Commanders sign WR Olamide Zaccheaus

The Commanders add their first wide receiver of the offseason.

Not only were the Commanders meeting with Drake Maye at the UNC pro day on Thursday, but they also signed wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus.

The former Virginia Cavalier was undrafted in 2019 but signed by the Falcons. During his four seasons with the Falcons (2019-2022), he started 23 games, contributing 94 receptions for 1,328 yards (14.1), 8 touchdowns, and 65 first downs. Here are some NFL highlights of Zaccheaus.

Zaccheaus’s signing with the Commanders might not be that much of a surprise, seeing as he spent the 2023 season with the Eagles. Brian Johnson, the Commanders’ passing game coordinator/assistant head coach, served as the Eagles’ offensive coordinator last season and must have developed a relationship with Zaccheaus.

Last season as an Eagle, Zaccheaus made one start and caught 10 passes for 164 yards (16.4), resulting in 2 touchdowns and 7 first downs. Following his 2022 season with the Falcons, he filed for free agency in March of 2023 and one month later signed with the Eagles.

Zaccheaus will turn 27 in July and has also spent considerable time on special teams. In the 2019 season, he recovered a fumble for a touchdown. He also achieved the longest reception during the 2019 season of 93 yards.

Former Eagles WR Olamide Zaccheaus agrees to deal with Commanders

Former Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus has agreed to a deal with the Washington Commanders

The Commanders have already added former Eagles Brian Johnson (assistant) and Marcus Mariota (QB), and we can now add Olamide Zaccheaus to the group.

Washington has a new head coach, Dan Quinn, and a talented offensive play-caller, former Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury.

Zaccheaus finished the year with ten catches for 164 yards and a pair of touchdowns in 17 regular-season games.

Zaccheaus was targeted 53 and 61 times in his final two seasons in Atlanta, but that number dropped to 20 after his move to Philadelphia. He went without a target in six games and without a catch nine times.

LOOK: Images from LSU QB Jayden Daniels’ pro day

Sights and sounds from Jayden Daniels’ pro day.

On Wednesday, the NFL world convened in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for LSU’s pro day ahead of the 2024 NFL draft.

The Tigers should have three first-round picks in next month’s draft, all on the offensive side of the ball. Quarterback Jayden Daniels could go as high as No. 2 overall to the Washington Commanders, while wide receiver Malik Nabers could go as high as No. 4.

Fellow wide receiver Brian Thomas should land somewhere among the top 20.

Of course, the focus was primarily on Daniels, who worked out for NFL scouts and coaches. All of the teams in search of a quarterback were in attendance, including the Commanders’ brass.

Washington’s general manager Adam Peters, head coach Dan Quinn, and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury represented the team. After Daniels’ workout, Washington was one of the teams scheduled to meet with the Heisman Trophy winner.

Kingsbury was spending time with Daniels’ QB coach at pro day.

Meanwhile, Peters, like he did at Caleb Williams’ pro day at USC, stepped up to “dap” Daniels.

Did Quinn and Peters find their quarterback?

Daniels was fired up for Nabers’ 40-yard dash.

Six head coaches and six GMs were in attendance.

Washington Commanders sign former Wisconsin offensive lineman

Washington Commanders sign former Wisconsin offensive lineman

Former Wisconsin Badgers offensive lineman Michael Deiter and the Washington Commanders agreed on a contract Monday.

Deiter spent the 2023 NFL campaign with the Houston Texans, but he now joins his third NFL team. He will reunite with former Badgers teammate center Tyler Biadasz, who signed with the Commanders this offseason as well.

While in Madison, Deiter played all three offensive line positions (center, guard and tackle) between 2014-2018, starting alongside Biadasz. Deiter went on to be selected in the third round (78th overall) of the 2019 NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins. He’ll look to carve out a consistent role on Dan Quinn’s offensive line with the Commanders.

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Commanders coach Dan Quinn was a bouncer in college

Dan Quinn’s impressive resume includes his time as a bouncer in college.

If you looked across the NFL at every head coach and guessed which one was a bouncer in a previous life, which coach would you name?

If you said Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn, you’d be correct. In an interview with JP Finlay of NBC Washington at this week’s NFL Annual League Meeting, Quinn discussed his hectic first 50+ days on the job, including going from evaluating his new roster to free agency.

