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Antonio Gibson Antonio Gibson Competition for carries increases
Thu, May 5, 2022, 11:04 AM
Coach Ron Rivera said Thursday he hopes Gibson and rookie third-round pick Brian Robinson will operate as a "potential 1-2 punch," Grant Paulsen of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Rivera likened the new backfield tandem of Gibson and Robinson to Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams, who operated as a formidable duo during his time as the Panthers' head coach. Gibson was already primed have his receiving upside limited by pass-catching complement J.D. McKissic, who opted to stick around in Washington, and it now looks like he isn't a complete lock to dominate the bulk of work between the tackles. While Gibson remains entrenched atop the depth chart, having rushed for 1,037 yards and seven touchdowns through 16 games last year, his fantasy outlook will take a notable hit if Rivera indeed deploys a three-headed backfield committee for the 2022 season. |
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Alex Erickson Alex Erickson Signs with Washington
Wed, May 4, 2022, 12:09 PM
The Commanders signed Erickson on Wednesday.
Analysis: Erickson caught just three of four targets for 55 yards across 17 appearances with the Panthers last season, but he has proven to be a reliable punt returner during his first six NFL seasons. Washington also has Dax Milne and Curtis Samuel (hamstring) as potential punt-return options to replace DeAndre Carter, who signed with the Chargers this offseason. However, Erickson has the most experience, which will likely make him the favorite to win the gig heading into training camp. |
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Curtis Samuel Curtis Samuel Looks 'really good' during workouts
Mon, Apr 25, 2022, 1:44 PM
Commanders head coach Ron Rivera said Monday that Samuel (hamstring) looks "really good" during workouts so far, Pete Hailey of NBC Sports Washington reports.
Analysis: Samuel signed a three-year, $34.5 million contract ahead of the 2021 campaign, but he battled a lingering groin injury from the summer through the fall and later added a hamstring issue after a brief return to action Weeks 12-14. In total, he played 84 offensive snaps across five games, catching six of nine targets for 27 yards while rushing four times for 11 yards during his first campaign with Washington. After an injury-plagued start to his Commanders career, it appears the 25-year-old wideout could be healthy to start the 2022 campaign. It's important to note that Washington hasn't done any football activities yet during its voluntary offseason workouts, but Rivera said he's received positive news from trainers and added, "When you see him moving around, you feel pretty confident about him." |
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Terry McLaurin Terry McLaurin Contract talks ongoing
Mon, Apr 25, 2022, 1:35 PM
Washington general manager Martin Mayhew said Monday that the organization is in ongoing talks with McLaurin and his agent about a possible contract extension, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.
Analysis: McLaurin currently is with the team, but he isn't participating in any voluntary on-field workouts this offseason. Mandatory minicamp doesn't start until mid-June, so the two sides have some time to figure out a deal, but it's possible the wideout could continue to hold out until an extension is signed. The acquisition of Carson Wentz -- who's owed $28 million in 2022 -- has hindered Washington's moves and likely has been at least part of the reason McLaurin hasn't signed an extension yet. Regardless, Mayhew said, "We're really excited about the opportunity of having Terry continue with us for a long time," so it appears there are no intentions of trading the fourth-year wideout ahead of the draft. Commanders head coach Ron Rivera added that the team's draft process won't be impacted by McLaurin's ongoing situation. |
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Terry McLaurin Terry McLaurin Joining team but won't practice
Mon, Apr 18, 2022, 2:10 PM
McLaurin isn't expected to participate in on-field work this offseason, but he will be at the Commanders' team facility Tuesday, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.
Analysis: At this point in mid-April, workouts are voluntary and don't include much on-field work, if any. The bigger question will come later this spring when the team has mandatory minicamp (June 14-16) a week after the conclusion of OTAs. McLaurin will take part if he signs an extension before then, while he could opt to hold out if contract discussions are ongoing or stalled. The 2019 third-round pick is entering the fourth and final year of his rookie contract, averaging 74 catches for 1,030 yards and 5.3 TDs per season so far. McLaurin will work with a new QB again in 2022, with the Commanders trading for Carson Wentz and likely dropping Taylor Heinicke back to the second spot on their depth chart. |
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Kyle Allen Kyle Allen Won't be tendered by Washington
Thu, Mar 10, 2022, 1:58 PM
Allen isn't in line to receive a contract tender from the Commanders, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.
