September 5, 2025
Washington Commanders veteran tight end
Zach Ertz returns for a second season with the team, looking to remain a reliable target for young quarterback
Jayden Daniels in Week 1 against the Giants. Ertz turned back the clock a bit in his age-34 season, racking up 66 catches for 654 yards and scoring seven touchdowns. His efficiency in particular rebounded significantly, with his 7.2 yards per target being the highest in a season since 2018. He served as a safety blanket for his young quarterback, consistently getting open in the red zone and on third downs. Ertz has spoken incredibly highly of Daniels since they've been together, comparing him to his former Stanford teammate, Andrew Luck. The ceiling isn't very high for Ertz in fantasy this season, but he is a safe and projectable option to pair with an upside bet at tight end late in drafts. He should be viewed as a low-end TE1 for the season opener on Sunday.
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
September 5, 2025
Washington Commanders wide receiver
Deebo Samuel Sr. will make his team debut on Sunday against the Giants after spending six seasons in San Francisco. Samuel pairs up with
Terry McLaurin as the team's wide receiver tandem, both players drafted on day two of the 2019 NFL Draft. Samuel is coming off a much-discussed down last season with the 49ers, catching 51 balls for 670 yards while adding 136 yards on 42 carries and scoring four total touchdowns. He wasn't quite as dominant after the catch as he had used to be and had easily his worst production as a runner. But it's also important to remember that he was diagnosed with pneumonia during Week 6 of the season. Before that, Samuel was still very productive lined up outside and from the slot. Now paired with a rising star at quarterback in
Jayden Daniels and perhaps the next best offensive mind to utilize his strengths in Kliff Kingsbury, Samuel could be primed for a dynamic bounce-back season. His connection with Daniels has been on display all camp, and he could be relied on more if McLaurin takes a bit to get ramped up. Samuel should be viewed as a WR3 with upside for Week 1 against the Giants.
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
September 5, 2025
Washington Commanders wide receiver
Noah Brown has been managing a knee injury that he sustained back during training camp, but is all set to play in Week 1's matchup against the Giants. Brown has been receiving veteran rest days consistently throughout training camp to ensure that he is healthy for the season. He was limited in practice both Wednesday and Thursday before showing up as a DNP in practice on Friday. Head coach Dan Quinn labeled it as a rest day for the veteran receiver and said that everyone should be good to go on Sunday. Brown signed in Washington following being waived by the Texans during roster cuts last year, and then ended up signing a one-year extension in Washington after carving out a role as their second outside receiver. He led the team in total receiving yards in the two games against the Giants last season, catching nine passes for 116 yards. Brown again projects to be the team's primary outside wide receiver opposite
Terry McLaurin, but likely won't be relevant for fantasy purposes against the Giants.
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
September 5, 2025
Washington Commanders wide receiver
Terry McLaurin is ready to roll for the season opener at home against the Giants after finally reaching an agreement with Washington on a three-year, $96 million extension. The deal was signed less than two weeks before Week 1, allowing McLaurin ample time to ramp up and get in proper conditioning for Kliff Kingsbury's up-tempo offense. He's coming off his best season as a pro, catching a franchise record 13 touchdowns. The 29-year-old receiver will immediately get back on page and make up for lost time with rising quarterback
Jayden Daniels, something the second-year signal caller isn't concerned about. "I don't think it [chemistry] ever leaves," said Daniels when asked if he is confident that his connection with Terry McLaurin can pick up where it left off. McLaurin was relatively quiet in two meetings against the Giants last season, totaling eight receptions for 41 yards, but he found the endzone twice in the second game. For his career, McLaurin has always played well against them, averaging six receptions for 75 yards and scoring five touchdowns in 11 games. He projects as a mid to high-end WR2 for Week 1, always with the potential for a long score.
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
September 5, 2025
Washington Commanders quarterback
Jayden Daniels is set to begin his sophomore season in Week 1 against the Giants after winning the Offensive Rookie of the Year award and leading his team to the NFC Championship game. Daniels typically comes off the board as QB3 in the third-to-fourth round of fantasy drafts, behind perennial MVP candidates
Lamar Jackson and
Josh Allen. He is viewed in high esteem for good reason after the season he had. The LSU product joined 2024 Lamar Jackson as the only quarterbacks in NFL history to throw for at least 3,500 yards and rush for at least 800 yards in a season. With significant additions to the offense like Laremy Tunsil and
Deebo Samuel Sr., and another year with the same offensive coaching staff, Jayden Daniels is primed to ascend even higher in 2025 and has the ability to break fantasy. Last season, the Giants' defense ranked middle of the pack in fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks. The defense projects to be much better this season with an incredibly stout defensive line after drafting Abdul Carter third overall, as well as an improved secondary after signing veterans Jevon Holland and Paulson Adebo in free agency. Daniels is an obvious must-start in the season opener.
