Washington Commanders Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

The Commanders are hiring Dan Quinn to be the new HC. Quinn spent the past three years as Cowboys DC. Those teams finished seventh, fifth, and fifth in points allowed after checking in 28th and 11th the two years before he arrived. Quinn spent 2015-19 as HC of the Falcons, going 43-37 over that span with two winning seasons. Atlanta fired him five games into 2020 (with an 0-5 record). As a career-long defensive coach, Quinn shouldn't affect offensive outlooks in Washington with his arrival. We'll see who he brings in to assist on that side of the ball and what the Commanders decide to do at QB. We'd bet they'll select one with the second overall pick in the draft. The Washington defense can only improve after ranking last in both yards and points allowed in 2023.

The Commanders are placing LB Jamin Davis on IR because of a shoulder injury that will require surgery. Davis still has one year left on his rookie contract, and Washington will have to decide this spring on his fifth-year option for 2025. Davis seems like a weak bet for that option, but we'd also bet that decision will come after the team hires a new coach (and maybe GM). Davis has disappointed vs. his first-round draft status but has at least seen his playing time increase in his third season. He's an unspectacular dynasty asset. David Mayo should operate as the No. 2 LB alongside Cody Barton the rest of this season.

The Commanders have fired DC Jack Del Rio in the wake of Thursday's 45-10 loss at Dallas. It's tough to envision any real impact from this move. Washington has struggled at basically every level of the defense all season and traded away two of its best players -- Edges Montez Sweat and Chase Young -- after Week 8. Washington's defense shouldn't be anywhere near your fantasy plans. And the individuals that make sense for IDP use should make sense regardless of who's calling the plays. We'll see if Del Rio's departure -- and/or the unit's recent performance -- leads to any lineup changes.

The Commanders have activated LB Cody Barton (ankle) from IR and left him off the final injury report ahead of today's game against the Cowboys. That means Barton should be ready to reassume his lead position at LB. We've moved him up the Week 12 LB rankings and knocked LB David Mayo out.

The Commanders opened the 21-day practice window Monday for LB Cody Barton. He's been on IR the past four weeks after suffering a high-ankle sprain in October. We'll see how soon Barton can make it back to the active roster. We'd bet on him reclaiming the lead LB role once he does. That makes Barton worth a look on the waiver wire in some leagues this week. Jamin Davis would slip to No. 2 and David Mayo back to a reserve role.

The Commanders are trading Edge Chase Young to the 49ers for a third-round pick. The move comes on the same day Washington sent Edge Montez Sweat to the Bears for a second-rounder. The Commanders had clearly decided they either wouldn't or couldn't re-sign either contract-year player. In Young's case, the team had already declined the fifth-year option on his rookie contract. Young joins a San Francisco defense that likely won't need him to be an every-down player, especially right away. But the 49ers clearly believe their pass rush needs an upgrade. They previously added former Broncos Edge Randy Gregory. We'll see about Young's early role with his new team, as well as whether San Francisco plans to try to keep him around beyond this season.

Multiple reports say the Bears are sending a second-round pick to the Commanders for Edge Montez Sweat. The 27-year-old is working on potentially his best season yet, including 6.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss and 11 QB hits through eight games. Sweat is also in the fifth and final year of his rookie contract. So this level of investment by the 2-6 Bears suggests they're hoping to extend Sweat before he'd hit free agency in March. It's obviously a strong addition for what has been the league's worst pass rush, as well as a big blow to a Washington defense that has stunk against the pass. For IDP purposes, Sweat faces some downside risk. He leaves one of the league's most talented D-lines to join a group that badly needs him. We'll see how quickly Sweat can assume his normal playing time and whether there's any drop-off in pass-rushing production. He'll get a neutral matchup with the Saints (18th in adjusted sack rate) this week before a better spot against Carolina in Week 10 (25th in adjusted sack rate).

The Commanders have ruled LB Cody Barton out for Sunday's game against the Eagles. It's the move we've been expecting after Barton left last week's game with a walking boot on his sprained ankle. Expect a full-time role for Jamin Davis and LB2 duty for David Mayo.

