Tag: Braeden Daniels

Commanders fare poorly in 2023 NFL draft re-grade

The early returns aren’t good for Washington, but a new regime brings hope.

Ron Rivera’s final season in charge of the Washington Commanders was horrendous. The Commanders finished 4-13 and fielded the NFL’s worst defenses, and Rivera was relieved of his duties in January.

Rivera’s final legacy with Washington is his 2023 NFL draft class. The early returns aren’t good. Cornerback Emmanuel Forbes, the Commanders’ first-round pick, was benched twice. Second-round pick Quan Martin showed flashes when he was allowed to play, while third-round pick Ricky Stromberg barely played, made no impact and missed the second half of the season with an injury.

Fourth-round pick Braeden Daniels likely wasn’t making the team out of training camp and was placed on injured reserve. Fifth-round pick K.J. Henry showed promise in the second half of the season, while sixth-round pick Chris Rodriguez Jr. thrived in a limited role. Finally, seventh-round selection Andre Jones Jr. didn’t do much but has tools.

So, if we graded this class after one year, it wouldn’t be a passing grade.

Diante Lee of The Athletic recently regraded the entire 2023 NFL draft, assigning grades to all 32 NFL teams. Lee placed Washington under the final category: A step backward/Incomplete. Only three teams were in this category, and Lee offered the following analysis:

Washington Commanders: D-minus

Emmanuel Forbes (No. 16) had some rough moments, to the point that he was benched during the 2023 season. Safety Quan Martin (No. 47) played in the slot by necessity as a rookie, but it’s not clear if that’s the best spot for him in Dan Quinn’s defense. After trading away two starting edge rushers last year, this team cannot afford to have its early picks sitting on the bench.

That’s a deserving grade. We could make the case you could give Washington an F. The good news here is that new head coach Dan Quinn brings hope. Quinn hired an all-star staff, including new defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr., known for his work with defensive backs. That’s good news for Forbes and Martin.

If Forbes and Martin turn out to be hits, while others, like Henry and Rodriguez, can carve out roles, this draft will not look nearly as bad in a couple of years.

After one week of free agency, what is the Commanders biggest need?

The Commanders still need help at different positions, but one stands out.

With the first week of the 2024 NFL free agency cycle winding to a close, what is the Commanders’ biggest area of need?

Washington signed 14 new unrestricted free agents: QB Marcus Mariota, RB Austin Ekeler, TE Zach Ertz, C Tyler Biadasz, G Nick Allegretti, DL Dorance Armstrong, DL Dante Fowler Jr., DL Clelin Ferrell, LB Bobby Wagner, LB Frankie Luvu, LB Anthony Pittman, S Jeremy Chinn, K Brandon McManus and LS Tyler Ott.

The Commanders also signed three of their own unrestricted free agents: DL Efe Obada, S Jeremy Reaves and WR Jamison Crowder.

Adam Peters has done a great job of being able to sign players to meet needs at center, guard, edge rusher and linebacker. With Jacoby Brissett wishing to reunite with offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt in New England, Peters also signed Mariota to be a veteran who has lived under the pressure of being the second overall draft selection (2015).

At this point, there is an area of concern, and that would be at offensive tackle. After all, they will need to protect their quarterback better in 2024. The tackles currently on the roster are Andrew Wylie, Alex Akingbulu, Trent Scott, and Braeden Daniels. Mason Brooks is another possibility right now listed simply as “OL.”

The new administration and coaching staff could choose to re-sign Cornelius Lucas. Lucas has served well as a swing tackle, moving wherever needed.

Interestingly, for those who have not yet noticed, the current Commanders roster lists Sam Cosmi as a tackle. Cosmi was switched inside from tackle to guard for 2023 and was arguably the best offensive lineman on the team last season.

The Commanders really need to find some tackles soon and in the draft as well.

Commanders place rookie OT Braeden Daniels on reserve/injured list

The move allows Washington to keep another offensive lineman who may be able to help in 2023.

The Washington Commanders placed rookie offensive tackle Braeden Daniels on the reserve/injured list Monday, one day ahead of the NFL deadline for teams to trim rosters from 90 to 53 players.

The move means that’s one less cut the Commanders will need to make on Tuesday. In addition to moving Daniels to the injured list, Washington also cut 12 players. As of Monday evening, the Commanders’ roster sits at 77 players, meaning they must cut 24 players ahead of Tuesday’s 4:00 p.m. ET deadline.

A fourth-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft, Daniels struggled this summer. An All-Pac-12 selection during his time at Utah, many believed the 6-foot-4, 294-pound Daniels would be better at guard in the NFL. However, the Commanders said he would begin his career at offensive tackle.

While some initially felt Daniels being moved to the reserve/injured list was curious, Matthew Paras of The Washington Times reported that he had suffered a torn rotator cuff. If that is indeed the injury, that would sideline for his entire rookie season.

