Tag: J.D. McKissic

2022 Fantasy Strength of Schedule: Running Backs

2022 fantasy strength of schedule for running backs

Schedule strength for running backs considers both rushing and receiving yards as today’s players rarely rely on just running production anymore. The analysis also considers the venue. There is a difference between how defenses respond either home or away, which creates 64 “different defensive matchups” depending on where the game is played.

See also:
2022 fantasy football schedule strength – Quarterbacks
2022 fantasy football schedule strength – Running Backs
2022 fantasy football schedule strength – Receivers

The scoring was a point for every ten yards rushing or receiving, six-point touchdowns, and a point per reception. The average fantasy points allowed to running backs are at the bottom of this page for reference.

Total Points

Below are the total points for each backfield according to their schedule, using the averages allowed in 2021 by those defenses.

BUF DET CHI SEA MIA NE BAL CAR LAC WAS IND
422 412 412 411 411 410 410 409 407 406 406
KC DEN NYJ SF DAL NO JAC CLE TEN ARI
405 403 402 401 401 400 398 397 396 395
CIN PHI LAR GB MIN PIT ATL NYG HOU TB LV
394 393 393 393 392 392 389 388 385 381 381

The differences do not appear dramatic. And the Bills and Lions are primarily passing teams with committee backfields. David Montgomery is nicely situated but will be in a new offense.  The Seahawks, Dolphins, Patriots, and Ravens are the next best, but all also rely on a combination of several running backs.

Weekly Play

Three different views are below. Week 1 to 17 is the full-season fantasy strength of schedule. “The Dorey Rule” says to draft by considering the first six weeks for a hot start. Finally, Weeks 15 to 17 represent the most common fantasy playoff weeks. “Good” games against a Top-22 venue from last year; “Bad” was when they played in one of the Bottom-22. Bye weeks were also considered as “bad”.

Notable schedules

Antonio Gibson / J.D. McKissic (WAS) – The Commanders’ schedule is very advantageous for their running backs. As it works out, they battle three bad matchups by Week 6 but then the only remaining negative is a Week 14 bye. Better yet, six of their final nine weeks contain weaker defenses and Weeks 15 and 17 are at home versus the Giants and Browns. The workload looks to be more distributed this year, and there is the specter of Brian Robinson Jr. cutting into the workload. By midseason, the schedule looks profitable for the backfield.

Ravens Backfield (BAL) – One of the murkier backfields gets a lighter slate of games. Both J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards return from injury, Mike Davis was added and Tyler Baddie was drafted. The best part of this schedule is Weeks 1 to 8 which contain five soft matchups and no bad ones. The second half of the season is much less favorable, but at least they end up with home games against the Falcons and Steelers during fantasy playoffs.

D’Andre Swift / Jamaal Williams (DET) –  The Lions face one of the better schedules for running backs with a nice opening to the season with three of five matchups favorable and ending with only one tough venue in the final seven games of the fantasy season. D’Andre Swift already enters 2022 with promise, and his schedule will work with him if he can stay healthy.

Rashaad Penny / Kenneth Walker (SEA) – The respective roles are up for grabs in the Seattle backfield, but an intention to run more and a kind schedule should help. After Week 6, the only negatives are the bye and Week 14 versus the 49ers. Overall, this could let the rookie Kenneth Walker shine if Rashaad Penny continues to have injury issues. Fantasy championships at home versus the Jets sound like a winner.

Devin Singletary / James Cook (BUF) – Another backfield with less clarity after the Bills made James Cook as the third running back taken in the NFL draft. Devin Singletary likely remains the primary back but faces a tough opening with three bad matchups over the initial four games. It clears up the rest of the way with only a bye and Week 16 at the Bears, but otherwise, they enjoy seven favorable matchups between Weeks 5 to 14.

Dalvin Cook (MIN) – The Vikings’ stud running back has already fallen in fantasy drafts this year and that’s likely compounded with a glance at his schedule.  Cook battles a brutal stretch between Weeks 4 and 12, with every matchup in a tough venue other than hosting the Bears in Week 5 as a neutral pairing. It lightens over the final five games but still plays the Colts and at the Packers during fantasy playoffs.

Najee Harris (PIT) – The top rookie rusher last year, Najee Harris was a fantasy goldmine but he’ll have a tougher time repeating with a new quarterback and a schedule that contains just three favorable venues against eight top defenses plus a bye week. Even his fantasy playoffs holds road trips to the Panthers and Ravens.