Now, Quinn and general manager Adam Peters are in full draft evaluation mode.

While Finlay kept it mostly serious with Quinn, he did ask him about attending college at Salisbury University in Salisbury, Maryland, about 30 minutes from one of the East Coast’s most popular vacation spots, Ocean City.

Quinn acknowledged he had a lot of fun during his college days, where he was so good that he ended up in the school’s Hall of Fame. He said Ocean City was a lot of fun and a place where he had some cool summer jobs, one of which included being a bouncer.

Quinn noted he was a bouncer at more than one local bar, to which Finlay replied:

“If you were the bouncer, I would have behaved,” Finlay joked.

Quinn’s reply: “They didn’t.”

In looking back at Quinn’s time as a player at Salisbury, there is this legendary photo.

Quinn certainly looked the part of a bouncer — or pro wrestler.

Jayden Daniels discusses possibility of landing with the Commanders

Daniels discusses the possibility of going No. 2 overall to the Commanders.

There is a lot of speculation regarding LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels going No. 2 overall to the Washington Commanders in next month’s 2024 NFL draft.

Of course, some believe North Carolina’s Drake Maye will end up in Washington, while there are some who think Commanders general manager Adam Peters may surprise everyone and choose Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy.

USC quarterback Caleb Williams will go No. 1 to the Chicago Bears, meaning the fun will begin at No. 2 with the Commanders. The speculation is fun, but no one knows which way Peters is leaning, who said earlier this week Washington doesn’t have a clue yet.

On Wednesday, Daniels had his pro day. By all accounts, he had a terrific performance. After his pro day, Daniels spoke with Cameron Wolfe of the NFL Network, where he discussed a number of topics, including possibly being drafted by Washington.

“Yeah, a little bit,” Daniels said when asked if he’s had a chance to talk to Washington. “It’s a great feeling to be blessed enough to be picked that high. Obviously, what they’re doing is they’ve got a new regime and everything like that. As the process goes on, we’ll have more conversations with everything, but from there, it’s just getting into that work. Whoever drafts me, an organization that believes in me and thinks I can lead them to Super Bowls.”

You gotta give it to Daniels; he played it cool, saying all the right things.

A native of San Bernardino, California, Daniels began his college career at Arizona State, where he played for three seasons. It was there that he met current Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce, who was a linebackers coach/recruiting coordinator for the Sun Devils at the time. Pierce raved about Daniels earlier this week, and many believe the Raiders would love to move up from No. 13 to select Daniels, but that may be impossible.

Daniels didn’t even tip his hand about potentially reuniting with Pierce.

Whether Daniels lands in Washington or not, it’s doubtful that he slides past No. 3, where the New England Patriots select. The Patriots could either draft Daniels or auction the pick to the highest bidder.

Commanders will meet with Drake Maye ahead of pro day

Next up for Washington brass is some time with Drake Maye ahead of his pro day.

It’s been another busy week for Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn. The duo spent Monday and Tuesday at the NFL’s Annual League Meeting before hopping on a plane to Baton Rouge to watch LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels’ pro day.

Daniels is one of three quarterbacks under consideration for Washington’s first-round pick—No. 2 overall—after the Chicago Bears likely select USC quarterback Caleb Williams.

Washington attended Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s pro day last week in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and had dinner with him ahead of his workout.

Next up is North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye. The Tar Heels will hold their pro day on Thursday and, of course, Washington will be in attendance. Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, along with Peters and Quinn, will meet with Maye on Thursday morning before his workout, according to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated.

What does this mean? Absolutely nothing. This is another case in which Peters and the Commanders do their due diligence on each of the top prospects. Peters and Quinn said this week they have no clue who their pick would be if they had to choose right now. Considering how committed they are to the process, you should believe him. Every pro day, every meeting matters to Washington in its search for the next quarterback.

LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels’ pro day a success with Commanders in attendance

A good day for Jayden Daniels with all of the NFL in attendance.

The much-anticipated weigh-in quickly history as he stepped on the scale, and it read 210 pounds.

