The Commanders have a new owner, general manager, head coach, and quarterback, which has fans excited for the future. If you like the analysis here, consider signing up for our free newsletter to get can’t-miss NFL news and insights straight to your inbox every week.
- 2023 finish: 4-13 (last in NFC East); missed playoffs
- Over/under: 6.5 wins
Notable additions
QB Marcus Mariota, RB Austin Ekeler, WR Olamide Zaccheaus, TE Zach Ertz,G Nick Allegretti, C Tyler Biadasz, C Michael Deiter, DE Dorance Armstrong, DE Dante Fowler Jr., DE Clelin Ferrell, LB Bobby Wagner, LB Frankie Luvu, LB Mykal Walker, LB Anthony Pittman, CB Michael Davis, CB Noah Igbinoghene, CB James Pierre, S Jeremy Chinn, HC Dan Quinn, OC Kliff Kingsbury, DC Joe Whitt Jr.
Notable losses
QB Sam Howell, QB Jacoby Brissett, RB Antonio Gibson, WR Curtis Samuel, OL Saahdiq Charles, C Tyler Larsen, DE Casey Toohill, DE James Smith-Williams, LB Cody Barton, LB Khaleke Hudson, S Kamren Curl, HC Ron Rivera, OC Eric Bieniemy
2024 draft class
QB Jayden Daniels (1.02), DT Johnny Newton (2.36), CB Mike Sainristil (2.50), TE Ben Sinnott (2.53), OT Brandon Coleman (3.67), WR Luke McCaffrey (3.100), LB Jordan Magee (5.139), S Dominique Hampton (5.161), DE Javontae Jean-Baptiste (7.222)
Projected starters
QB: Jayden Daniels (R)
RB: Brian Robinson Jr.
WR: Terry McLaurin
WR: Jahan Dotson
WR: Luke McCaffrey (R)
TE: Zach Ertz
LT: Brandon Coleman (R)
LG: Nick Allegretti
C: Tyler Biadasz
RG: Sam Cosmi
RT: Andrew Wylie
DE: Dorance Armstrong
DT: Jonathan Allen
DT: Daron Payne
DE: Dante Fowler Jr.
LB: Bobby Wagner
LB: Frankie Luvu
CB: Emmanuel Forbes Jr.
S: Jeremy Chinn
S: Quan Martin
SCB: Mike Sainristil (R)
CB: Benjamin St-Juste
2024 outlook
A new era in Washington begins this season, and general manager Adam Peters wasted no time remaking the roster with veteran additions such as Austin Ekeler, Zach Ertz, and Bobby Wagner with a focus on establishing a culture that will last for years to come. Peters also added players in their prime with Tyler Biadasz, Dorance Armstrong, Frankie Luvu, and Jeremy Chinn, so the team expects to compete immediately—though left themselves some leeway for what exactly that means in terms of their record.
No. 2 overall pick Jayden Daniels is a big reason many expect the Commanders can push for a playoff spot, but is the offensive line good enough? While the interior should be strong with Nick Allegretti, Biadasz, and Sam Cosmi, there are questions about the tackle spots with third-round rookie Brandon Coleman and veteran Andrew Wylie being the projected bookends, and the last thing the franchise needs is for Daniels to be running for his life and/or getting pummeled in Year 1.
Defensively, we can expect a very aggressive unit under Dan Quinn, and Emmanuel Forbes Jr. showed tremendous playmaking ability at Mississippi State—so hopefully the new coaching staff allows him to play to his strengths and regain his confidence after struggling mightily as a rookie. If Daron Payne plays like he did two seasons ago in a contract year, Jonathan Allen is energized by a new coaching staff, and second-round rookie Johnny Newton makes an impact, the interior defensive line should be able to cause some havoc with the Commanders being built up the middle.
Position battle to watch: No. 3 safety
The starting duo at safety seems to already be settled with Jeremy Chinn and Quan Martin, but Quinn used a bunch of three-safety looks in Dallas—so others will still have a chance to earn a nice role. Darrick Forrest working with the third-team defense to begin training camp is a surprise, so Jeremy Reaves, Percy Butler, and rookie Dominique Hampton are all in contention for meaningful snaps behind Chinn and Martin.
Breakout candidate: WR Jahan Dotson
Despite all the passing the Commanders did in 2023, Dotson was not prioritized by Eric Bieniemy following an impressive rookie campaign, but Jayden Daniels’ preference to throw outside the numbers should allow him to thrive across from Terry McLaurin. In particular, the downfield skillset of Dotson should be highlighted versus routine single coverage, and he showed a nose for the end zone by catching seven touchdowns on 61 targets in 2022.
Circle on the calendar: Week 6 (@ BAL) | Sunday, October 13 – 1:00 PM ET
The opener versus a blitz-heavy Tampa Bay defense is one I’ll really be interested in to see how Jayden Daniels and the offensive line handle it, but if the reigning Heisman winner lives up to expectations early on, Week 6 could be an epic matchup versus Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. A couple of road primetime games (MNF against the Bengals in Week 3 and TNF against the Eagles in Week 11) are also ones that should be circled.
Bottom line
Washington was a popular breakout pick in 2023, but we were one of the few to not buy in at all, and general expectations for the team might be too high again this year. I would say Jayden Daniels staying healthy and proving himself as the franchise quarterback would be considered a successful season for the Commanders, and having balance with Brian Robinson Jr. is their best chance to beat expectations.