The move allows the Commanders to add a veteran offensive tackle, either via another team’s cuts or someone already on the roster, such as Trent Scott. Charles Leno Jr., Andrew Wylie and Cornelius Lucas are roster locks for the Commanders.

5 offensive players to watch for the Commanders in preseason opener vs. Browns

We identified five offensive players to watch for the Commanders Friday.

The Washington Commanders kick off the 2023 preseason Friday with a trip to Cleveland to face the Browns.

Washington’s starters will play. How much? Head coach Ron Rivera wasn’t about to divulge that information this week, but we should assume that starting quarterback Sam Howell and the offense will play at least two series.

One offensive player who will not play is tight end Logan Thomas. The veteran tight end has dealt with a calf injury over the last week. While the injury isn’t believed to be serious, the Commanders aren’t taking any chances with their 32-year-old starter.

Washington has a new offense in 2023 with Eric Bieniemy in charge. What should we expect to see in the preseason opener?

We identify five Washington players to watch in Friday’s preseason opener.

Commanders sign 4th-round pick Braeden Daniels

Braeden Daniels can play guard or tackle, but will receive his first chance at tackle.

The Washington Commanders signed fourth-round pick Braeden Daniels Friday after locking up third-round pick Ricky Stromberg. That leaves Washington’s only unsigned draft picks as first-round pick Emmanuel Forbes and second-round pick Quan Martin.

The 6-foot-4, 294-pound Daniels is expected to begin his NFL career at offensive tackle. The former Utah Ute was a four-year starter in college, first beginning his career at left guard, where he started 14 games in 2019. In 2021, Daniels started three games at left guard before moving over to right tackle and starting 11 games. He was named second-team All-Pac 12 after the season.

Daniels moved to left tackle for his senior season, where he started all 14 games. He earned first-team All-Pac honors for a unit that averaged over 217 yards rushing per game and allowed just 15 sacks as a group.

For his career, Daniels played in 49 games, making 43 starts. Daniels and Stromberg have played a lot of football at a high level, which made them attractive to Washington head coach Ron Rivera who wanted ready-made contributors.

Many project Daniels to inside as a guard at the next level, but Rivera said Daniels will get his first crack at offensive tackle. Charles Leno Jr. and Andrew Wylie are Washington’s projected starters at tackle, and Daniels will compete with Cornelius Lucas and Trent Scott to be the Commanders’ swing tackle in 2023.

Logan Paulsen wonders if Commanders should have drafted a couple of offensive tackles

Paulsen offers his excellent analysis of the Commanders’ draft and questions the team’s decision not to take a true offensive tackle.

Former Washington tight end Logan Paulsen raised a legitimate question with Craig Hoffman Thursday on the “Take Command Podcast.”

Paulsen reminded listeners that Ohio State offensive tackle Dawand Jones was still available when the Commanders went on the clock for the 97th selection late in round three of last week’s 2023 NFL draft.

“My question is, is the risk of that player worth the 97th pick for a guy who has top-five talent, when and if he is in shape and he is ready to play football?”

Paulsen raised the question because the Commanders looking for an offensive tackle had all four top prospects taken by the time they selected at 16. Jones was there at 97 when the Commanders determined to not take the huge offensive tackle, selecting instead Arkansas center Ricky Stromberg.

Paulsen spoke to one of his NFL friends who conveyed to Paulsen that their staff had removed Jones from their board entirely.

“They (Commanders) like bigger centers, and Stromberg is more their type. This is not an indictment of Stromberg in any way. I think Stromberg is an excellent football player. But I tend to value tackle more than I value center.”

Paulsen also questioned the Commanders selecting Utah G/T Braeden Daniels at 118 when Pittsburgh tackle Carter Warren was available and taken two picks later. Prior to his ACL injury last season, Paulsen said Warren was projected by several to be a top 60 pick.

Do you get what Paulsen is saying? Offensive tackles being much more important, carry more value. Therefore, twice Washington could have taken a higher-upside tackle at either 97 or 118 and decided to go with a safer selection both times.

Paulsen continued, “There is a history with big offensive tackles with weight issues in college continuing to have weight issues in the pros.“ Paulsen expressed that Jones at the Senior Bowl came in at 370 and looked like a top-five offensive tackle.

But Paulsen also said that Jones in the season had gotten up to 420 pounds “and looked enormous.” If he “stays down at 370, it’s a party now.“ So Paulsen asked does 420 pound Jones have more upside than Braeden Daniels.

He also pointed out Jones was to come in for a 30-visit, but it fell through. Paulsen said he was not altogether certain but willing to wager a lot of money that Jones was again really out of shape, and they (Commanders) wanted to get him on the scales.