Analysis: Allen earned a roster spot as Washington's backup quarterback in 2021, but he made just two appearances and completed 12 of 19 passes for 120 yards and a touchdown. He'll be free to sign with any other team starting next week after the Commanders acquired Carson Wentz from the Colts on Wednesday. |
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Taylor Heinicke Taylor Heinicke Backup role on tap
Wed, Mar 9, 2022, 3:08 PM
With Carson Wentz set to be traded from the Colts to the Commanders, Heinicke is in line to serve as Washington's No. 2 QB in 2022, Ben Standig of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Heinicke recorded a 7-8 record in his 15 starts last season after after taking over at QB for Ryan Fitzpatrick, who injured his hip in Week 1. However, based on the team's pending move to trade draft picks for Wentz, Heinicke is now in line to revert to a backup role in 2022. |
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Carson Wentz Carson Wentz Bound for Washington
Wed, Mar 9, 2022, 12:58 PM
The Colts agreed Wednesday to trade Wentz and their 2022 second-round pick to the Commanders in exchange for Washington's 2022 second-round picks as well as third-round picks in 2022 and 2023, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Per Schefter, Washington will pay the full $28 million owed to Wentz in 2022, while the 2023 third-round selection will become a second-round pick if the quarterback plays at least 70 percent of Washington's offensive snaps during the upcoming season. The trade won't become official until after the start of the new league year March 16, but barring any hangups in Wentz's physical, the 29-year-old becomes the latest high-profile signal-caller to change teams in the early stages of the offseason. Wentz should immediately supplant Taylor Heinicke as Washington's No. 1 quarterback in 2022, following a one-year stint in Indianapolis in which he completed 62.4 percent of his passes for 3,563 yards and a 27:7 TD:INT while starting the entire 17-game slate. |
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John Bates John Bates Finishes year with key role
Thu, Jan 13, 2022, 9:04 AM
Bates finished his 2021 rookie campaign with 20 catches for 249 yards and a touchdown on 25 targets, starting eight of 17 games.
Analysis: The fourth-round pick never missed a game, but it wasn't until Week 10 that he saw more than 17 snaps or one target in a contest. From that point on, he played over half of Washington's snaps in each game, averaging 2.0 catches for 26.4 yards on 2.6 targets over the final nine games of the season. Bates may fall back to a reserve role in his second year, however, as Logan Thomas' season-ending ACL injury was a big factor in the rookie taking so many snaps. That could leave Bates as Washington's No. 1 TE for the offseason program, if nothing else, depending on the team's transactions this spring. Plus, the timing and severity of Thomas' injury mean he's no lock to be ready for Week 1 of 2022. |
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Dyami Brown Dyami Brown Disappointing debut campaign
Thu, Jan 13, 2022, 7:59 AM
Brown finished his 2021 rookie season with 12 catches for 165 yards on 25 targets, playing 15 of 17 games and logging 335 snaps on offense.
Analysis: The third-round pick started his first three games and five of his first six, yet entered the midpoint of the season with only eight catches for 81 yards. Brown then averaged only 11.2 snaps on offense over his final 10 games, stuck in a bench role even as Washington had minimal success finding productive pass catchers apart from top WR Terry McLaurin. While the 22-year-old Brown could get another shot at a starting job come spring/summer, there's no doubt his initial pro campaign was disappointing relative to the expectations and opportunity he had. Of course, he might've been given more time to develop -- rather than named as a Week 1 starter -- if Washington's passing offense wasn't so unimpressive in the first place. |
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DeAndre Carter DeAndre Carter Enjoys solid, versatile campaign
Thu, Jan 13, 2022, 7:54 AM
Carter played all 17 games fo Washington in 2021, catching 24 of 44 targets for 296 yards and three touchdowns, and adding 16 punt returns for 134 yards and 36 kickoff returns for 904 yards and a fourth TD.
Analysis: Carter bounced around from Houston to Philadelphia to Chicago from 2018-20, with this being just the second time he's spent the full season with one team. He even had a stretch as Washington's No. 2 receiver, which lasted about a month and a half before he moved back to a special-teams and reserve role over the final few weeks of the season. Carter is a late bloomer who made his first regular-season NFL appearance at 25, and he'll turn 29 in April about a month after he's scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent. If nothing else, Carter should draw interest as a return specialist and No. 4/5 receiver. |
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Kyle Allen Kyle Allen Barely plays in 2021
Wed, Jan 12, 2022, 12:39 PM
Allen made two appearances during the 2021 campaign, completing 12 of 19 passes for 120 yards and a touchdown for Washington.
Analysis: Allen came back from last year's broken leg and earned a spot on the team as the No. 3 quarterback, then quickly rose to No. 2 on the depth chart after Ryan Fitzpatrick injured his hip Week 1 and didn't return for the rest of the season. No matter, Allen barely ended up playing, with Taylor Heinicke enjoying a healthy season under center, though his performance was less than stellar, especially toward the end. Allen is scheduled for restricted free agency in the offseason, and presumably will be viewed as a backup whether he stays in Washington or ends up elsewhere. Heinicke, meanwhile, is signed through 2022. |
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Alex Armah Alex Armah Signs new deal with Washington
Tue, Jan 11, 2022, 4:13 PM
Washington signed Armah to a reserve/future contract Tuesday.