Josh Jacobs / Kenyan Drake (LV) – There’s a chance that even the rookie Zamir White could also limit what Josh Jacobs and Kenyan Drake accomplish this year. Jacobs star isn’t as bright, and Drake returns from a broken ankle. Worse yet, after opening at the Chargers, the Raiders don’t have a favorable matchup until Week 12. And when you need them the most, this backfield faces the 49ers, Patriots and Steelers during fantasy playoffs.

2022 weekly grid

Week ARI ATL BAL BUF CAR CHI CIN CLE
1 KC NO @NYJ @LAR CLE SF PIT @CAR
2 @LV @LAR MIA TEN @NYG @GB @DAL NYJ
3 LAR @SEA @NE @MIA NO HOU @NYJ PIT
4 @CAR CLE BUF @BAL ARI @NYG MIA @ATL
5 PHI @TB CIN PIT SF @MIN @BAL LAC
6 @SEA SF @NYG @KC @LAR WAS @NO NE
7 NO @CIN CLE bye TB @NE ATL @BAL
8 @MIN CAR @TB GB @ATL @DAL @CLE CIN
9 SEA LAC @NO @NYJ @CIN MIA CAR bye
10 @LAR @CAR bye MIN ATL DET bye @MIA
11 SF CHI CAR CLE @BAL @ATL @PIT @BUF
12 LAC @WAS @JAC @DET DEN @NYJ @TEN TB
13 bye PIT DEN @NE bye GB KC @HOU
14 NE bye @PIT NYJ @SEA bye CLE @CIN
15 @DEN @NO @CLE MIA PIT PHI @TB BAL
16 TB @BAL ATL @CHI DET BUF @NE NO
17 @ATL ARI PIT @CIN @TB @DET BUF @WAS
18 @SF TB @CIN NE @NO MIN BAL @PIT
DAL DEN DET GB HOU IND JAC KC
1 TB @SEA PHI @MIN IND @HOU @WAS @ARI
2 CIN HOU WAS CHI @DEN @JAC IND LAC
3 @NYG SF @MIN @TB @CHI KC @LAC @IND
4 WAS @LV SEA NE LAC TEN @PHI @TB
5 @LAR IND @NE NYG @JAC @DEN HOU LV
6 @PHI @LAC bye NYJ bye JAC @IND BUF
7 DET NYJ @DAL @WAS @LV @TEN NYG @SF
8 CHI @JAC MIA @BUF TEN WAS DEN bye
9 bye bye GB @DET PHI @NE LV TEN
10 @GB @TEN @CHI DAL @NYG @LV @KC JAC
11 @MIN LV @NYG TEN WAS PHI bye @LAC
12 NYG @CAR BUF @PHI @MIA PIT BAL LAR
13 IND @BAL JAC @CHI CLE @DAL @DET @CIN
14 HOU KC MIN bye @DAL bye @TEN @DEN
15 @JAC ARI @NYJ LAR KC @MIN DAL @HOU
16 PHI @LAR @CAR @MIA @TEN LAC @NYJ SEA
17 @TEN @KC CHI MIN JAC @NYG @HOU DEN
18 @WAS LAC @GB DET @IND HOU TEN @LV
LAC LAR LV MIA MIN NE NO NYG
1 LV BUF @LAC NE GB @MIA @ATL @TEN
2 @KC ATL ARI @BAL @PHI @PIT TB CAR
3 JAC @ARI @TEN BUF DET BAL @CAR DAL
4 @HOU @SF DEN @CIN @NO @GB MIN CHI
5 @CLE DAL @KC @NYJ CHI DET SEA @GB
6 DEN CAR bye MIN @MIA @CLE CIN BAL
7 SEA bye HOU PIT bye CHI @ARI @JAC
8 bye SF @NO @DET ARI @NYJ LV @SEA
9 @ATL @TB @JAC @CHI @WAS IND BAL bye
10 @SF ARI IND CLE @BUF bye @PIT HOU
11 KC @NO @DEN bye DAL NYJ LAR DET
12 @ARI @KC @SEA HOU NE @MIN @SF @DAL
13 @LV SEA LAC @SF NYJ BUF @TB WAS
14 MIA LV @LAR @LAC @DET @ARI bye PHI
15 TEN @GB NE @BUF IND @LV ATL @WAS
16 @IND DEN @PIT GB NYG CIN @CLE @MIN
17 LAR @LAC SF @NE @GB MIA @PHI IND
18 @DEN @SEA KC NYJ @CHI @BUF CAR @PHI
NYJ PHI PIT SEA SF TB TEN WAS
1 BAL @DET @CIN DEN @CHI @DAL NYG JAC
2 @CLE MIN NE @SF SEA @NO @BUF @DET
3 CIN @WAS @CLE ATL @DEN GB LV PHI
4 @PIT JAC NYJ @DET LAR KC @IND @DAL
5 MIA @ARI @BUF @NO @CAR ATL @WAS TEN
6 @GB DAL TB ARI @ATL @PIT bye @CHI
7 @DEN bye @MIA @LAC KC @CAR IND GB
8 NE PIT @PHI NYG @LAR BAL @HOU @IND
9 BUF @HOU bye @ARI bye LAR @KC MIN
10 bye WAS NO @TB LAC SEA DEN @PHI
11 @NE @IND CIN bye @ARI bye @GB @HOU
12 CHI GB @IND LV NO @CLE CIN ATL
13 @MIN TEN @ATL @LAR MIA NO @PHI @NYG
14 @BUF @NYG BAL CAR TB @SF JAC bye
15 DET @CHI @CAR SF @SEA CIN @LAC NYG
16 JAC @DAL LV @KC WAS @ARI HOU @SF
17 @SEA NO @BAL NYJ @LV CAR DAL CLE
18 @MIA NYG CLE LAR ARI @ATL @JAC DAL