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
September 4, 2025
Washington Commanders head coach Kliff Kingsbury acknowledged the preseason "hype train" for rookie running back
Jacory Croskey-Merritt leading into the 2025 regular season during a press conference on Thursday. Kingsbury also mentioned that he has a lot of respect for Croskey-Merritt's journey from being a practice-squad player to making it to the NFL. "He can't get enough," Kingsbury said. The 24-year-old's love for football has catapulted him to potentially having a big role in Washington's backfield in his rookie season. However, the Commanders listed him as the RB4 on their first unofficial depth chart of the year in what is shaping up to be a full-blown committee involving JCM,
Austin Ekeler,
Chris Rodriguez Jr. and even
Jeremy McNichols. Ekeler is probably the safest flex play in PPR leagues in Week 1 against the Giants, but it's a dicey fantasy situation right now.
--Keith HernandezSource: Commanders.com - Zach Selby
September 3, 2025
Washington Commanders running back
Austin Ekeler was once again deployed as the team's RB1 during practice on Wednesday. During a QB/RB drill, JP Finaly of NBC4 reported that Ekeler was given the first opportunity, while seventh-round rookie
Jacory Croskey-Merritt followed him.
Jeremy McNichols and
Chris Rodriguez Jr. followed behind him as the third and fourth running backs. Earlier in the week, Ekeler was listed first on the team's depth chart, and his usage during Wednesday's practice seems to solidify his role as the lead option. During his debut season in Washington, Ekeler served as the primary pass-catching back, but was still very effective on the ground, posting a 4.8 YPC. Given his projected role, Ekeler carries RB2 upside in PPR leagues and strong flex value in standard formats facing the New York Giants in Week 1.
--Andy SmithSource: JP Finlay
September 3, 2025
Washington Commanders running back
Chris Rodriguez Jr. was deployed as the No. 4 option during the team drills on Wednesday. According to JP Finaly of NBC4, during a QB/RB drill, Rodriguez was the fourth running back to take the field. Veteran
Austin Ekeler continued to slot in as the top option while
Jacory Croskey-Merritt and
Jeremy McNichols served as the No. 2 and No. 3 options. This situation is worth closely monitoring as Rodriguez was initially listed as the third option on the depth chart earlier in the week, but appears to have been jumped by the seventh-round rookie, Croskey-Merritt. Last season, Rodriguez had a limited role in the offense but showed potential at times, posting a strong 4.9 YPC. Given his unknown role in the season opener, he is best left for deeper 14+ team formats as a high-risk flex option.
--Andy SmithSource: JP Finlay
September 3, 2025
Washington Commanders wide receiver
Noah Brown (knee) was listed as a limited participant on the Wednesday on the team's first injury report of the year, according to Dan Salomne of Giants.com. Brown was injured all the way back in June in minicamp, but now we know he's been tending to a knee injury. It's good news that he's practicing at all, but he might have to get in a full practice the next two days to avoid a questionable tag heading into the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday against the division-rival New York Giants. Now that
Terry McLaurin is no longer holding out, the 29-year-old Brown won't be a realistic starting lineup option in fantasy if he's active this weekend after the addition of
Deebo Samuel Sr. to the offense. He is competing primarily with
Luke McCaffrey for Washington's WR3 role in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: Giants.com - Dan Salomne
September 3, 2025
Washington Commanders rookie running back
Jacory Croskey-Merritt was seen working as the No. 2 running back during team drills on Wednesday, according to JP Finaly of NBC. This is an excellent sign for the seventh-round rookie as he was listed fourth on the team's depth chart earlier in the week. During these QB/RB drills, Croskey-Merritt was deployed behind the presumed starter,
Austin Ekeler, while
Jeremy McNichols and
Chris Rodriguez Jr. were deployed as the No. 3 and No. 4 options. Fantasy managers should continue to keep a close eye on this backfield throughout the early part of the season. Earlier in August, the Commanders opted to trade their top running back from last season,
Brian Robinson Jr., to the San Francisco 49ers. In the preseason, Croskey-Merritt has looked very impressive and continues to make a case to open the season in the starting role. For now, the Arizona product figures to be a risky RB3 in Week 1 as his role has yet to be defined.
