngster Trending Upward

HC Dan Quinn's comments at minicamp signal genuine belief in what Croskey-Merritt can become. Quinn specifically highlighted his fit in the new offensive scheme: "From a play design perspective where it's a little bit different, where it's some stretch, cutback-type plays, so seeing him do that and his explosiveness to go and do that is a big deal." 

Quinn also noted visible physical development: "You can see some of that take on shape through workouts, getting stronger and adding more size and strength to him. Those are things you don't do during that first year. You do it during this time." 

The offseason drumbeat has been positive for Croskey-Merritt and his second-year upside.

2026 Opportunity & Projection

Expect a Committee

In addition to letting Rodriguez walk in free agency, the Commanders signed White and Jerome Ford to small, one-year contracts and drafted Kaytron Allen in Round 6.

Here’s how Quinn assessed the backfield in spring: "It's probably some main guys in certain parts. It's not going to be one person the entire time, but I do like the competition in the group." 

White arrives with ample receiving and pass-blocking experience, positioning him as at least the lead candidate for passing situations. Croskey-Merritt answers with a lack of displayed ability in that area, which increases the importance of winning early-down work and goal-line opportunities.

Allen left Penn State as the all-time leader in carries and rushing yards. He ranked ninth in the Draft Sharks rookie model and will battle Croskey-Merritt for rushing duties.

Ford and holdover Jeremy McNichols must prove they belong in the competition.

More Under Center Helps This Run Game

Jayden Daniels is a major factor in any Washington RB projection. One of the league's most dangerous rushing QBs, he averaged 8.8 carries per game over the past two seasons. Daniels overall rushing efficiency can take away carries from the RBs behind him. The Commanders ranked 31st in RB Carry Share (71.2%) in 2025 and 32nd in RB Carry Share (67.3%) in 2024.  

The offensive scheme change is another interesting variable. New OC David Blough, promoted from assistant QBs coach after two seasons, has never called plays. That makes this offense difficult to project. 

Blough wants to put Daniels under center more, use more play-action, and run multiple personnel groupings.  

Washington led the league in shotgun rate (86.9%) and no-huddle rate (60.8%) in 2025 under Kliff Kingsbury. More under-center work and play action also point to the run game remaining central to Washington’s plan. The Commanders ran at the league’s sixth-highest rate in 2024, with Daniels healthy.

Washington returns four of five starters on the O-line, with Nick Allegretti replacing Tyler Biadasz at center after signing a two-year extension in March. Allegretti has just two career starts there, but continuity along the rest of the line should keep the run blocking functional.

Open Backfield Presents Opportunity … and Danger

It’s tough to bet on any receiving value from this guy. That lowers the fantasy ceiling and challenges his weekly floor. The best place to take a shot on Croskey-Merritt will be non-PPR leagues.

If he wins primary rushing work from the start of the season and handles the bulk of the goal-line carries, JCM could factor into the RB2 or flex picture in non-PPR. His 4.6 yards per carry that ranked 15th in the league last year points to efficiency upside, and Washington ranked fifth in the league in scoring the last time it had a healthy Daniels.

The risk, of course, is that Croskey-Merritt gets mired in committee that doesn’t give anyone enough carries to be startable in fantasy. The worst case -- short of injury -- would find Allen beating out his new teammate for lead carries and goal-line action.

Kaytron Allen

2025 Role & Results

Allen Breaks Penn State Records

Allen lasted until Round 6 but landed in an open Commanders backfield with minimally paid veterans Rachaad White and Jerome Ford, and 2025 seventh-round pick Jacory Croskey-Merritt.   

Allen arrives after a four-year Penn State career with an encouraging trajectory.

The 2025 season is the headline. Allen averaged 6.2 yards per carry across 210 carries and scored 15 rushing TDs, a significant leap from his prior seasons. 

He left as the program's all-time leader in carries (769) and rushing yards (4,180). That kind of volume durability over a full college career is a meaningful indicator of a back who can handle a workload, especially when you consider he held that rushing lead over fellow 2026 draftee Nicholas Singleton (Titans, Round 5).

Draft Capital Limits Potential

The draft capital tells a more complicated story. Allen was the ninth RB taken. That slide reflects real athletic concerns. 

The Draft Sharks rookie model ranked Allen ninth in the class with a 6.27 overall score, placing him in the below-average tier. His analytic average (3.8) and athleticism score (3.8) both ranked lowest among the top nine backs. 

Allen skipped predraft testing, possibly to avoid confirming those athleticism concerns. But his film still shows the limitations.

