RADIO
Ben Sinnott's Dynasty Value Hindered by Free-Agent TE Addition
Fantasy managers holding Washington Commanders tight end Ben Sinnott were hoping that he'd be next in line to replace veteran Zach Ertz (knee) as the team's top pass-catching tight end going into the 2026 season. However, the Commanders signed Chig Okonkwo in free agency (three years for $30 million), and he figures to get the first crack as Washington's TE1 in 2026. Sinnott, the 53rd overall pick in the second round in 2024 out of Kansas State, caught just five passes for 28 yards and a touchdown in 17 games in his first year in the NFL. The 23-year-old only slightly improved on those statistics in Year 2, catching 11 of 13 targets for 114 yards and another TD in 16 games (three starts) last year. With Okonkwo now in D.C., both Sinnott and John Bates will likely be limited to primarily blocking duties, dropping Sinnott's value in both dynasty and redraft formats in 2026. In dynasty formats, Sinnott is all the way down as the No. 55 TE, behind the aging Darren Waller.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Jayden Daniels Still Worth Paying Up for in Dynasty Leagues
One year removed from an Offensive Rookie of the Year-winning season that had him in the conversation as the No. 1 overall asset in superflex dynasty leagues, Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has fallen notably in consensus rankings, often lasting to the 1-2 turn in dynasty startups. Unlike Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, who saw a similar fall from grace after a historic rookie season, most of Daniels' sophomore struggles can be blamed on injuries, both to himself and to his already thin receiving core. Heading into 2026, both Daniels and Terry McLaurin are projected at full health, and the Commanders have surrounded their third-year quarterback with an interesting group of pass-catchers, adding tight end Chig Okonkwo and running back Rachaad White through free agency before spending a third-round pick on slot receiver Antonio Williams. With the offense around him arguably the strongest it's been since coming into the league as the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Daniels current ranking of RotoBaller's QB4 could represent a floor that he may not return to for several years, making him by no means a low-cost buy, but a potentially undervalued one.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jacory Croskey-Merritt Must Make Gains as Pass-Catcher to Take the Next Step
Washington Commanders second-year running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (also known as Bill) came into his rookie campaign in D.C. as a sexy sleeper at the position in 2025, and his path to regular playing time in his first year in the NFL was wide open when veteran Austin Ekeler tore his Achilles early on. The 25-year-old ended up leading the team with 175 carries for 805 rushing yards (4.6 yards per carry) and eight touchdowns in 17 games (seven starts). He didn't contribute much in the passing game, though, with only nine receptions on 13 targets for 68 yards, and he fumbled four times (two lost). JCM was the RB29 in half-PPR scoring, which has to be considered a success after Washington took him in the seventh round in 2025. The 5-foot-11, 208-pounder from New Mexico is a big-bodied, big-play back whose dynasty stock is on the rise going into his sophomore season. However, to take the next step, he'll need to improve as a pass-catcher. If he cannot make strides out wide, the Commanders have both Rachaad White and Jeremy McNichols to contribute in the passing game. With a clear path to RB1 duties, Croskey-Merritt is a dynasty riser as RotoBaller's RB42, and he's considered an RB3/flex in redraft leagues with at least the team's early down role in his grasp.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Could Kaytron Allen Take on a Big Role Right Away?