 

Fantasy points allowed per game to running backs

These are the values applied to this year’s schedule to determine strength of schedule for running backs.

NYJ 36.1 @SF 24.7 @BUF 21.5
DET 31.1 @PHI 24.7 @DEN 21.5
@SEA 30.8 @ATL 24.6 TB 21.3
SEA 30.7 @KC 24.6 NE 21.2
PIT 29.7 HOU 24.6 @NO 20.9
@NYJ 29.6 MIA 24.5 @CHI 20.8
@NYG 27.1 @CIN 24.3 @CLE 20.6
@LVR 26.9 @MIN 24.2 @PIT 20.6
LVR 26.4 @TB 24.1 TEN 20.5
CIN 26.1 KC 23.6 DAL 20.5
@LAC 26.0 @IND 23.5 @DAL 20.3
@NE 25.9 GB 23.4 @CAR 20.3
WAS 25.8 PHI 23.3 @BAL 20.2
@HOU 25.6 CHI 23.0 @MIA 20.2
CLE 25.5 @ARI 22.9 @GB 20.1
ATL 25.3 BAL 22.5 @WAS 20.1
NYG 25.2 DEN 22.2 ARI 19.6
@LAR 25.2 @JAC 22.2 SF 19.3
LAC 25.1 CAR 21.9 LAR 18.9
MIN 25.0 BUF 21.9 IND 18.0
JAC 24.9 @TEN 17.4
@DET 24.9 NO 16.8

 

In hindsight, some thoughts on Washington’s 2022 NFL draft

More thoughts on some of Washington’s 2022 NFL draft class.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbykgy681k112p8 player_id=none image=https://washingtonfootballwire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Jahan Dotson (Rd 1, 16): Dotson must have an unbelievable “catch radius” because that was the buzz phrase from the Commanders brass. And the trade back from No. 11 to No. 16 was certainly maximized by Washington. The Commanders are banking on Chris Olave not being that much better than Dotson, and they also picked up Brian Robinson and Sam Howell with picks traded to them during the draft.   They had needs and thus needed to trade back, so I am glad they did trade back.

Brian Robinson Jr. (Rd 3, 98): Robinson is not the receiver J D McKissic is out of the backfield. Yet, it is also true that McKissic is not the insider runner that Robinson is. McKissic is coming off of a neck injury and Antonio Gibson did have fumble problems last season. Robinson might become an interesting short-yardage asset and is certainly a more powerful runner than Jaret Patterson or Jonathan Williams displayed in 2021.

Phidarian Mathis (Rd 2, 47): Mathis might be a better run defender than Matt Ioannidis and Tim Settle. Thus he might actually provide what those two defensive tackles did not. Yet, the other side of the coin looks (at least for now) to also be just as true. Settle and Ioannidis both were more mobile against the wide runs and providing pass rush. Mathis is known to be good at occupying blockers, which would help the middle linebacker in particular.

Remember how Aaron Rodgers was upset that Green Bay did not contact Rodgers, preparing him for their late first-round choice of Jordan Love? The Commanders must have learned from that as well, because Saturday they contacted Wentz, informing him of their intention to draft UNC QB Sam Howell in the fifth round (144).