Allen projects as a between-the-tackles runner who wins with physicality and vision rather than speed or explosion. His college receiving numbers were functional but unspectacular, making that area unlikely to factor heavily into his NFL production.

2026 Opportunity & Projection

This Depth Chart Has No Lock

Although the backfield looks open, Allen will need to overtake a Washington incumbent in Jacory Croskey-Merritt and fifth-year veteran Rachaad White to earn touches.

HC Dan Quinn was transparent about the situation in spring: "It's probably some main guys in certain parts. It's not going to be one person the entire time, but I do like the competition in the group." That's an open invitation for Allen to compete right away.

White signed a mere one-year, $2 million contract, which clearly doesn’t guarantee him any particular role. He brings legitimate receiving and pass-blocking ability, which could get him on the field early in the season. 

White ranked fifth in PFF pass-blocking grade in 2025, but his rushing efficiency was mediocre in 2025 (27th in yards per carry (4.25) and 44th in rushing yards over expected per attempt (-0.22) among 51 running backs with 90+ carries in 2025).

Croskey-Merritt was a seventh-round pick just a year ago, but he showed strong efficiency himself:

Croskey-Merritt also showed goal-line success, handling 35.3% of the team's carries inside the 5 and converting four of those 12 attempts into TDs. Chris Rodriguez left behind a team-high 42.4% share of those carries, which presents additional TD upside. 

If Allen shows enough in training camp, he should get a real chance to compete for touches with both White and Croskey-Merritt. The path is there for him to climb the depth chart.

The Scheme Change Helps the Run Game

Jayden Daniels is a major factor in any Washington RB projection. One of the league's most dangerous rushing QBs, he averaged 8.8 carries per game over the past two seasons. Daniels overall rushing efficiency can take away carries from the RBs behind him. The Commanders ranked 31st in RB Carry Share (71.2%) in 2025 and 32nd in RB Carry Share (67.3%) in 2024.  

The offensive scheme change is another interesting variable. New OC David Blough, promoted from assistant QBs coach after two seasons, has never called plays. That makes this offense genuinely difficult to project. 

Blough wants to put Daniels under center more, use more play-action, and run multiple personnel groupings.  

Washington led the league in shotgun rate (86.9%) and no-huddle rate (60.8%) in 2025 under Kliff Kingsbury. That shift matters for Allen and the RBs because more under-center snaps and play action also signal plans to run plenty in support of those factors. Washington rushed at the league’s sixth-highest rate in 2024, with a healthy Daniels.

Washington returns four of five O-linestarters, with Nick Allegretti the likely replacement for Tyler Biadasz at center after signing a two-year extension in March. Allegretti has just two career starts at center, but continuity elsewhere should keep the run blocking functional.

Ceiling Requires Allen Ascending The Depth Chart

We’re not projecting Allen to win the lead rushing role from the start of the season, but that’s certainly not out of reach. He just spent four years out-carrying Singleton, a five-star recruit who got drafted the round ahead of him.

The receiving upside’s probably limited, at least as long as White’s healthy. And even if he were to go down early, Jerome Ford brings 107 career NFL catches.

Given all that, Allen probably tops out as an RB3 for fantasy purposes. There’s spot-start upside but probably not much more outside non-PPR formats.

Sixth-Round Rookies Usually Wait

The risk is that Allen stays buried as a third back who never separates from the competition. Sixth-round rookie RBs rarely get enough early work to build fantasy value, and Allen's athletic limitations only make a breakout harder if White and Croskey-Merritt lock down defined roles. 

Terry McLaurin

2025 Role & Results

Career Lows Across the Board

Two quad injuries helped limit McLaurin to 38 catches, 582 yards, and 3 TDs in 10 games. He reached 80 yards in a game once.

McLaurin finished 36th among WRs in PPR points per game and 34th in half-PPR. He cracked the top 12 just once, posted only two other top-24 finishes, and landed outside the top 36 in five games.

His Target Share Dipped in the Small Sample

McLaurin’s 20.4% target share (adjusted for games missed) came in below his 23.5% mark from 2024.

His role remained heavily perimeter-based, with 86.3% of his routes coming out wide. He also posted a 14.1-yard average depth of target, his highest since 2019.

Still, His Efficiency Proved Strong

McLaurin’s 2.22 yards per route run marked a career high and placed 13th among 76 WRs with 50+ targets. His 64.4% catch rate dipped just below his career average, but that’s understandable with the deeper target profile. 

The bigger drop came after the catch, where McLaurin’s 2.6 yards after catch per reception was easily a career low, down from 4.4, 4.5, and 5.1. 