Washington Commanders running back Kaytron Allen is regarded as one of the biggest steals of the 2026 NFL Draft, and he could have an immediate impact in fantasy football. Allen fell to the sixth round despite setting the all-time rushing yards record at Penn State, where Saquon Barkley played. He had at least 980 scrimmage yards in each of his four seasons at school, and he set career-bests in 2025 with 1,371 scrimmage yards and 15 touchdowns. The 23-year-old was probably going to be a steal wherever he ended up in the draft, but the landing spot in Washington is even more ideal than others. The Commanders lost Chris Rodriguez Jr. in free agency, so Allen should come in and immediately compete with Jacory Croskey-Merritt for a significant workload every week. Croskey-Merritt was a 2025 seventh-round pick who finished his rookie season with 805 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, and we wouldn't be surprised to see Allen follow a similar path from Day 3 pick to rookie standout. Allen currently projects as an early third-round pick in 2026 rookie drafts, but managers shouldn't rule out taking him in the second, especially since he could be a top-36 fantasy running back as a rookie.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Rachaad White Undervalued in Dynasty Leagues Despite a Path to Upside
Washington Commanders running back Rachaad White is being valued as a low-end RB4 in consensus dynasty rankings despite arguably landing in his best situation since finishing as the RB7 in 2023. For the past two seasons in Tampa, White has split the backfield with another capable pass-catcher in Bucky Irving, but upon signing a one-year deal with the Commanders, the dedicated receiving role looks to be entirely his. None of the other backs currently on the roster topped 26 receptions in 2025, and on his way to becoming Penn State's all-time leading rusher, sixth-round pick Kaytron Allen never recorded more than 18 catches in a season. White's 40 receptions in 2025 marked a career low after averaging 55 catches across his first three seasons. He is RotoBaller's dynasty RB35, despite exceeding that finish in each of the last three years, making him a low-cost trade target who should provide a safe weekly floor through target volume alone, while still having a chance to carve out a larger role in a below-average running back room.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chig Okonkwo a Clear Breakout Candidate in Washington
When Commanders tight end Chig Okonkwo agreed to a three-year deal with Washington in the opening days of free agency, he was viewed as one of the biggest winners of the early offseason. With Washington since spending a third-round pick on prototypical slot receiver Antonio Williams, a small amount of shine has come off the landing spot, but the talented fifth-year tight end still walks into the best situation of his young career. Okonkwo has never been on a team with a quarterback throwing for more than 3,200 yards or 15 touchdowns, numbers easily eclipsed as a rookie by 2024 first-round pick Jayden Daniels before injuries derailed his 2025 sophomore campaign. While a soon-to-be-31-year-old Terry McLaurin arguably represents the fiercest target competition Okonkwo has ever faced, the receiver depth behind him still ranks near the bottom of the league, even with the addition of Williams. With Okonkwo operating as the second or third option in what projects to be a highly competent offense, he could easily top his 56 receptions and 560 receiving yards from 2025, numbers that led a hapless Titans offense. At RotoBaller's dynasty TE17, the 26-year-old could still be undervalued with a ceiling capable of putting him just outside the top tiers of pass-catching tight ends.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Marcus Mariota Worth Stashing as an Injury Replacement in Dynasty Leagues?
After appearing in just six games (zero starts) between 2023 and 2024, Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota was pressed into starting duty in 2025 thanks to myriad injury issues for Washington QB1 Jayden Daniels. The veteran Mariota performed adequately, throwing for 1,695 yards, 10 touchdowns, and seven interceptions across 11 games (eight starts). Mariota's fantasy appeal comes from his ability to use his legs, as he rushed for 297 yards and a score on 50 attempts. With Daniels healthy heading into 2026, Mariota should slide back into a backup role. Given Daniels' injury track record dating back to his days in college, dynasty managers may want to consider stashing Mariota in a bench spot. Still, rostering Mariota is a deep-league play at best, as he offers little upside beyond capable QB2 production as he enters his age-33 season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Taylor Heinicke Retiring After 11 Seasons
Veteran quarterback Taylor Heinicke announced his retirement on Thursday through a post on his Instagram page. The 2015 undrafted free agent out of Old Dominion played 11 professional seasons and spent time with eight different teams, including the St. Louis Battlehawks of the XFL. He ends his NFL career with 6,663 passing yards, 42 total touchdowns, and 28 interceptions. Heinicke's last on-field action came in 2024 with the Chargers, while his last start came with the Falcons in 2023. The pinnacle of his career was undoubtedly his 2021 season with Washington, in which he threw for 3,419 yards and 20 touchdowns, good enough for a QB19 fantasy finish.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Terry McLaurin is Well-Positioned to Rebound in 2026
After missing most of the offseason while negotiating a new contract, Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin battled through an injury-marred 2025 campaign. The 30-year-old missed seven contests with a quad injury, finishing the year with 38 receptions for 583 yards and three touchdowns on 60 targets across 10 games. It was a disastrous year for the Commanders' offense overall, which also got just seven games out of star quarterback Jayden Daniels. Still, both McLaurin and Daniels should be healthy and ready to go for the start of 2026. McLaurin also looks like the undisputed favorite to dominate targets in Washington, as the next wide receivers on the depth chart are the unproven Luke McCaffrey and 2026 third-round pick Antonio Williams. Heading into his age-31 season, age-related decline is a concern for McLaurin. However, his strong track record of production and the situation around him in Washington make him an appealing bounce-back candidate in dynasty formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is it Time to Move on From Ben Sinnott?