Commanders LB Cody Bardon (ankle) sat out Wednesday's practice. He came away from Sunday's loss to the Giants with a walking boot on the ankle he sprained early in the game. We're betting Barton will miss Week 8 but will keep an eye on his status throughout the week. LB Jamin Davis will likely get full playing time if Barton sits, with David Mayo the next LB up.

Commanders LB Cody Barton left in the first quarter of Sunday's loss to the Giants with a left ankle injury and did not return. The Athletic's Ben Standig reports that Barton was in a walking boot after the game. We'll watch for more on his status, but that all doesn't seem to bode well for Barton's chances of being ready for a Week 8 home date with the Eagles. If Barton misses further time, Jamin Davis looks like the full-time LB, with David Mayo taking on Davis' usual role. That could mean anywhere from 65-90% of defensive snaps, based on Davis' playing time to date and how much Mayo played Sunday.

Commanders Edge Montez Sweat left in the third quarter of Sunday's game against the Falcons after hurting his left thumb. He's questionable to return.

Commanders Edge Chase Young is inactive for today's game against the Cardinals. He was limited in practice all week with a neck injury. We'll see about Young's status heading into Week 2. He's a risk-reward IDP option overall. We're not downgrading the Washington defense for today's high-ceiling matchup with the Cardinals.

The Commanders have agreed to a one-year deal with LB Cody Barton that NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports is fully guaranteed. We don't know how much money yet, and it's likely not a number that locks Barton into a starting role. But there's room for him to earn starter snaps in a defense that might lose LB Cole Holcomb in free agency. Jamin Davis should be the best current bet for full-time snaps among Washington LBs, heading into his third season. Barton didn't play very well in his first starting turn with Seattle in 2022, which is why the team is letting him walk.

The Commanders on Tuesday made DT Daron Payne the first player to get the franchise tag in 2023. Payne demolished his previous high with 11.5 sacks in 2022 -- 6.5 more than he tallied as a 2018 rookie. Payne suggested a bump was coming, though. His QB hits climbed from 8 in 2020 to 15 in 2021 before a career-high 20 this past season. Payne also delivered his two largest tackle totals the past two years, though he didn't crack the top 12 among D-lineman in solos either year. We'd bet on some regression from his DL13 fantasy finish in 2022. Don't prioritize Payne for 2023 IDP leagues or as a dynasty target.

Commanders DT Jonathan Allen left in the 1st half of Sunday's game against the Browns with a knee injury and has been ruled out for the day. We'll see about his status heading into Week 18.

Commanders S Kamren Curl (ankle) is inactive for today's game against the Browns. CB Benjamin St-Juste (ankle) is also out, leaving the secondary without 2 of its top 5 players.

Commanders S Kamren Curl (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Browns. He put in limited practices all week after missing last Saturday's game at San Francisco. Curl will make for a risky IDP play this week if active.

Browns RB Nick Chubb gets a tough matchup in Week 17. The Commanders come in 3rd-best in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs, trailing only San Francisco and New England. Washington has allowed just 2 RBs to reach 80 rushing yards all season: Saquon Barkley, who did so in 1 of 2 meetings; and Derrick Henry, who averaged a mere 3.6 yards per rush in their meeting. Washington's run D has softened lately, according to Football Outsiders DVOA, ranking 30th in that area in 2 games since the team's bye. But they also faced Barkley (2nd time) and the 49ers in those contests. Cleveland, meanwhile, ranks just 24th in total offensive DVOA since QB Deshaun Watson stepped in: 27th passing and just 22nd rushing. That struggling offense won't help draw attention away from Chubb, who has also gone from 5.6 yards per carry before the team's Week 9 bye to 3.96 per rush since.

Commanders S Kamren Curl (ankle) is inactive for today's game against the 49ers. CB Benjamin St-Juste (ankle) is active. EDGE Chase Young (ACL recovery) is also active for the 1st time this year. We wouldn't be putting him into IDP lineups though.

Commanders S Kamren Curl (ankle) is questionable for Saturday's game against the 49ers. We'll check his status that afternoon. CB Benjamin St-Juste (ankle) is also questionable.