Category: Latest Washington News

As expected Commanders hosting Maye and Daniels next week

The Commanders get some face time with Maye and Daniels next week — one week before the NFL draft.

Well, that didn’t take long.

Just 24 hours ago, Commanders Wire encouraged Commanders fans not to make too much of Tuesday’s announcement that Jayden Daniels would visit the Commanders next week.

Though Adam Schefter, Brian Kelly and Colin Cowherd had all said in the past week that the Commanders were going to draft Daniels, we said, yes, the Commanders may draft Daniels, but those guys don’t actually know whom the Commanders are going to select.

We also declared that Adam Peters would certainly have Drake Maye visit the facility and perhaps J.J. McCarthy as well.

So, Wednesday brought the announcement that North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye will also visit Ashburn next week.

Indeed, Adam Peters, Dan Quinn, and owner Josh Harris have wisely not given any indication to anyone in the media who the Commanders will select with that No. 2 overall selection.

The possibility exists that the three may not only be acting wisely to not publicly declare their intentions. Seeing these three quarterbacks are also receiving such varied evaluations from the draft analysts, could it be that the Commanders trio of Peters, Quinn and Harris honestly, have not yet been able to be in unison regarding the selection?

Perhaps, being undecided, the Commanders are still continuing to do their necessary homework. If that is the case, could it be that this final visit/interview for each next week may be the determining factor in the end?

It’s a huge decision for Quinn and Peters. Just last year, the Panthers took Bryce Young, yet the guy selected next was C.J. Stroud, who had a much better rookie season.

With that in mind, the Commanders may want to conduct one more face-to-face interaction to observe how the young men refer to surprising questions or statements.

Ron Rivera chose Chase Young at No. 2 when quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert were not chosen until the fifth and sixth selections. Rivera never recovered and never obtained the quarterback he needed, either.

 

Adam Schefter says signs still point to Jayden Daniels going to the Commanders

Schefter is not always right. Remember 2021?

Last week, Adam Schefter of ESPN said he believed LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels would be the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft to the Washington Commanders. The preeminent NFL insider didn’t report Daniels was going to Washington, but his wording was interesting.

Schefter said he and others were discouraged from spoiling the picks ahead of time, but signs pointed to Daniels heading to Washington. Again, it was not a report, just a hunch.

Schefter doesn’t often put his name on something that doesn’t end up being true. Remember in January when everyone else assumed Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson would be Washington’s next head coach? But it was Schefter who threw cold water on that notion.

Sure enough, Schefter was right.

On the latest episode of “The Adam Schefter Podcast,” Schefter doubled down on Daniels and the Commanders.

“I will stand behind that,” Schefter said. “The signs continue to point to Jayden Daniels going number 2 to Washington.” 

Schefter said nothing had changed his mind regarding Daniels to the Commanders.

While we should often take what Schefter says to the bank, he’s not always right. Remember in 2021 when the San Francisco 49ers moved up to No. 3 in the draft to select a quarterback? Everyone thought it would be Mac Jones —including Schefter.

It ended up being Trey Lance.

What do these two situations have in common? Current Washington GM Adam Peters was San Francisco’s assistant GM in 2021.

Commanders to host TCU tight end Jared Wiley on top 30 visit

Wiley caught 12 touchdown passes over the past two seasons.

The Washington Commanders released starting tight end Logan Thomas this offseason and signed veteran Zach Ertz to replace him. Ertz joins John Bates, Cole Turner and Armani Rogers as tight ends on Washington’s roster.

Ertz was signed to a one-year deal, meaning the Commanders likely still view tight end as a need heading into the 2024 NFL draft.

Washington brought in Texas tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders on a top-30 visit. Saunders is widely viewed as the second-best tight end in the draft behind Georgia’s Brock Bowers. We can now add another tight end to the Commanders’ visit list.

According to Ryan Fowler of Bleacher Report, TCU tight end Jared Wiley will visit Washington.

