Commanders Use 71st Overall Pick on Antonio Williams
The Washington Commanders have selected Clemson wide receiver prospect Antonio Williams with the 71st overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. A four-year contributor at school, Williams had 130 catches, 1,508 yards, and 15 touchdowns over his last two seasons. This selection addresses an area of need for the Commanders. Washington lost Deebo Samuel Sr. in free agency, leaving Terry McLaurin as the team's only fantasy-relevant receiver. The Commanders continue to be linked to 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, but for now, Williams should slot into the No. 2 role behind McLaurin in this Jayden Daniels-led offense. He entered the draft as the overall WR93 in RotoBaller's dynasty fantasy football rankings.
Source: Nicki Jhabvala
Source: Nicki Jhabvala
Sonny Styles Selected Seventh Overall by Commanders
The Washington Commanders have selected Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles with the seventh overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Styles spent his entire four-year college career with the Buckeyes. While he logged only one tackle for loss in his debut campaign, he would begin to find his footing in his sophomore season, tallying 4.5 TFL and 2.0 sacks. In 2024, on the National Championship-winning team, Styles would lead the way, tallying a career-best 6.0 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss. This past season, Styles would conclude his college career with 46 solo tackles, but added just one sack and was named second-team All-American. During the pre-draft process, Styles was credited as one of the top pure tacklers in the class and for having elite range in the open field. Styles will bring a much-needed spark to the Washington defense that allowed 26.5 points per game during the 2025 season.
Source: Ari Meirov
Source: Ari Meirov
Jeremiyah Love Could Unlock Commanders Offense
ESPN's Jordan Reid is mocking Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love to the Washington Commanders in the first round of this year's NFL draft at No. 7 overall. Love is widely considered the best overall prospect in this year's draft class, and he's an explosive playmaker waiting to happen. Reid believes that Love "would unlock multiple layers" of Washington's playbook that they couldn't access in 2025. Adding Love in the backfield would be a huge boost to quarterback Jayden Daniels as he looks to bounce back from an injury-plagued year in his second season in the NFL. Love rushed for 1,372 yards and a whopping 18 touchdowns last year for the Fighting Irish and had 39 runs of 10-plus yards, which was fourth-most in college football. A landing spot in D.C. would make Love quite attractive in both dynasty and redraft leagues in 2025. Other potential landing spots for Love in the top 10 picks in this year's draft include the Cardinals, Titans, and Giants. The Commanders could represent one of the best opportunities for the clear top RB in the 2026 NFL draft.
Source: ESPN.com - Jordan Reid
Source: ESPN.com - Jordan Reid
Is Rachaad White an Offseason Trade Target in Dynasty Leagues?
Washington Commanders running back Rachaad White is trending up in dynasty leagues after his recent change of scenery. Following four seasons in Tampa Bay, White left for the Commanders in free agency. It was an understandable move, as White went from tallying 1,500+ yards in 2023 (RB4 in PPR leagues) to operating as the Bucs' backup running back in 2024 (RB22) and 2025 (RB32). White won't have the backfield all to himself in Washington, but he also won't face the same level of competition that Bucky Irving presented in Tampa Bay. White will use this summer to try to win the lead-back role over Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who was promising in his own regard with 4.6 YPC and eight touchdowns as a rookie last year. Croskey-Merritt was essentially a non-factor in the receiving game last year. That's where White thrives, so at the very least, he should be the primary passing-down back. He'll need to earn the rushing attempts, but that's not such an extreme ask given that he has 4.3 YPC and 13 total touchdowns over the last two seasons. White can be a low-end RB1 in an every-down role. In all likelihood, though, he'll end up as a low-end RB2 or high-end RB3 while sharing some of his volume with Croskey-Merritt. Still, that's a nice boost from his RB32 finish in 2025, so dynasty managers would be wise to send out trade offers for White in anticipation of his bounce-back campaign.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jacory Croskey-Merritt's Year 2 Value Tied to Pick No. 7 in the NFL Draft
Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt was one of the most fun stories heading into the 2025 season, and through the first month of his rookie campaign, the man known simply as "Bill" looked to be making good on all the preseason hype. Playing behind an above-average offensive line, Croskey-Merritt was able to churn out chunk plays at a league-leading level, averaging 11.6 fantasy points per game through Week 5 despite minimal usage in the passing game. Unfortunately, the big plays eventually dried up, and Croskey-Merritt finished the year as RB31, working in almost a true 50/50 split with Chris Rodriguez Jr. by the end of the season. The Commanders have since replaced Rodriguez with Rachaad White, which could be viewed as a win for Croskey-Merritt managers, as White's greatest contributions have come catching the ball, a market that Croskey-Merritt was never going to own. However, Washington is one of the teams picking in the top 10 of the upcoming NFL Draft that has been tied to Notre Dame prospect Jeremiyah Love. Should he become their pick on Day 1, Croskey-Merritt would be relegated to little more than change-of-pace duty. If the Commanders opt to go in a different direction, or if Love has already been selected by the time they're on the clock, Croskey-Merritt, who is currently RotoBaller's dynasty RB44, could still provide value as a low-end RB2 or flex play.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chig Okonkwo Could Still Be Undervalued Despite Calls for a Breakout