With Coach Ron saying this next season is going to be a good step up for Washington, did you notice in this draft the Commanders chose only one underclassman? And that guy was Howell, whom they would rather not have to play in 2022. They upgraded at starter with the trade for Wentz and they couldn’t pass up the opportunity to perhaps draft for the future as well, at the game’s most significant position.

 

Instant analysis: Washington selects Alabama RB Brian Robinson Jr. in 3rd round

What does Brian Robinson Jr. bring to the Commanders in 2022?

“With the 98th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Washington Commanders select Brian Robinson Jr. RB, Alabama,” said Washington DE Chase Young.

Robinson became the second Alabama player drafted by Washington in this draft as Phidarian Mathis (DT) was chosen at No. 47 in the second round.

Robinson had played little at Alabama having to wait his turn behind great college backs Damien Harris, Joshua Jacobs and Najee Harris. But when provided the opportunity his senior season, Robinson gained 1,343 yards in 271 carries for a 5.0 yards per carry average and 14 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 35 passes for 296 yards (8.5 yards per reception) and 2 receiving touchdowns.

Observed him in games this season, being decisive in making that one-cut, attacking the defense style of running. Robinson was measured at 6-foot-2, 225 pounds. He ran a 4.53 40 and recorded a 30″ vertical leap.

He was first-team All-SEC in 2021, and in a huge national semifinal game against Cincinnati rushed 26 times for 204 yards.

Washington usually maintains three running backs on their 53-man roster. The front runners for the three spots will be Antonio Gibson and J.D. McKissic. Robinson will need to beat out Jaret Patterson, and Jonathan Williams for the final spot. McKissic is coming off of a neck injury as well.

It also would appear, if Gibson is not extended or demands too much money after his fourth season, Robinson is being drafted (3rd round) to develop and prepare himself for the possibility of succeeding Gibson as the primary back.

Washington came into the draft not owning a third-round selection, having traded it to the Indianapolis Colts in the Carson Wentz deal.

The Commanders then made the first trade of this 2022 NFL draft when they traded their No. 16 overall choice to the New Orleans Saints for the Saints’ No. 16, 98 and 120 selections.

Commanders select Alabama RB Brian Robinson Jr. No. 98 overall in the 2022 NFL draft

The Commanders select Alabama RB Brian Robinson Jr. No. 98 overall in the 2022 NFL draft.

[mm-video type=video id=01g1w7xcsh30mk5vys76 playlist_id=01eqbykgy681k112p8 player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g1w7xcsh30mk5vys76/01g1w7xcsh30mk5vys76-67a70d2786a039222d9c597862a2c30b.jpg]

The Washington Commanders selected Alabama running back Brian Robinson Jr. with the No. 98 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft. It was Washington’s second consecutive selection from Alabama as the Commanders chose defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis in the second round.

Robinson, 23, rushed for 1,343 yards and 14 touchdowns in his final season with the Crimson Tide. At 6-foot-1, 228-pound Robinson rushed for 2,704 yards during five years at Alabama.

Washington scouted running backs aggressively in the pre-draft process, hosting top prospects Breece Hall and Kenneth Walker III on top 30 visits. Robinson joins Antonio Gibson, J.D. McKissic and Jaret Patterson in Washington’s backfield.

Robinson is the second offensive player to join Scott Turner’s offense, following first-round wide receiver Jahan Dotson. The Commanders hold the No. 113 and 120 overall selections in the fourth round, which begins Saturday.

Commanders GM: ‘Always pressure to win’

Washington general manager Martin Mayhew discussed several topics this week, including how the team has met with the agents for Terry McLaurin and Daron Payne.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbykgy681k112p8 player_id=none image=https://washingtonfootballwire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Martin Mayhew met with the Washington press in conjunction with the NFL owner’s meetings in Florida.

Here are some excerpts:

Mayhew really likes Carson Wentz’s skill set, his big arm and says he is a great person as well. “Carson was the best option for us.” Mayhew said he also had conversations with Frank Reich a former teammate in Buffalo, and Colts’ GM Chris Ballard. “We were very comfortable making that decision.”

When asked about pressure, Mayhew actually laughed saying there is always pressure in the NFL. “We are in this thing to win and every team is always under pressure to win.”

Mayhew did not agree that good players don’t want to come to Washington, stating they have talked with several agents about players who wanted to come to Washington. He also assured the press that NFL free agency doesn’t end after the first week. It is an ongoing process and they are still talking with free agents.