Jayden Daniels, the LSU quarterback, raised concerns at the NFL Scouting Combine when he declined to weigh in, virtually assuring everyone interested that he did not actually weigh the 210 pounds the LSU roster had claimed during the season.

Being the only quarterback who did not weigh in at the Combine, no doubt there has been a concerted effort for Daniels to gain weight this offseason. His camp was most likely very pleased he was at least up to 210 by Wednesday’s LSU pro day.

Reports are his workout was very scripted, with very few three and five-step drop throws. Not to be negative, but one does wonder, if you know the pro game is going to be much more detailed, such as involving three and five-step drops, why not be working on those enough this offseason to display them in your pro day workout?

A real positive not to be overlooked was Daniels’ measurement at 6-foot-3 and one-half inch. No doubt interested teams were glad to see Daniels’ height, as seeing over the offensive and defensive lines is a tremendous help for an NFL quarterback.

Daniels threw many short, intermediate and some long passes, enough that he displayed enough arm strength and touch to please the interested teams. His throwing motion was smooth; nothing seemed forced in his motion. It was a good showing for Daniels. Here is every throw by Daniels from earlier today.

Interested NFL teams met with Daniels following his on-field workout, which lasted approximately 20 minutes. This serves as another opportunity for both parties to get to know each other a bit more during this NFL Draft process.

What teams attended the LSU workout? Early reports are those viewing along with the Commanders were the Giants, Patriots, Saints, Raiders, and the Bears.

Yes, the Chicago Bears. Might the Bears still be considering drafting Daniels?

Interested teams will travel immediately to the North Carolina pro day, which is scheduled for Thursday. The major focus for the Commanders, of course, will be quarterback Drake Maye.

There is no rest for the NFL weary this week.

NFL adopts new kickoff rule for 2024

The NFL hopes the new rule will lead to more returns. Who could the Commanders turn to as their kick returner in 2024?

The kickoff was once one of the most exciting plays in the NFL. However, with all the injuries over the years, rules were adopted that minimized the kickoff in recent years.

On Tuesday, the NFL owners approved a new hybrid rule that completely changes the kickoff in hopes of making it an important part of the game again but also keeping it safe.

Here’s this directly from the NFL:

  • By Competition Committee; for one year only, amends Rule 6, to create a new form of a free kick play that is designed to: (1) resemble a typical scrimmage play by aligning players on both teams closer together and restricting movement to reduce space and speed; and (2) promote more returns. Permits the Replay Official automatically review whether a free kick legally touched the ground or a receiving team player in the landing zone.

Essentially, the 2024 season is a trial run for this new rule and the league will reexamine again next March.

NFL.com went more in-depth on the new rule.

Kickoffs will remain at the 35-yard line, but the remaining 10 players on the kicking unit will line up at the opposing team’s 40-yard line. The receiving team lines up with at least seven players in the “set-up zone,” a five-yard area between their own 35- and 30-yard lines, with a maximum of two returners can line up in the landing zone.

After the ball is kicked, the kicker cannot cross the 50-yard line and the 10 kicking team players cannot move until the ball hits the ground or a player in the landing zone or goes into the end zone. The receiving team’s players in the set-up zone also cannot move until the kick has hit the ground or a player in the landing zone or the end zone. The returner(s) may move at any time before or during the kickoff.

Penalties on scoring plays also will not carry over and will be taken on the point after attempt. On any penalty that carries over to kickoffs, the set-up and landing zones will not change, nor will the alignment of the 10 kickoff team players and all the receiving team players — only the kicker’s positioning move.

Kickoff scenarios:

  • Kickoffs that hit the landing zone must be returned.
  • Kickoffs that hit the landing zone and then go into the end zone must be returned or downed by the receiving team. If downed, the receiving team would get the ball at its own 20-yard line.
  • Kickoffs that go into the end zone and stay inbounds that are downed would give the receiving team the ball at their own 30-yard line. Kickoffs that go out of the back of the end zone (in the air or bounces) would also be a touchback at the receiving team’s 30-yard line.
  • Kickoffs short of the landing zone would be treated like a kickoff out of bounds, and the receiving team would get the ball at its own 40-yard line.

The legislation also will lead to a tweak in onside kicks, which can only occur in the fourth quarter and onward when a team trails. The kicking team must declare its intent to onside kick.