Even before signing a three-year, $27 million contract with the Washington Commanders, tight end Chig Okonkwo was a popular breakout candidate as he hit free agency after four promising seasons with the Tennessee Titans. Despite never finishing higher than TE22 in Half-PPR formats, Okonkwo's 4.52 speed and ability to gain yards after the catch are rare for the position, and many fantasy managers were banking on an improved situation where his skills could be put on display with regularity. He appears to have found that with the Commanders. When quarterback Jayden Daniels was fully healthy in 2024, his 78.2% on-target throw rate ranked 12th in the league as a rookie. Okonkwo never saw a quarterback finish inside the top 25 in that regard during his time in Tennessee, but he was still able to top 50 receptions in each of the last three seasons. The Commanders are expected to add pass-catchers in the upcoming NFL Draft, but as it currently stands, the talent gap between eight-year veteran Terry McLaurin and the rest of the room is notable, providing Okonkwo plenty of space to slide in as the secondary option in the passing game. He is currently TE20 in RotoBaller's dynasty rankings, but it's extremely possible he is still being slept on.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Marcus Mariota Set for Backup Role in 2026
Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota saw more playing time than his team probably would have preferred in 2025, thanks to Commanders QB1 Jayden Daniels' myriad injury issues. Across 11 games (eight starts), Mariota completed 61.2% of his pass attempts for 1,695 yards, 10 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. The 32-year-old also impacts the game with his legs, recording 297 rushing yards and a score on 50 attempts. When he gets the chance to play, Mariota's dual-threat ability makes him an appealing streamer option for fantasy managers. Daniels should be fully healthy for the start of the 2026 season, which will relegate Mariota to backup duties. Still, Daniels' considerable injury track record could make Mariota worth rostering as a handcuff quarterback in deep dynasty formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Commanders Host Omar Cooper Jr. for a Pre-Draft Visit
The Washington Commanders hosted former Indiana wide receiver and projected first-round pick Omar Cooper Jr. on a pre-draft visit on Friday, according to the NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Cooper could be a trade-down option for the Commanders, who currently hold the seventh overall pick. The 22-year-old is projected to be taken anywhere from pick No. 13 to pick No. 26 in the first round. He is a skilled slot receiver who can also play on the outside, so his versatility should make him attractive to plenty of receiver-needy NFL teams near the back half of the first round. A landing spot in D.C. would actually be a great spot for Cooper's dynasty/keeper value, as he'd likely immediately become the No. 2 for the Commanders behind Terry McLaurin. Cooper never had a 1,000-yard season in four seasons with the Hoosiers, but he did go out on a high note in 2025 to help Indiana go undefeated and win the national championship, catching 69 passes for 937 yards and 13 touchdowns in 16 games played.
Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
Terry McLaurin the Undisputed Focal Point of Washington's Offense
Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin continues to face minimal competition for volume ahead of the 2026 season. McLaurin finished last year with 38 catches, 582 yards, and three touchdowns across 10 games. Missing seven weeks hurt his fantasy stock, but he made the most of his opportunities when on the field, especially in a low-volume passing offense. Moving forward, the offensive scheme should be McLaurin's only concern. The next receivers on the Commanders' depth chart are Van Jefferson, Treylon Burks, and Luke McCaffrey, so it's not like McLaurin needs to panic about his job. In fact, managers might see him as a buy-low target in dynasty leagues since the Commanders' revamped passing offense could funnel through him. All in all, he's a high-end WR2 with WR1 upside in redraft leagues, and he could be an intriguing buy-low candidate in dynasty formats, given his bounce-back potential.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ben Sinnott's Breakout Might Not Happen in Washington
Washington Commanders tight end Ben Sinnott patiently waited behind Zach Ertz throughout his first two years in the NFL. Even though Ertz is now a free agent, Sinnott isn't going to get his opportunity to break out quite yet. The Commanders signed Chig Okonkwo to be their No. 1 tight end last month, leaving Sinnott as a minimal receiving threat in the No. 2 role. As the No. 2 tight end last year, Sinnott was held to just 11 catches, 114 yards, and one touchdown -- and most of that production came after Ertz went down with a torn ACL. Sinnott lacks standalone value behind Okonkwo and might not even get onto the fantasy radar if Okonkwo misses time. Managers are starting to get pessimistic that Sinnott will ever amount to anything in fantasy football, despite him being a second-round draft pick. There could be a glimmer of hope for dynasty managers if Sinnott ends up on a different team, but he's not projected to hit free agency until after the 2027 season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jayden Daniels Could Benefit from Influx of Young Talent
Following a breakout rookie campaign in 2024, Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels entered his second season surrounded by the oldest roster in the NFL. Perhaps unsurprisingly, injuries largely derailed Washington's 2025 season. With the Commanders now slated to pick seventh in the upcoming NFL Draft, they are in a prime position to add an offensive weapon to a unit in dire need of difference makers outside of Daniels and the 30-year-old Terry McLaurin. The team has been linked to Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love as well as some of the top receivers in the class, and should they add a skill position player with their first pick, Daniels will undoubtedly see his dynasty value spike.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Luke McCaffrey Still Worth Stashing on Dynasty Benches?