Mayhew mentioned it was a priority trying to get Cam Sims and J.D. McKissic back for 2022 and that they have already talked with the agents for Terry McLaurin, Daron Payne and DeAndre Carter, but didn’t feel he should elaborate any further right now.

When asked if this team is now a contender Mayhew wisely responded, “I think when you start thinking that way, you lose sight of what is important. What is really important is getting better every day. I was on two teams that went to a championship and we never really talked about that. It was about continual improvement…”

When asked what Wentz brings to the team: “An elite skill set, he is 6-foot-5 a tremendous athlete, a guy with a great arm, can make plays down the field, can see the entire field, can read coverages, can go through progressions. He has the ability to make everyone around him better.”

When asked regarding the 2022 NFL draft: “We have needs. We need good football players, across the board.”

Mayhew spoke highly of last season’s offensive line, the coaching of the line, and losing two guys who played well for that line. He expects them to have another good offensive line in 2022.

Some of the rookies had flashes of good and some struggles as well. He was not overly concerned, pointing out the different positions some being more difficult to learn than others.

He has not seen Curtis Samuel or talked with him, but he has talked some with Chase Young regarding his rehab.

Mayhew conveyed there has been talk with other teams regarding each of those teams’ draft positions and possible movements in the draft. He understandably did not elaborate further.

There is more, so here is the link. 

 

J.D. McKissic thrilled to be back in Washington

McKissic says he has “unfinished business” with the Commanders.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbykgy681k112p8 player_id=none image=https://washingtonfootballwire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Much to the chagrin of Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane, running back J.D. McKissic is happy to be back with the Washington Commanders for the next two seasons.

For the first time since re-signing with Washington last week, McKissic spoke with the media about his decision to sign with the Bills, only to reverse course and remain in Washington.

“Much respect to the [Bills] organization,” McKissic said via Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post. “You can’t ask for a better organization to be chosen by. But I had unfinished business in Washington.”

McKissic said he was initially surprised Washington didn’t make him an offer before agreeing to terms with the Bills but chalked it up to business.

“It’s a business, and that’s the thing — you really can’t take anything personal in this business. I just sat back, and I was patient. I was ready to do whatever it took to take care of my family.”

The Commanders were certainly relieved McKissic changed his mind and returned to Washington. Whether or not one agrees with how the Commanders handled McKissic’s situation, they did nothing wrong. After all, it’s called the legal tampering period, and nothing was binding until 4:00 p.m. later on the day, McKissic changed his mind.

The more significant issue was why Washington didn’t come to McKissic with an initial offer. The team wanted to retain him, so why not make an offer before he agreed to terms with the Bills? Sure, nothing was illegal, but the Commanders do not need another reason to be hated around the NFL.

Ultimately, McKissic made it clear returning to Washington was the right decision.

“I made my decision based off where I wanted to be,” McKissic said. “Like I said, Washington is home for me. I know Buffalo is a great organization. They’re doing some great things. But I feel like we can do great things here as well, and that was my whole thing. I made my decision off where I wanted to be.”

Washington needs more players like Jonathan Allen, Logan Thomas and McKissic. All three players wanted to remain in Washington, and both sides made it happen. Fortunately for Washington, it wasn’t too late on McKissic.

NFL players are right to back out of verbal deals during this year’s free agency

NFL also stands for “Not For Long.” Free agents definitely have that in mind.

Once millions of dollars start flying around, it can be easy to forget that NFL free agents don’t have to sign on the dotted line because they said they will. Like any person with a regular job, they are still playing the open market.

Verbal agreements are just that: Verbal, non-binding and an open opportunity to seek more compensation if you see your talented pals around the league getting bigger bags of cash.

Nowhere do we have a better reminder of player choice and leverage than this year’s free agency period. Three separate players — J.D. McKissic, Randy Gregory and Za’Darius Smith — have now backed out of deals they said they would sign. Gregory went from re-upping to Dallas to join the Broncos. McKissic pivoted on the Bills and returned to Washington.

But Smith, once set to join Lamar Jackson and the Ravens, encapsulates a clear and welcome trend.

Aside from the awkward tweet deletions from social media teams meaning to promote “their” new players, it’s worth highlighting what three separate professionals reneging on their word means.

Players are right to leverage what minimal power they have as free agents, given the limitations of the CBA. Until you’re officially on someone’s books, play the field as much as possible. In a professional sports league where one injury potentially means the end of your career (and cash flow), you’d be silly not to.

