Apr 18, 2026, 10:00 AM ET

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.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Apr 18, 2026, 9:14 AM ET

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.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Apr 17, 2026, 4:10 PM ET

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.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Apr 11, 2026, 1:38 AM ET

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.--Keith Hernandez
Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero

Apr 8, 2026, 2:01 AM ET

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.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

Apr 3, 2026, 2:54 PM ET

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.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

Apr 2, 2026, 9:00 PM ET

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.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Mar 29, 2026, 2:38 PM ET

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.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Mar 28, 2026, 7:13 PM ET

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.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Pro Football Reference

Mar 28, 2026, 2:50 PM ET

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.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Mar 28, 2026, 1:12 PM ET

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.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

Mar 27, 2026, 3:07 PM ET

Across 11 games (eight starts) in 2025, Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota completed 65.2% of his pass attempts for 1,695 yards, 10 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. The 32-year-old also remained a productive player with his legs, rushing for 297 yards and a touchdown on 50 attempts. Mariota was forced into more playing time than Washington would have liked in 2025, as star quarterback Jayden Daniels played in just seven games due to knee, hamstring, and elbow injuries. Still, Mariota profiles as one of the better backup quarterback options in the NFL, and the Commanders re-signed him to a one-year deal for the 2026 season in early March. When Mariota gets a chance to play, his dual-threat ability makes him a quality streaming option for fantasy managers, especially in two-quarterback formats. Given Daniels' durability question marks, Mariota should at least be on the radar of deep-league managers entering 2026.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Mar 22, 2026, 12:06 PM ET

The Washington Commanders "would have no reason to hesitate" selecting Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love with the seventh overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic. Washington already has Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Rachaad White in its backfield, but Love is an entirely different breed of running back, offering workhorse potential and massive playmaking ability. He took college football by storm last season, totaling 1,372 rushing yards, 280 receiving yards, and 21 total touchdowns. Given how well he played in 2025, there's no guarantee that Love even makes it to the Commanders at No. 7 overall. If he does, though, it sounds like Washington would be very interested. Depending on his landing spot, Love could be an RB1 in redraft leagues during his rookie season. He has even more value in dynasty leagues, where he's in the conversation to be the 1.01 in rookie drafts.--Andersen Pickard
Source: Nicki Jhabvala

Mar 19, 2026, 6:37 PM ET

ESPN's John Keim writes that the Washington Commanders are still seeking another receiver "who can serve as a No. 2 wideout" opposite Terry McLaurin this offseason. The Commanders did sign backups Dyami Brown and Van Jefferson and also re-signed Treylon Burks, but they still want someone who can be a true No. 2 behind McLaurin, like Deebo Samuel Sr. was last year. An intriguing name that Keim thinks the Commanders could pursue is San Francisco 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) once he's released. The team is aware of Aiyuk's desire to play with quarterback Jayden Daniels, but they likely won't sign him for more than a one-year, prove-it deal after he missed all of the 2025 season. The Commanders could also look to the upcoming NFL draft for another wideout to pair with McLaurin. Neither McLaurin nor Daniels was healthy last year, leading to a disappointing season overall for the franchise. If McLaurin and Daniels stay healthy in 2026, he could be a solid WR2 for fantasy managers, regardless of whether they bring another WR.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - John Keim

Mar 18, 2026, 7:12 PM ET

Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin had his fifth straight 1,000-yard receiving season in 2024 and made his second career Pro Bowl before signing a three-year, $96 million contract with the team last August. The 30-year-old veteran then proceeded to play in a career-low 10 games due to injury, finishing with just 38 receptions, 582 yards, and three touchdowns in his seventh year in the league. His fantasy managers surely weren't happy with the outcome, but he will have a chance to bounce back as a WR2 if he's healthy. Scary Terry should be the unquestioned WR1 in Washington, and with better health for both him and quarterback Jayden Daniels, another 1,000-yard season is certainly possible. McLaurin has relied on big plays over heavy volume, as he's averaged only 4.7 catches per game in the NFL. It makes him more of a boom/bust WR2 target, especially coming off an injury-plagued season. The good news is that new offensive coordinator David Blough seems intent on getting McLaurin more looks in 2026.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Pro Football Reference