Analysis: The fullback will return to Washington for another season in 2022 after joining the team partly through the 2021 season. Armah appeared in 11 games this season between the Saints and Washington, operating mostly as a special-teams option. |
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Jonathan Williams Jonathan Williams Agrees to contract extension
Tue, Jan 11, 2022, 4:07 PM
Washington signed Williams to a contract extension Tuesday.
Analysis: The running back will remain with the team through the 2022 season. Williams appeared in five games in 2021, turning 17 carries into 79 rushing yards and a score while also reeling in four catches for 28 yards. |
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Jaret Patterson Jaret Patterson Returns to backup role
Sun, Jan 9, 2022, 10:59 PM
Patterson rushed six times for 21 yards and brought in both targets for 14 yards in Washington's 22-7 win over the Giants on Sunday.
Analysis: Patterson was back in a complementary role with Antonio Gibson available Sunday, a week after posting 98 total yards against the Eagles. The rookie showed some promise in limited action in 2021 by rushing for 266 yards and adding another 73 through the air on 11 receptions, and he appears set to compete for a potentially larger role behind Gibson in training camp this summer. |
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Taylor Heinicke Taylor Heinicke Lackluster numbers in finale
Sun, Jan 9, 2022, 6:18 PM
Heinicke completed nine of 18 passes for 120 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions and rushed twice for three yards in Washington's 22-7 win over the Giants on Sunday. He also committed a fumble that was recovered by the offense.
Analysis: Heinicke finished with absolutely pedestrian numbers, but going up against a Jake Fromm-led Giants squad, they proved to be more than enough. The Old Dominion product also got help from his defense, which recorded a pick-six. Heinicke appeared to be making a strong case to serve as the team's long-term answer under center at one point after taking over for Ryan Fitzpatrick (IR-hip) in the opener, but he subsequently introduced plenty of doubt into the equation by throwing for under 200 yards in four of his last five games and also tossing six interceptions in the final six contests as well. Despite the rocky finish to the campaign, Heinicke is on the books for a manageable sub-$3 million figure in 2022, so he'll almost certainly be in the quarterback conversation come training camp while battling a likely offseason addition or two. |
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Terry McLaurin Terry McLaurin Closes out season strong
Sun, Jan 9, 2022, 5:16 PM
McLaurin brought in four of six targets for 93 yards in Washington's 22-7 win over the Giants on Sunday.
Analysis: The speedster easily paced Washington in receptions, receiving yards and targets to finish off the season with a second straight impressive performance. McLaurin generated an 11-154 line over the last two contests, and Sunday's production vaulted him over the 1,000-yard mark (1,053) for the second consecutive season. There's no questioning McLaurin's game-breaking ability, with the spotty quarterback play he's endured thus far in his first three seasons being the only factor seemingly putting a cap on him elevating to the elite tier of receivers in both a football and fantasy sense. |
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Antonio Gibson Antonio Gibson Spectacular finish to season
Sun, Jan 9, 2022, 3:26 PM
Gibson rushed 21 times for 146 yards and a touchdown and brought in one of three targets for five yards in Washington's 22-7 win over the Giants on Sunday.
Analysis: The second-year back topped off the campaign with a spectacular showing, putting himself comfortably over the 1,000-yard mark in the process. Gibson was one of the few bright spots during a profoundly disappointing second half for Washington, as he gained 88 yards or more on the ground in three of the last six contests. If the Football Team upgrades at quarterback via free agency, trade or the draft, Gibson could be in line for a true breakout 2022 while operating in what would be a more balanced attack. |
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Kyle Allen Kyle Allen Might have Week 18 role
Sun, Jan 9, 2022, 11:20 AM
Washington head coach Ron Rivera didn't close the door on the possibility of Allen having a role in the game plan behind starter Taylor Heinicke in Sunday's contest against the Giants, Ethan Cadeaux of NBC Sports Washington reports. "We'll start off with Taylor, then we'll go from there," Rivera said.
Analysis: Prior to Week 17, Rivera suggested that Allen would "probably" play behind Heinicke in both of the final two games of the regular season. That didn't come to fruition in the 20-16 loss to the Eagles last week, as Heinicke played all 61 of Washington's snaps on offense. Rivera could be more open to getting Allen some work in the season finale, but it may first take a poor showing from Heinicke early in the contest for the coach to turn the offense over to the backup quarterback. Allen's only two appearances this season have both come against the Cowboys in Week 14 and 16. On the first occasion, Heinicke missed a few plays with an injury, and on the second, Washington was resting him after the game turned into a blowout. |
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Alex Armah Alex Armah Bumped up from practice squad
Sat, Jan 8, 2022, 7:48 PM
Armah was elevated from the Washington practice squad Saturday.
Analysis: Armah has appeared in 10 games this season, but just one with Washington. Starting the season with the Saints, Armah was waived on Nov. 30 and signed to Washington's practice squad on Dec. 2. Armah will likely provide depth in the backfield and work on special teams Sunday against the Giants. |
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