Jayden Daniels burst onto the scene in 2024 with a rookie season
for the ages, earning the AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year
award. The stat line is absurd: 3,513 passing yards, 25 passing
touchdowns, and just 9 interceptions, paired with 891 rushing
yards and 6 rushing scores. That’s a dual-threat quarterback
who can pile up elite numbers that rival Lamar Jackson.
Daniels finished as QB5 with 23.7 points per game, but 2025 Daniels
looks even scarier. The Commanders added Deebo Samuel and rookie
speedster Jaylin Lane to a receiving corps that already features
Terry McLaurin.
Kliff Kingsbury’s offense plays to Daniels’ strengths
-- quick decisions, deep shots, and plenty of designed runs. The
O-line held steady last year, and with no major shakeups, he’s
got the protection to keep slinging it. Sure, his run-heavy style
and slender frame carries some injury risk, but he stayed healthy
in 2024, so it’s not a huge red flag.
The guy’s a fantasy superstar and a top-3 QB option, worth
a third-round pick in single-QB leagues. He’s got a real
shot at being the QB1 overall -- don’t sleep on him.
Brian Robinson churned out a decent 2024, landing at RB29 with
11.7 points per game across 14 games. He totaled 738 rushing yards
and 6 touchdowns, but his receiving work tanked -- down to 25
targets from 43 in 2023. Why? Austin Ekeler split the backfield,
and Jayden Daniels, like most athletic QBs, rarely checked down
to his running backs.
Looking forward to 2025, the concerns continue to add up. Deebo
Samuel’s arrival could nibble at Robinson’s carries,
given Samuel’s gadget-play tendencies, and he’s also
a player who specializes in the short passing game. Robinson’s
a classic ground-and-pound back. He’s reliable for rushing
yards and has a knack for finding the end zone, but without those
receiving stats, his ceiling’s limited. He’s a volume
guy who needs touchdowns to pop, making him a better fit for standard
leagues than PPR.
If you’re looking for a steady-but-unspectacular option
who’ll have his moments but won’t carry your team
then Robinson’s your guy. He’s a decent low-end RB2
in standard formats, dropping to a flex in PPR. He’s solid
depth for bye weeks and injury fill-ins, but don’t expect
fireworks.
Austin Ekeler clocked in as RB34 in 2024, averaging 11.0 points
per game over 12 games -- almost identical to Robinson’s
output.
Known as a PPR machine in his prime, Ekeler’s numbers dipped
with Daniels under center, who - like most mobile QBs - doesn’t
lean much on running backs in the passing game. Deebo Samuel’s
added presence threatens to steal even more short-yardage targets,
which stings for a guy who’s thrived on those plays. Still,
Ekeler’s a crafty veteran with enough juice to contribute.
He can handle a change-of-pace role and shine in specific situations
-- like two-minute drills. But his glory days are fading, and
the crowded offense adds risk.
He’s got some PPR flex appeal, but you’re not banking on consistent
RB2 production anymore. It’s a gamble on opportunity over explosiveness,
making Ekeler a late-round RB2 with PPR upside. Grab him as a
bench piece, but don’t expect a return anywhere close to his peak
from a few years ago.
Terry McLaurin crushed it in 2024, finishing as WR7 with 15.9
points per game over a full 17-game slate. He was WR16 in points
per game but jumped up the ranks thanks to his ironman status.
With 117 targets (19th in the NFL), he was a steal last year --
mid-round price, top-tier output. The catch? His draft stock is
soaring now, and Deebo Samuel’s addition might eat into
his volume.
Even so, McLaurin’s the clear cut WR1 here in Washington.
He’s got Daniels’ trust, elite route-running, and
a knack for big plays. Samuel could dilute the target share, but
McLaurin’s too good to fade entirely. He’s a safe
bet for WR2 numbers with occasional WR1 spikes -- think 1,000
yards and eight to 10 touchdowns. Just don’t overpay expecting
another top-10 finish unless the stars align. McLaurin’s
a third-round WR2 with a high floor, but it’s very possible
that his 2024 season will end up being the best of his career.
Deebo Samuel stumbled in 2024 with the 49ers, finishing as WR47
with 11.1 points per game in 14 games. He managed just 51 catches
for 630 yards and 3 touchdowns, plus 42 rushes for 136 yards and
a score.
The 49ers let him walk, which is a warning sign, but landing
with Daniels in Washington could be the reset he needs. He’s
still got that rare run-after-catch spark and positional flexibility.
In 2025, Samuel’s a wild card. If the Commanders deploy
him like the Swiss Army knife he is -- targets, jet sweeps, the
works -- he could thrive.
Unfortunately for Samuel, McLaurin’s the top dog, and rookie
Jaylin Lane
adds another mouth to feed. After a down year, Samuel’s a risk-reward
play: WR3 with WR2 upside if everything clicks. You’re betting
on talent and a fresh start, not past glory.
Zach Ertz rewound the clock in 2024, posting 654 yards and 7
touchdowns to finish as TE11 with 10.2 points per game. After
two quiet seasons, that’s a legit resurgence.
Entering his 13th year, he’s still the Commanders’
go-to tight end, even with Ben Sinnott lurking. Daniels loves
him as a safety net, especially near the goal line. Ertz is a
steady hand in a thin position. He’s not the dynamic threat
he once was, and Sinnott could siphon some snaps, but his chemistry
with Daniels keeps him relevant. Low-end TE1 production is well
within his range of outcomes -- nothing flashy, but enough to
get by. Age is a factor, so don’t expect another leap, but
he’s a safe pick in a sea of tight-end uncertainty. He’s
a great fallback option if you miss the top tier, but he’s
not a game-changer at this point in his career.