That dip also comes with some injury-related context. (More on that in a minute.) 

Poor QB Play Hurt His Fantasy Output

McLaurin posted a career-best WR7 ranking in total PPR points in 2024, boosted by Jayden Daniels' breakthrough rookie season. 

But Daniels made only seven appearances in an injury-wrecked 2025. He played just three games with McLaurin, and the small sample produced poor results:

• 4 targets, 2 catches, and 27 yards
• 9 targets, 5 catches, and 48 yards
• 6 targets, 3 catches, and 41 yards

In relief, Marcus Mariota and Josh Johnson combined for a below-average 61.5% completion rate and 206.7 yards per game across 10 starts. 

The Commanders finished just 29th in pass rate, 31st in pass attempts, and 29th in neutral pass rate.

McLaurin’s Injury Trouble Started in the Summer

McLaurin snapped a streak of four straight seasons with 17 games played.

An ankle injury and a contract holdout cost him the start of training camp, though he came off the PUP list in mid-August and signed a three-year extension with Washington about a week later.

A quad injury in Week 3 became the real problem. McLaurin returned in Week 8 but re-injured the quad and missed the next three games.

Before last season, McLaurin hadn’t missed a game due to injury since a one-game absence for an ankle sprain in 2020.

2026 Opportunity & Projection

No Debate Over McLaurin’s Role

Washington didn’t add a single challenger for McLaurin’s No. 1 role. 

Instead, this unit lost last year’s top two targets, Zach Ertz and Deebo Samuel, vacating 171 targets. 

At WR, they’ll look to fill in the gaps with some combination of:

• Antonio Williams
• Treylon Burks
• Dyami Brown
• Van Jefferson
• Jaylin Lane
• Luke McCaffrey

Williams bears watching as a Round 3 rookie. He broke out as a freshman, leading Clemson in reception share (18.7%) and receiving yards share (18.5%). The Commanders praised his versatility after the draft, and a thin veteran group gives him a reasonable chance at a significant role. But that doesn’t make him a threat to McLaurin’s workload.

TE Chig Okonkwo landed a three-year deal with $16.7 million guaranteed, but his Tennessee appeal was driven more by athleticism than production. He has played every game across four seasons and still hasn’t reached 60 catches or 600 yards, so he almost certainly won’t impact McLaurin’s role.

Washington could still make a move with more potential to affect McLaurin, such as signing Brandon Aiyuk or Stefon Diggs. For now, though, the Commanders are built for McLaurin to challenge his career-high in targets (134 in 2020).

Daniels’ Play Remains Vital … But We’re Not Concerned

McLaurin’s rebound case depends heavily on Daniels returning to form.

Daniels’ passing efficiency dipped in a smaller 2025 sample, falling to 6.7 yards per attempt and a 60.6% completion rate. As a rookie, he posted 7.4 YPA with a 68.4% completion rate.

That decline doesn’t worry us much. Daniels played through injuries, and drops hurt his efficiency. His adjusted completion rate, which accounts for drops, throwaways, and spikes, dipped only from 78.1% to 76.2%. 

Missing McLaurin for four of seven games only added to the struggles.

Look for More Creative Usage of McLaurin

In February, new OC David Blough committed to building the passing attack around McLaurin.

“This thing's going to be built around how do we get Terry 10 targets a game and get him explosive receptions after explosive receptions to kind of flip the field."

Blough spent the past two seasons as Washington’s assistant QBs coach and has yet to call plays at any level, so there’s no track record to lean on when projecting his offense. The 31-year-old is only three seasons removed from playing backup QB in Detroit.

The understanding, though, is that Washington will implement an offense with more play-action passing and fewer shotgun looks. McLaurin is also expected to move around the formation much more than he did in former OC Kliff Kingsbury’s system.

“I think the multitude of formations and route combinations is going to give all of us flexibility to move around the formation, keep the defense on their toes and have a lot of routes that may look similar at the stem but different at the top,” McLaurin said via The Athletic.

“I love that because that allows me to present the same stem to these DBs, but they have to respect (that) I can go left, right, I can go vertical because I can still run by you, I could stop or I could go in. Just having those types of variations in your route tree is just an unbelievable weapon to have as a receiver.”

We’re still expecting Washington to be one of the league’s run-heaviest teams because of Daniels’ rushing ability and the thin receiving corps. But that was already the case in 2024 (sixth-highest rushing rate), when McLaurin delivered top-10 fantasy scoring.

Paths to Ceiling

McLaurin’s history includes a WR7 fantasy finish just two seasons ago. He probably won’t repeat the 13 TDs of that season but looks like a good bet to exceed his 117 targets of 2024.

