Back to the Preseason Updates Landing Page.
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 1
Preseason Updates: Quarterbacks
Above all else, Jayden Daniels is healthy, and that reality sets the tone for a training camp tasked with learning an entirely new offense under first-time coordinator OC David Blough. The 2024 NFC Offensive Rookie of the Year missed significant time due to injuries last season, but after shaking off early rust, his performance over the past week has been thoroughly encouraging. Daniels is executing cleanly in both individual and team drills, showcasing pinpoint accuracy alongside world-class mobility. HC Dan Quinn highlighted ball placement as one of his "superpowers," noting after a deep touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin, "There was a deep ball to Terry that was completed just in probably the best location... that's not luck." Tight end Chig Okonkwo echoed that confidence, stating, "With him, it's really easy. You just got to be where you're supposed to be, and he'll find you with that accurate ball." Backup Marcus Mariota had a less encouraging start with an early end-zone interception, but he quickly rebounded with a strong red-zone period that featured three consecutive touchdown passes. The Commanders know what they have in the veteran signal-caller.
Preseason Updates: Running Backs
Those hoping for a single workhorse to emerge may be out of luck, as incumbent Jacory Croskey-Merritt is off to a strong start alongside veteran free agent Rachaad White. Quinn is leaning into a committee approach to keep his backfield versatile. Croskey-Merritt, who led the team with 805 rushing yards and eight touchdowns as a rookie last season, bulked up to expand his impact in the passing game. He embraced that push from the coaching staff, saying, "I can do more than just run the ball. I wanna be able to catch out of the backfield, be able to block and run. I just want to be a jack of all trades." White provides a proven dual-threat dynamic, voicing trust in his former college teammate: "Why I think he's the best quarterback I played with, it's the way he moves, the way he has poise." Meanwhile, rookie sixth-rounder Kaytron Allen is mounting a serious bid for the RB3 job. After a quiet start, Allen displayed his physical, "battering ram" running style once the pads came on, breaking tackles for a touchdown and catching the ball cleanly out of the backfield. That push gives Allen an opportunity to carve out a distinct short-yardage role over veterans Jerome Ford and Jeremy McNichols.