From that perspective, it’s also great that McKissic, Gregory and Smith — three guys in their late 20s who might never see another big NFL contract — happen to be the three case studies. Each tells us something different about the “commitment” of free agency.

First, there’s McKissic. After he was apparently on his way to the Super Bowl favorite Bills on a two-year, $7 million contract, he had a change of heart. He instead stayed in Washington on the same exact terms. Huh? Let me connect the dots for you.

The Bills live and die with Josh Allen’s cybernetic arm. They’re going to throw the ball. A lot. They have one of pro football’s best complements of offensive firepower and already have an established hierarchy of options. If you’re a multi-purpose platoon back like McKissic, who needs to touch the ball often to show your value, it makes more sense to return to the pop-gun Commanders, so you have options when you hit the open market again in a couple of years. Sometimes, it’s about more than signing with a better team. Sometimes, it’s where you, personally, can fare better.

Next, in Gregory’s situation, the Broncos also, quite literally, gave the 29-year-old pass rusher what the Cowboys did.

Five years. $70 million. $28 million guaranteed. That’s weird. What is happening? It doesn’t add up. Oh, wait. The Cowboys reportedly “protected” themselves too much with their version of Gregory’s contract — in that there was likely some sort of easier means to back out of their commitment.

Yeah, I probably wouldn’t sign a contract where my boss could potentially fire me on a whim the moment I tore my ACL or ankle up, either. Like Gregory, I would prefer more security. To each, their own, am I right?

Finally, in Smith’s situation, he saw the forest for the trees. The Ravens gave him $45 million over three years. An amicable agreement for a veteran released by Green Bay. But then some of his edge pass rush contemporaries, Von Miller and Chandler Jones, signed for considerably more. Uh-oh. The writing was on the wall.

Or I guess it wasn’t. And so it’s back into the free-agent pool for Smith, who had unwittingly low-balled himself.

What McKissic, Gregory and Smith are showing during this free agency is a relatively simple concept: Until the ink is on the paper and dry, no one is under any obligation to “honor” their agreements. Get your money and stability whenever you can, especially in a league predicated on putting your body through hell.

[mm-video type=video id=01fycq3z27he4a0ywawf playlist_id=none player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01fycq3z27he4a0ywawf/01fycq3z27he4a0ywawf-419db9b7c8fd04e36cf6c727db6a3180.jpg]

[listicle id=1859601]

J.D. McKissic changes mind, set to return to Commanders

J.D. McKissic will return to the Commanders after all.

With only hours before the new NFL league year begins, the Washington Commanders have some good news to report. Running back J.D. McKissic, who agreed to terms with the Buffalo Bills Tuesday, has changed his mind and will return to the Commanders, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.

According to Schefter, the compensation is the same — a two-year contract worth $7 million.

Washington had wanted to keep McKissic all along, so it was a surprise when he agreed to terms with the Bills. McKissic was Washington’s second-leading receiver in 2021, despite missing six games.

This is terrific news for the Commanders, who keep around one of their top offensive playmakers around new quarterback Carson Wentz.

Earlier Wednesday, it was reported the Commanders were releasing defensive tackle Matt Ioannidis and starting left guard Ereck Flowers. Safety Landon Collins is expected to be a post-June 1 release.

5 reasons why J.D. McKissic will not return to Washington

Here are five possible reasons why J.D. McKissic chose to sign with the Bills rather than return to Washington.

J.D. McKissic will not be back in the Burgundy and Gold next season.
McKissic agreed to a two-year deal Tuesday with the Buffalo Bills for around $7 million.

Many might be asking why McKissic is not returning.
So, here are five “POSSIBLE” reasons Why J.D. McKissic will not be in Washington for the 2022 season.

Commanders 2022 free agency tracker

Tracking all of the 2022 free-agency moves surrounding the Commanders.

The NFL legal tampering period opened Monday, just two days ahead of the new league year, which begins on Wednesday, March 16.

The first week of free agency can be a crazy time around the NFL, and sometimes it is hard to follow. So when it comes to the Washington Commanders, we have you covered with our 2022 free-agency tracker.

Washington made what is likely to be its most significant move last week, trading for quarterback Carson Wentz. The Wentz trade will become official Wednesday at 4:00 p.m ET, as will any other moves made during the early tampering period.

We will update the free-agent tracker every time Washington signs a player, re-signs a player, or any important news around the NFC East.

All free agent information courtesy of OvertheCap.com.