A rebound season from Jayden Daniels would only add to McLaurin’s appeal as a potential low-end WR1.

Risk Factors

A quad injury derailed McLaurin’s 2025, and he’ll turn 31 on Sept. 15. That gives him some decline risk. He’ll also need Daniels to stay on the field after an injury-marred Year 2.

Further injury trouble for either player could limit McLaurin’s impact to WR3 range.

Antonio Williams

His College Career Produced Early Highs … And Plenty of Volatility 

Williams joined the college ranks as a four-star prospect, opting for Clemson over a number of high-profile schools like Georgia, Texas, and Notre Dame.

He broke out immediately at Clemson with team highs in catches (56) and yards (604), plus 4 TDs. Toe and ankle injuries stalled that momentum in Year 2 and cost him eight games.

Williams rebounded with a career-best 2024: 75 receptions, 904 yards, and 11 TDs. Those amounted to team highs in reception share (22.6%), receiving yardage share (23.1%), and receiving TD share (29.7%).

Williams’ production slipped as a senior, partly because Clemson’s offense regressed. QB Cade Klubnik fell from 260 passing yards and 2.6 TDs per game in 2024 to 245.2 yards and 1.33 TDs. Williams also lost two games to a September hamstring injury.

Clemson Placed Him in a Specific Role

Clemson utilized Williams in a shorter-range, slot-heavy role.

In four seasons, he ran 78% of his routes from the slot. Meanwhile, his career average depth of target stood at 8.4 yards.

2026 Opportunity & Projection

Behind McLaurin, it’s a Wide Open WR Room

The Commanders saw enough to draft Williams early in Round 3 as the ninth WR off the board.

The landing spot looks promising for a Year 1 role. The Commanders return Terry McLaurin as the clear top target, but there’s not an established No. 2 behind him. Williams will compete with this underwhelming veteran group:

• Treylon Burks
• Dyami Brown
• Van Jefferson
• Jaylin Lane
• Luke McCaffrey

Only Jefferson has exceeded 30 catches in a season or reached 400 yards, and even he hasn't done either since 2021.

TE Chig Okonkwo brings an athletic skill set and a new three-year deal with $16.7 million guaranteed. But he’s reached a 15% target share only once in four seasons (2023). So there’s likely room for him and Williams to co-exist.

Jayden Daniels Raised the Ceiling in 2024

Injuries wrecked Jayden Daniels’ 2025, but his 2024 rookie campaign showed he can elevate the passing game. 

Among 28 QBs with 300+ attempts that year, Daniels ranked sixth in catchable-throw rate and eighth in adjusted completion rate.

The Commanders' Passing Game Will Have a New Look

The Commanders are learning a new scheme from first-time play caller David Blough. A former NFL QB, Blough spent the past two seasons as Washington’s assistant QBs coach, so he brings familiarity with Daniels.

His approach should look much different from former OC Kliff Kingsbury’s. Washington led the league in shotgun rate (86.9%) and no-huddle rate (60.8%) in 2025, but Blough’s unit is expected to play slower with more under-center and play-action looks.

Blough explained the goal at minicamp.

“Just trying to open (the quarterback’s) eyes, maybe, under center to some of the play-action concepts and different things we want to (use to) stretch people horizontally and vertically,” Blough said via The Athletic. “We’re not creating essentially new concepts. Just asking them to do different things.”

We expect Williams – at 5’11, 187 pounds -- to spend most of his time in the slot. But GM Adam Peters praised his versatility after the draft. Williams also impressed in the offseason program, drawing positive chatter from Blough.

"Antonio's been great stepping in, learning the system, and he's made some plays out here, too, which has been exciting.”

Blough might prove effective as a play caller, but slower pace and lower play volume would be tough on a secondary target. We also project the Commanders for a low 52% pass rate. That would have ranked fourth-lowest in the league last year.

Paths To Ceiling 

Washington’s lack of proven pass catchers gives Williams a realistic chance to emerge as the No. 2 target. Williams could become a flex-level spot starter if he wins a spot in two-WR sets and earns targets with his short-range, PPR-friendly skill set. He’d also need Daniels to remain healthy and regain his rookie-year efficiency.

Risk Factors

Can Williams prove ready right away? Over the past 10 seasons, only 10 of 210 WRs drafted in Round 3 or later have reached 600 receiving yards as rookies. Only eight have hit 50 catches. 

The most likely outcome has Williams settling in as a role player rather than an offensive focal point, making it tough for him to become a fantasy standout.