Wiley is a 6-foot-6, 249-pound prospect from Temple, Texas, and began his career at the University of Texas. After three seasons in Austin, Wiley transferred to TCU, where he played his final two seasons. In three years at Texas, Wiley had 19 receptions. Over the past two seasons, Wiley caught 71 passes for 765 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Wiley would be a good day-three pick for the Commanders.

Are all signs pointing Jayden Daniels to the Commanders?

Some perspective on all of the Jayden Daniels’ rumors.

Jayden Daniels is comin’ to town.

Tuesday evening, Ben Standig of the Athletic reported that the Commanders are having Daniels come in for a visit on Monday, April 15.

Three big-name personalities have linked Daniels to the Commanders in the last seven days. Colin Cowherd said Monday he had been told the Commanders were going to draft Daniels.

LSU head coach Brian Kelly, when asked about Daniels last week, commented that Daniels will take good care of himself and that, “He’s going to get the ball out to playmakers and make plays for Washington.”

There was also ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter: “I know we are not supposed to spoil picks. We’ll see how the Commanders decide to move forward with the No. 2 overall selection. But a little over a few weeks out, I think the signs continue to point to Jayden Daniels being the second overall pick at number two.”

In addition, is now the report from Standig that Daniels is coming to Ashburn, so Daniels must be the pick, correct?

Not necessarily.

First, Daniels quarterbacked the last two seasons at LSU. Kelly is simply pumping up his guy to be selected high because, in doing so, Kelly is lauding his football program. What is Kelly supposed to say, “Personally, I think Daniels could be the fourth quarterback drafted?”

Schefter told his listeners he was not supposed to spoil the picks, and then what did he do? He told his audience all signs point to Daniels being the pick.

Further, what did Schefter mean, “The signs continue to point to Daniels …?” What signs? What Adam Peters has been saying? No.

What Dan Quinn has expressed? Not at all.

What owner Josh Harris has publicly said about how they feel about Daniels? Certainly not.

Commanders fans need to remember that John Keim, Ben Standig, JP Finlay, Nicki Jhabvala, and Sam Fortier claim the Commanders have provided no evidence toward any particular quarterback.

But Adam Schefter knows?

Schefter wants his audience to “think” he knows, but what did Schefter actually say?

What about Daniels visiting next week?

Well, don’t you think Adam Peters is also going to bring in Drake Maye for a visit? Might he also bring in J.J. McCarthy?

Commanders fans, it’s true; no one in the media “knows” whom the Commanders are going to draft at No. 2 overall.

 

Montez Sweat strongly preferred Washington’s old name

Montez Sweat liked old name, embarrassed by “Commanders” name.

The Washington Redskins selected Montez Sweat in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft. On Oct. 31, 2023, the Washington Commanders traded Sweat to the Chicago Bears for a 2024 second-round pick.

In Sweat’s five seasons with the team, Washington had three different team names because former owner Dan Snyder was forced to sell in the summer of 2020: Redskins, Football Team and Commanders.

In Tuesday’s episode of the “Green Light” podcast with Chris Long, Sweat was asked about Washington’s various names.

He clearly preferred the “Redskins” moniker.

While Sweat is no longer on the team, having signed a lucrative four-year extension with the Bears, he will endear himself to many Washington fans due to his preference for the old name.

As for the new name, Sweat said he was “embarrassed” when he first heard it.

“Oh my god, when I heard that, bro, I was embarrassed,” Sweat said. “I was so embarrassed that when people asked who I played for, I said Washington.”

Several Washington fans would agree with him.

Sweat appeared in 67 games for Washington, recording 222 tackles, including 47 for loss, 35.5 sacks and 10 forced fumbles.

Commanders to host Washington OT Roger Rosengarten on top 30 visit

Roger Rosengarten was a two-year starter for college football’s best offensive line.

We know the Washington Commanders will be heavily involved in the offensive tackle market during the 2024 NFL draft. While the Commanders will likely select a quarterback second overall, they also have two second-round picks and three third-round picks.