Craig Hoffman offered a logical, direct point when declaring, “I’d rather trust Braeden Daniels to put on 15 pounds than Jones to lose 30 pounds…it’s a no-brainer.”

Here is the entire segment; its worth the listen.

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Commanders gave Ole Miss OL Mason Brooks one of the larger guarantees for UDFAs

Brooks can play guard and tackle.

While the Washington Commanders didn’t draft an offensive lineman in the first or second round of the 2023 NFL draft, they did add depth and talent to the group.

Washington selected Arkansas center Ricky Stromberg in the third round and Utah guard/tackle Braeden Daniels in the fourth round. Stromberg will compete to start this season, while Daniels will likely begin his career at offensive tackle. Both can play multiple positions and will provide depth in 2023.

After the draft, Washington wasn’t done adding to the offensive line. One of its first moves was signing Mississippi offensive tackle Mason Brooks as a priority undrafted free agent.

According to Mike Garofolo of the NFL Network, the Commanders gave Brooks a $35K bonus, second only to the Vikings’ bonus for Army Edge rusher Andre Carter.

Brooks began his college career at Western Kentucky, where he primarily played right tackle. After transferring to Ole Miss, Brooks played guard, showing the positional versatility Commanders head coach Ron Rivera values so much.

The Commanders view Brooks as a tackle, but he can play guard, too. John Keim of ESPN said the Commanders valued Brooks from the start, as well as Illinois safety Kendall Smith.

Commanders draft pick Braeden Daniels will begin his career at offensive tackle

The coaches like his position flex but want to give him a chance at tackle first.

Braeden Daniels played three positions during his college career at Utah. Daniels began at guard before moving to right tackle and then left tackle during his final season in 2022.

On Saturday, Daniels was a fourth-round pick of the Washington Commanders.

At 6-foot-4, 294 pounds, multiple draft analysts believe Daniels’ best NFL position would be at guard, but could also play swing tackle. But it didn’t sound like too many believed he’d be a starting offensive tackle at the next level.

Commanders head coach Ron Rivera disagrees, saying Daniels would begin his career at tackle.

“Well, he’ll compete in it,” Rivera said when asked if Daniels would have a chance to compete to start at left guard.

“Both Chris [Paul] and Saahdiq [Charles] are gonna get a great opportunity to show us what they’re capable of. Would Braden have an opportunity? Yeah, but you know, we’re gonna see where he fits as far as tackle is concerned. And then we’ll take a look at the guard stuff, but tackle is something that we really like. A lot of athleticism there. Very raw talent. Listening to Travelle, one of the things Travelle felt is that this is a young man, if we can get his footwork straight, we think he has a chance to, to be a contributor.”

If Daniels can play tackle, that’s good for Washington. If not, many believe he’ll be an excellent NFL guard.

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Twitter reaction to Commanders pick of Braeden Daniels at No. 118

Twitter reacts to Washington’s selection of Braeden Daniels.

After the Commanders started their 2023 NFL draft selecting back-to-back defensive backs, they have now chosen back-to-back offensive linemen.

In the first two rounds, they had chosen Emmanuel Forbes (16th overall) and Jartavius Martin (47th overall). Now they have determined to make additions at center and guard with Ricky Stromberg (97th overall) and Braeden Daniels (118th overall).

What was the Twitter reaction to the Commanders selecting the guard from Utah?

Instant analysis of Commanders selecting Utah G/T Braeden Daniels in 4th round

What did the Commanders get in Braeden Daniels?

The Washington Commanders continue to add pieces to the offensive line. After selecting Arkansas center Ricky Stromberg at No. 97 overall in the 2023 NFL draft Friday, the Commanders drafted Utah guard/tackle Braeden Daniels at No. 118 overall Saturday.

Daniels started in parts of four seasons at Utah, ending his career as an All-PAC-12 selection at left tackle. Daniels started at left guard, right tackle and left tackle.

As Washington looks to upgrade the offensive line, Daniels should compete to start at left guard as a rookie with Chris Paul, Saahdiq Charles and perhaps Nick Gates if he isn’t the starting center.

Daniels is a good athlete who could thrive in a zone scheme.

Here’s Lance Zierlein of NFL.com’s scouting report on Daniels.

Active, athletic offensive lineman offering room for development at guard or tackle. Daniels is an impactful down blocker with the quickness to handle zone-blocking duties. Firing out and sustaining drive blocks, however, will require much better patience and footwork to keep from whiffing or falling off blocks. Small hands prevent him from latching in as a run blocker or in pass protection, but flurrying hands and a tenacious mirror help him stay in front of rushers. Position versatility and correctable issues could raise Daniels’ draft profile as a middle-rounder with upside.
Daniels presents good value to Washington as a fourth-round pick. If he’s nothing more than a swing tackle, it’s an excellent selection. And if he becomes a starter, even better.
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