Chigoziem Okonkwo

2025 Role & Results

Career Highs Don’t Add Much for Fantasy

Okonkwo set career highs with 56 catches and 560 yards. He added just 2 TDs for the second consecutive season.

That left him 30th in PPR points per game and 32nd in half-PPR. Okonkwo flashed with finishes of TE5, TE6, TE8, and TE12 twice, but he also logged 11 weeks at TE20 or worse.

Okonkwo Wasn’t a Factor Near the Goal Line

Okonkwo played ahead of Round 4 rookie Gunnar Helm, holding the edge in route rate (57.9% to 37.5%) and target share (13.6% to 10.1%).  

But low goal-line volume capped his TD chances, as he trailed Helm in both red-zone targets (8-5) and end-zone targets (4-1).

The Efficiency Metrics Showed His Ability in Space. But That’s About it.

Okonkwo’s efficiency profile was mostly underwhelming.

Among 49 TEs with 30+ targets, he ranked:

• seventh in missed tackles forced per reception
• 12th in yards after catch per reception
• 28th in yards per route run
• 28th in yards per reception
• 35th in catch rate

The Titans Lacked Quality Receivers

Tennessee badly needed pass catchers last season, especially after Calvin Ridley was limited to seven games. Round 4 rookie Elic Ayomanor wound up leading the team in receiving, followed by Okonkwo and fellow Round 4 rookie Chimere Dike.

Rookie Cam Ward played all 17 games but wasn’t a difference maker. Among 42 QBs with 150+ attempts, he ranked 35th or worse in completion rate, completion rate over expected, and yards per attempt.

The Titans finished 12th in pass attempts but fell to 30th in passing yards and 31st in passing TDs. 

Durability Remained a Positive

An October foot injury cost Okonkwo practice time, but he appeared in all 17 games for the fourth straight season.

2026 Opportunity & Projection

There’s a Chance He Fills the No. 2 Role

The Commanders signed Okonkwo to a three-year deal with $16.7 million guaranteed. That amount ranks 15th among all TEs.

Washington’s depth chart gives Okonkwo a shot at a fantasy-friendly role. Terry McLaurin is the clear No. 1, but the WR room behind him is unsettled between Round 3 rookie Antonio Williams and veterans such as Treylon Burks, Dyami Brown, and Van Jefferson.

TE competition also looks light after Zach Ertz left behind 72 targets in 13 games. Okonkwo’s main competition there is third-year TE Ben Sinnott, who’s notched just 16 catches in two seasons. 

Jayden Daniels is a Huge Upgrade

Injuries ruined Jayden Daniels’ 2025, with elbow, hamstring, and knee issues all costing him games. But his stellar rookie campaign in 2024 points to a major QB upgrade for Okonkwo. Among 28 QBs with 300+ attempts that year, Daniels ranked sixth in catchable-throw rate and eighth in adjusted completion rate.

Outside of Ward, Okonkwo’s first four seasons found him catching passes from Ryan Tannehill, Malik Willis, Josh Dobbs, Will Levis, Mason Rudolph, and Brandon Allen. So Daniels doesn’t need to perform at an elite level to supply an upgrade.

Early Buzz on the New OC

The Commanders promoted assistant QBs coach David Blough to OC. He’s never called plays, but he’s built early trust in Okonkwo.

"So far, there's been so many more opportunities I've had to just run different things … and use my true talents and abilities," Okonkwo said. "It's awesome, man. I can't wait."

Okonkwo also hinted that Blough wants to feature him more on catch-and-run opportunities.

"I feel like a player like me who's really good with the ball in his hands is going to enjoy this offense.”

The Commanders should look different schematically, shifting from an up-tempo, shotgun-heavy offense to more under-center and play-action concepts. Our projections put Washington at a 52% pass rate, just above last year’s 51.1%. Still, that would have ranked 29th in 2025. 

A lower-volume approach would put a greater importance on Okonkwo’s efficiency, as well as his ability to boost a low career TD rate of 4.1%.

Paths To Ceiling

Washington doesn’t have an established No. 2 target, giving Okonkwo room to claim that role. His after-catch ability fits screens and quick-hitters if Blough chooses to feature him that way. Add a healthy Daniels supplying the best QB play of Okonkwo’s career, and the former Titan could emerge as a useful streamer.

Risk Factors

Okonkwo entered the league as a Round 4 pick and hasn’t finished better than TE20 in PPR points across four seasons. His surroundings haven’t supported a breakout, but we simply haven’t seen more than glimpses of TE1-level play. There’s a chance he remains a role player, even if Washington’s receiving depth looks shallow behind Terry McLaurin.