The Commanders hosted offensive tackles Jordan Morgan (Arizona) and Kiran Amegadjie (Yale) on top 30 visits. Morgan could go late in the first round or early second round, while Amegadjie will go sometime on day two.

Now, Washington will host another offensive tackle on a top-30 visit.

According to Justin Melo of The Draft Network, the Commanders will host Washington offensive tackle Roger Rosengarten on a pre-draft visit.

Rosengarten, a 6-foot-5, 308-pound redshirt junior, has started the past two seasons for the Huskies at right tackle. Like Amegadjiem, Rosengarten is expected to be drafted sometime on day two. Once all of the top tackles are gone, how high in the second round will Rosengarten go?

The Huskies won the Joe Moore Award in 2023, which is given annually to college football’s best offensive line.

Commanders continue to make important hires under owner Josh Harris

Josh Harris continues to make significant investments in the most important areas of the franchise.

The Washington Commanders made two significant hires on Monday, naming Ryan Juarez as the team’s director of rehabilitation and Jamal Randall Sr. as the team’s senior physical therapist/assistant athletic trainer.

It’s part of owner Josh Harris’s continued effort to beef up the organization’s infrastructure. In addition to hiring Eugene Shen as senior vice president of football strategy late last season, Harris hired Adam Peters as general manager and has made other critical business hires.

Juarez and Randall are important because Washington received failing grades in the NFLPA survey for its training room (F-) and training staff (F). Among the players’ complaints were that the Commanders didn’t have enough trainers or physical therapists. Harris will prioritize these types of hires, as he’s done with his other organizations in the NBA and NHL.

Here’s this from commanders.com:

With the additions of both Juarez and Randall Sr., Washington has formed their new Rehabilitation Unit. This unit is a newly dedicated and streamlined process which will work in collaboration with the performance department and is designed to coordinate the rehab process for injured players in the most effective way possible. This function will play a vital role in return to play decision-making.

Juarez comes to Washington directly from the University of Nebraska, where he served as the director of rehabilitation. Before his time at Nebraska, Juarez spent time at Mercer University, the San Diego Chargers, the San Diego Fleet of the AAF, the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Fresno State football program. 

Randall spent the past seven seasons with the Atlanta Falcons as the athletic trainer and physical therapist.

Formern Commanders DE James Smith-Williams signs with Falcons

Smith-Williams’ departure makes it official. The book on the 2020 NFL draft is closed in Washington.

In the latest free agent signings, James Smith-Williams has departed the Commanders to join the Falcons on a one-year deal.

Drafted in the seventh round (No. 229) in the 2020 draft by Washington, the former North Carolina State Wolfpack defensive end played four seasons for the Burgundy and Gold.

When Chase Young went down in 2021 with a season-ending knee injury, Smith-Williams noticeably improved the Commanders defense for the remainder of the season. His defense against the run proved to be a contributing factor to the team winning four consecutive games when he entered the lineup.

He started the last six games of that 2021 season, recording 30 tackles (11 solo, 19 assisted), including four for a loss, 2.5 quarterback sacks, and five additional QB hits.

Smith-Williams started 14 games in the 2022 season, contributing 23 tackles (12 solo, 11 assisted), including five tackles for a loss, three QB sacks and 16 QB hits.

In his final season (2023) in Washington, injuries limited him to 13 games (7 starts), 22 tackles (11 solo, 11 assists), two tackles for a loss, one quarterback sack, and eight quarterback hits.

Here are highlights from his last two Washington seasons.

When the 2024  free agent signing period launched in March, the Commanders new administration determined to sign Dorance Armstrong Jr. and Dante Fowler Jr. both defensive ends who had played for new head coach Dan Quinn in Dallas.

Then, the Commanders signed Clelin Ferrell, a former 49ers defensive end, whom new GM Adam Peters knew from his time as the assistant general manager in San Francisco.

The Commanders had also determined, this offseason, to re-sign Efe Obada over Smith-Williams. Obada has played both inside and outside on passing downs, accumulating 15 career sacks in his 74 NFL games played.