When the Washington Commanders spent a third-round pick on former quarterback turned wide receiver Luke McCaffrey in 2024, many fantasy managers feared he may have been over-drafted, but chased the draft capital and spent a late rookie pick on him anyway. Through his first two seasons in the NFL, he's accumulated only 371 yards on 29 receptions, though his usage and production were both on the upswing prior to a season-ending collarbone injury suffered in Week 9. McCaffrey scored the first three touchdowns of his career while averaging 18.5 yards per reception. Between Deebo Samuel and Zach Ertz, Washington looks set to enter 2026 without its two highest target-earners from 2025. While a healthy Terry McLaurin and the recently acquired Rachaad White and Chig Okonkwo will certainly help to fill that vacuum, McCaffrey could settle into a meaningful downfield role. In parting ways with Kliff Kingsbury, the Commanders promoted from within, naming 30-year-old assistant quarterbacks coach David Blough as their new offensive coordinator, meaning McCaffrey will have familiarity with the system and a potential inside track to claim some of those vacated looks.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Rachaad White the New RB1 for the Commanders?
Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White wanted a bigger role in the backfield, which is why he left the Buccaneers in free agency, and he could get his wish in 2026 with the Washington Commanders. The 27-year-old former third-rounder (91st overall) in 2022 out of Arizona State averaged 3.9 yards per carry for 2,656 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns on 677 rushing attempts in his first four seasons with the Bucs. He also added 205 catches for 1,450 yards and 11 receiving touchdowns, so White does have a three-down skill set. The problem for his fantasy value is that the Commanders also signed Jerome Ford, and second-year back Jacory Croskey-Merritt could be pushing for a bigger role in Year 2. At the very least, though, White could be a very useful RB in point-per-reception leagues as Washington's primary pass-catching option out of the backfield as the Commanders' offense looks to bounce back in 2026. Last year in Tampa, White had 132 carries for 572 yards and four touchdowns, adding a career-low 40 catches for 218 yards through the air in 17 games (eight starts). White's dynasty stock should see a slight boost with his move to D.C.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Can Jacory Croskey-Merritt Emerge as the Clear RB1 in Washington?
Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt had a bit of a rollercoaster campaign as a rookie in 2025, finishing the year with 873 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns on 184 touches across 17 games (seven starts). Croskey-Merritt recorded four touchdowns across his first five NFL games, but then cracked 40 rushing yards just once across eight contests between Week 6 and Week 14. Still, Croskey-Merritt closed the year on a tear, recording 255 rushing yards and four scores over the season's final four weeks. Heading into 2026, the 24-year-old should have a chance to emerge as Washington's RB1. However, the Commanders also added veteran backs Rachaad White and Jerome Ford in free agency. At the very least, White and Ford are trusted third-down backs who will prevent Croskey-Merritt from seeing much receiving work in his second NFL season. Croskey-Merritt's clear upside as a rusher provides him with long-term upside for dynasty managers, but it does not appear as though Washington is ready to fully hand him the keys to its backfield in 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chig Okonkwo Instantly Jumping to Fantasy Relevance in Washington?
Washington Commanders tight end Chig Okonkwo could immediately contribute as an appealing fantasy option during his first year with the team. Okonkwo spent his first four seasons with the Tennessee Titans, occupying a modest role in the offense. He consistently finished as the TE21 in PPR leagues each of the last three years. With that being said, in terms of pure stats, 2025 was his best season as he caught 56 of his 79 targets for 560 yards, all career-highs. The Maryland product contributed to the best of his ability in a relatively uninspiring Titans offense. While the Commanders' offense admittedly has some work to do, as well, the presence of quarterback Jayden Daniels and the new-look offensive system under coordinator David Blough could bode well for Okonkwo as he looks to take a major leap. Fantasy managers would love to see him step in and fill the role of Zach Ertz, who finished as the overall TE7 with 654 yards and seven touchdowns as the Commanders' primary tight end in 2024. If Okonkwo can have that level of involvement around the goal line, there's no question that he can be a top-12 fantasy tight end year in and year out. If Daniels stays healthy and the offense operates efficiently in 2026, Okonkwo could end up being one of the biggest steals on fantasy draft night.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
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