Washington Commanders tight end Ben Sinnott was a second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and with that draft capital came lofty fantasy expectations. Unfortunately, the third-year player, who showed flashes of dynamism at Kansas State, has yet to top 36 receiving yards in any game while playing mostly behind the almost-36-year-old Zach Ertz. With the Commanders committing nearly $17 million of guaranteed money to Chig Okonkwo on the first day of free agency, Sinnott appears to remain buried on the depth chart. Even with two-time Pro Bowler Terry McLaurin sidelined for much of the season and Washington using heavy personnel at one of the highest rates in the league in 2025, Sinnott was unable to stand out among a group of pass catchers led by a 29-year-old Deebo Samuel Sr., who remains unsigned as the calendar approaches May. With McLaurin expected to return to full health and the Commanders spending a third-round draft pick on Clemson's Antonio Williams, Sinnott is approaching roster-clogging status as dynasty managers look to free up bench spots for the incoming crop of rookies.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jayden Daniels' Supporting Cast in Washington Remains Similar Following NFL Draft
After an electric rookie season in 2024, Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels suffered through a disastrous sophomore campaign in 2025. Knee, hamstring, and elbow injuries limited him to just seven games played. Daniels also saw his efficiency as both a passer and a rusher drop across the board in the games he was healthy for. He averaged just 6.7 yards per pass attempt and 4.8 yards per carry in 2025, down from 7.4 yards per pass attempt and six yards per carry in 2024. Daniels should enter 2026 fully healthy, which obviously improves his odds for a bounce-back year. However, Washington used its lone selection in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft on the defensive side of the ball. While the Commanders did add Clemson wideout Antonio Williams in the third round, they left the offensive line in front of Daniels largely unchanged. Daniels elite dual-threat ability means his dynasty upside remains sky-high. Still, there are question marks around Daniels' supporting cast in Washington heading into his third NFL season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Antonio Williams to See Starting Role on Day 1 in Weak Wide Receiver Room?
Washington Commanders wide receiver Antonio Williams didn't hear his name called until the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, but he could still have a starting role as early as Week 1. The Clemson product had 130 catches, 1,508 yards, and 15 touchdowns over his last two seasons at school. Now, he immediately projects as the Commanders' No. 2 receiver behind Terry McLaurin. That's good enough to get him into the starting lineup right away, assuming Washington doesn't make any other big additions at the position. There's still a chance they could go out and acquire someone like Brandon Aiyuk, but for now, all signs point to Williams having a significant role. Third-round draft capital doesn't usually translate to first-year success in fantasy football, but there are exceptions, especially for receivers with as much projected volume as Williams.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jacory Croskey-Merritt Remains the Top Option in Washington Backfield?
Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt remains atop the depth chart following the 2026 NFL Draft. There was plenty of chatter that Washington might spend a premium pick on a running back, but that never came to fruition. Instead, they waited until the back half of Day 3, selecting Penn State's Kaytron Allen with the 187th overall pick in the sixth round. That's not exactly a big move, and Allen is unlikely to threaten Croskey-Merritt's role within the backfield. To this point, Rachaad White remains the biggest competition for Croskey-Merritt, but even then, it doesn't seem like he's an enormous threat. In all likelihood, Croskey-Merritt will get the bulk of the early-down carries after posting 805 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns as a rookie last year. Meanwhile, White will get more involved on passing downs, plus as a change-of-pace back when Croskey-Merritt needs a breather on early downs. That sentiment is reflected in RotoBaller's latest dynasty rankings, which have Croskey-Merritt slotted in as the overall RB44.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Commanders Take Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis with Pick No. 223
The Washington Commanders have selected Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis with the 223rd overall pick in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Kaliakmanis spent two years at Rutgers after two seasons with Minnesota, and he showed improvement year over year. He completed more than 60% of his passes for the first time in 2025, setting career highs in passing yards and touchdowns. Kaliakmanis has NFL size at 6'2" and 216 pounds, and his improved processing could help him stick on the Commanders roster as a third quarterback behind Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota.
Source: NFL
Source: NFL
Commanders Add Running Back Competition with Kaytron Allen at Pick No. 187
The Washington Commanders have selected Penn State running back Kaytron Allen with the 187th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Washington was one of the teams linked to Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love at the top of the first round, but instead, they addressed the position 180 picks later with the big-bodied Nittany Lion. For four seasons, Allen shared Penn State's backfield with Nicholas Singleton, who went to the Titans in the 5th round. Without possessing the speed or natural athleticism of Singleton, Allen leaned on his vision and physicality to make him the school's all-time leading rusher. He regularly got stronger late in games, leading the FBS with 8.2 yards per carry in the fourth quarter as a senior. In a room featuring Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Rachaad White, and Jerome Ford, Allen has both the experience and ability to earn a meaningful role out of the gate.
Source: NFL
Source: NFL