--Andy SmithSource: JP Finlay
September 2, 2025
Washington Commanders running back
Austin Ekeler is listed as the team's lead back on their first unofficial depth chart for the 2025 regular season.
Jeremy McNichols is listed as the No. 2, with
Chris Rodriguez Jr. as the third RB and rookie
Jacory Croskey-Merritt as the RB4. This one is hard to pinpoint entering the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday against the division-rival New York Giants. Despite being third and fourth on the depth chart, both Rodriguez and Croskey-Merritt are expected to have big roles in this backfield. However, things are shaping up for a committee approach early on for offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, with Ekeler expected to handle the third-down role. Rodriguez and JCM could split the early downs, with Rodriguez also potentially having the leg up in short-yardage/goal-line situations. It's not an ideal situation for fantasy managers going into Week 1, with none of the RBs being any better than shaky RB3/flex plays.
--Keith HernandezSource: Commanders.com
September 2, 2025
Washington Commanders rookie running back
Jacory Croskey-Merritt is listed as the team's RB4 on their official depth chart. Veteran
Austin Ekeler occupies the top spot while
Jeremy McNichols and
Chris Rodriguez Jr. slot in as the No. 2 and No. 3. The seventh-round rookie out of Arizona was very impressive during the preseason and made a strong case to open the season in a starting role. However, it appears Croskey-Merritt will have to earn a role during the regular season. Earlier in August, the Commanders opted to trade their presumed starter,
Brian Robinson Jr., to the San Francisco 49ers. Robinson took the bulk of the carries last season. Fantasy managers should expect the majority of carries to go to Ekeler and most of the passing work. Rodriguez and McNichols should mix in the short-yadage situations. As a result, Croskey-Merritt will be tough to trust in Week 1 when they face their divisional rival, the New York Giants. However, the Arizona product remains a top high-upside stash as he could earn the starting job later in the campaign.
--Andy SmithSource: Scott Abraham
September 2, 2025
Free-agent wide receiver
Kendrick Bourne is visiting the Washington Commanders on Tuesday after meeting with the San Francisco 49ers on Monday. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, "the framework of a deal is in place for both teams," suggesting a signing could come soon. Washington extended
Terry McLaurin last week, acquired
Deebo Samuel Sr. in March, and still has
Noah Brown and
Luke McCaffrey on the roster. Regardless, the veteran wideout appears poised to land with a team in the near future.
--Nathan HarveySource: Ian Rapoport - NFL Network
September 1, 2025
Josh Taylor of A to Z Sports thinks that Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury is likely to roll out running back
Chris Rodriguez Jr. as the lead back in Week 1 of the regular season on Sunday against the division-rival New York Giants. Rookie
Jacory Croskey-Merritt has gotten a lot of hype this summer, but the Commanders could use a committee backfield approach involving Rodriguez, Croskey-Merritt,
Austin Ekeler, receiver
Deebo Samuel Sr. and quarterback
Jayden Daniels. Rodriguez is an experienced back that has surprising speed in addition to being a power back. He ranked second in 2024 in PFF's elusive rating in fifth in yards after contact. It doesn't mean that Croskey-Merritt won't be a huge factor in 2025, though, and the Commanders haven't had a home run threat like him in a while. Rodriguez is rostered in 6% of Yahoo leagues and is worth watching if you already need RB depth.
--Keith HernandezSource: A to Z Sports - Josh Taylor
August 31, 2025
Washington Commanders running back
Chris Rodriguez Jr. worked on shedding weight to improve his speed this offseason. His efforts have seemingly paid off. The third-year professional, who didn't make the initial 53-man roster in 2024, impressed the Washington coaching staff enough that they were comfortable trading starter
Brian Robinson Jr. According to The Athletic, Rodriguez went from 235 to 222 pounds and ran faster than 20 miles per hour "more times in training camp than I have in almost my whole life." Rodriguez projects to have a role in a three-man running back committee in Washington. Veteran
Austin Ekeler and seventh-round rookie
Jacory Croskey-Merritt round out the trio. Rodriguez may get the fewest opportunities out of the three, but he is worth a late-round fantasy football draft selection to see how the division of labor plays out.
--Andrew BallSource: Nicki Jhabvala - The Athletic
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