On the same day as the NFL approved the kickoff rule, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed one of the NFL’s best returners, Cordarrelle Patterson, to a two-year deal. The 33-year-old is entering his 12th NFL season in 2024 and has 22 career receiving touchdowns, 16 rushing touchdowns and has returned nine kickoffs for touchdowns. When you consider how the league has limited the kickoff in recent years, those nine touchdowns are impressive.

Will Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters add a dynamic player to the roster in hopes of boosting the team’s kick return game? Antonio Gibson returned kickoff the past two seasons, but he is gone. Veteran wide receiver Jamison Crowder returned punts in 2023, but is unlikely to return kicks.

A name to watch is Kazmeir Allen. Undrafted out of UCLA last season, Allen remained on Washington’s practice squad all of last season. He re-signed with the Commanders this offseason. During his time at UCLA, Allen returned 39 kickoffs at an average of 27 yards per return and had one touchdown.

Washington’s new special teams coach, Larry Izzo, is one of the NFL’s best and will certainly look to prioritize the return game in 2024.

Did the Seahawks or Commanders get the better end of the Sam Howell trade?

Another viewpoint on the Commanders’ trade of Sam Howell.

The Washington Commanders traded quarterback Sam Howell to the Seattle Seahawks earlier this month in a pick swap that gave Washington the No. 78 overall pick in next month’s 2024 NFL draft.

Seattle gave the Commanders third and fifth-round choices in exchange for fourth and sixth-round picks. Most liked the trade for both teams. Howell, who started all 17 games last season, wouldn’t start for the Commanders in 2024 with a new regime. Holding the No. 2 overall pick gave Washington a chance to draft its quarterback for the future.

From the Commanders’ perspective, it gave them another day-two pick to surround their next quarterback. As for Seattle, it was a small price to pay for a backup quarterback with starting experience. The Seahawks have veteran Geno Smith at quarterback, but some believe Howell could push him.

While most loved the trade for the Commanders, Kevin Patra of NFL.com saw things differently.

He gave the Seahawks an A- and the Commanders a C+.

I like this move by Seattle after Drew Lock left for the New York Giants. The Seahawks received a backup QB with starting experience by moving down a couple of rounds. That’s smart shopping. Not only that, but Howell will count less than $1 million on the cap in 2024 and $1.1 million in 2025, per Over The Cap. Howell played well in spurts, but things started to unravel down the stretch as defenses got more tape on the UNC product. The start of his career has some parallels to Lock’s. Howell turned it over a lot (as did Lock), including 21 INTs in 17 starts in 2023, but he also put up nearly 4,000 yards passing behind a bad offensive line. If Geno Smith gets injured, Howell has enough game play to keep the ship from sinking. The 23-year-old’s skill set should also mesh well with OC Ryan Grubb. Given the low cost — in picks and dollars — Howell’s presence also wouldn’t stop Seattle from adding a rookie QB to the mix this year or next.

The market for backup quarterbacks wasn’t great, particularly given how many we saw play significant snaps last season. Netting a 24-spot move-up and a 27-spot move-up in this year’s draft barely moves the needle for a QB with 18 games of starting experience. Yet, Howell was a former fifth-round pick, not a first-rounder like others who were traded this offseason. The move clears the way for Washington to use the No. 2 overall pick on a quarterback with Marcus Mariota as the veteran mentor. Given the film Mariota put up the past couple of seasons, I’d rather have Howell available if my backup needed actually to play, but from an experience/mentor standpoint, the Commanders’ decision is understandable. The deal also gives Washington six picks in the top 100, which is needed ammo for a club that still requires depth and playmaking after a busy free-agency period.

Patra isn’t wrong here. Many others believed there were better backup options than Mariota, and if you had Howell under a cheap contract for two more seasons, then why not keep him?

The Commanders and general manager, Adam Peters, view Mariota as a perfect mentor/backup. Mariota is a former No. 2 overall pick and has had his highs and lows since entering the NFL. It’s important to remember no one knows if Mariota was Washington’s first choice for a veteran backup.

Howell belongs in the NFL. There is still the potential for him to be a starting quarterback, but that wasn’t happening in Washington. Ultimately, this was a good deal for both sides.