A couple of things are noteworthy. New Falcons free agent quarterback Kirk Cousins has the same agent as Smith-Williams (Priority Sports & Entertainment), and current Falcons assistant general manager Kyle Smith was with Washington and ran the draft board during the 2020 draft, Ron Rivera’s first with Washington.

Colin Cowherd says he’s been told the Commanders are taking Jayden Daniels

And tomorrow he will say it’s Drake Maye.

Another day, another prediction for LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels to the Washington Commanders in the 2024 NFL draft.

On Monday’s edition of “The Herd,” Colin Cowherd said he’s been told the Commanders are taking Daniels with the second overall pick in this month’s NFL draft.

“Alright, I have been told the Washington Commanders, right now, as of today, would choose Jayden Daniels, LSU quarterback, as their top pick,” Cowherd said.

“In going back and forth, I’m told they believe he’s more consistent than Drake Maye. He is quicker, more mobile than Drake Maye. And offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, who will have some say in this, has had multiple quarterbacks in his college and pro coaching career that play like him. Quarterbacks like Jayden Daniels are important; they are very hypermobile, and that matters a lot. Russell Wilson, Kyler Murray, Lamar Jackson, as you’re trying to figure out the sophisticated NFL pocket, and all it asks, it gives you a couple of years to pick up first downs and move the sticks with your feet. Even Patrick Mahomes acknowledged the light didn’t truly go on until year three. But the ability to move, Washington has a bad offensive line, pick up first downs with those feet as you’re learning the game is important.”

Cowherd goes on and on about why Daniels should be the pick. But wait, I thought you were told he was the pick? So, were you told he was the pick, or are you saying that’s who Washington should pick?

Cowherd repeats himself multiple times in the segment, which you can view below.

So, unless Washington general manager Adam Peters told Cowherd that Daniels was the pick, this is another case of someone throwing something against the wall, hoping it sticks.

 

2024 NFL draft: How old are some of the draft’s top quarterback prospects?

Sam Howell is younger than two of the 2024 NFL draft’s top QB prospects.

Sam Howell, Washington’s starter during the 2023 season, is actually still younger than 2024 NFL draft prospects Bo Nix and Michael Penix.

Yet, the Commanders new administration already determined the better thing for the Commanders was to go ahead and trade Howell.

Howell, entering his third NFL season, will turn 24 in September. Bo Nix, who quarterbacked at Auburn and then Oregon, is already 24, and Michael Penix, who was under center at Indiana and later Washington (Huskies), will turn 24 on May 8.

The question has been raised, “Did Adam Peters and Dan Quinn give up too soon on Sam Howell?” Of course, the answer is not going to be a simplistic yes or no. That’s because it is much too early to know. There simply is not enough data at this point to make an altogether certain conclusion either way.

USC quarterback Caleb Williams will turn 23 in November. Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy will not turn age 22 until Jan. 2025. LSU’s Jayden Daniels will turn 24 on Dec. 18, and Drake Maye (North Carolina) will be 22 on Aug. 30.

All of these players have different amounts of experience in different situations. Penix attempted the most passes of college quarterbacks (555). Nix (8th) attempted 470, while Maye attempted 425 (18th).

Contrast this with McCarthy (332), where Michigan’s defense kept them in every game. They won the national championship with a tough defense and an effective running game. They simply didn’t need McCarthy to throw nearly as much.

Consequently, just because there was less opportunity for McCarthy to throw does not mean he can’t be a capable passer in the NFL.

Howell had played in one NFL game when he became the starter for 2023. He showed flashes early in the season, but following the Seattle game, Howell noticeably dropped off in effectiveness and confidence.

Should Washington have traded Howell? At this point, we have no idea how Howell will respond to last season’s descending second half. Perhaps the new scenery and new coaching staff will do him well.

There have been reports that Sean McVay (Rams) and Sean Payton (Broncos) were also interested in Howell. That speaks well for Howell.

At this point, only one thing is certain: the Commanders “felt” it better that Howell not remain here as either the starter or backup to the quarterback they are going to select at No. 2 overall.