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One of the best and most comprehensive features we offer every year is our Footballguys Preseason Updates. Every week this month, Dave Kluge, Clayton Gray, and their team of Footballguys Staffers cover every player that matters from every NFL team. It's 32-plus pages of some of the most comprehensive coverage you'll find. It's probably worth the Footballguys Premium Subscription by itself.
Updates from Week 4
Preseason Updates: Quarterbacks
Jayden Daniels had an excellent summer, by any measure. He is healthy and has been sharp in individual drills, team work, and joint practices. The Commanders understandably kept him out of preseason action, limiting him to a single three-snap series against Detroit, as risking his health on meaningless snaps would be foolish. Daniels showed complete command of new offensive coordinator David Blough's system, operating seamlessly under center and making pre-snap adjustments at the line of scrimmage. Blough noted that Washington tracked every summer throw and confirmed Daniels was as accurate and efficient as ever. Daniels' excellence is somewhat overshadowed by alarmingly bad offensive line play, as Washington is without its starting left tackle and center. The key to Daniels matching his preseason sharpness in the regular season hinges entirely on whether the front office can fix the offensive line with some astute roster moves and waiver claims in the coming weeks. Marcus Mariota has been dealing with an MCL sprain but is safely entrenched as the backup once healthy. Seventh-round rookie Athan Kaliakmanis earned the third quarterback spot after showing a willing downfield arm throughout exhibition play, cementing Washington's decision to carry all three passers on the 53-man roster.
Preseason Updates: Running Backs
It has been hard to get a solid read on the coaches' ideal plans for the backfield, but the tea leaves suggest Jacory Croskey-Merritt will get the first shot as the unimpeded starter while veteran Rachaad White will play a complementary role, primarily on obvious passing downs. The third spot goes to rookie Kaytron Allen, who went back and forth with Robert Henry Jr. before Allen's higher ceiling and fewer liabilities earned him the nod. Allen flashed with an 85-yard, one-touchdown game against Miami before coughing up a fumble against Baltimore, but his sixth-round draft capital and power earned him the spot. Washington officially locked in that trio of Croskey-Merritt, White, and Allen for the initial roster. Henry impressed early with his speed but remains ticketed for the practice squad after cutdowns. Veteran Jeremy McNichols missed most of camp with a severe quad injury and was placed on injured reserve, while Washington released Jerome Ford with an injury settlement earlier in August.
