The Washington Commanders are firmly in win-now mode. Every cliché that implies urgency—mortgaging the future, throwing caution to the wind, pushing all the chips in—applies here. With a budding superstar quarterback on a rookie contract, the organization appears committed to making a serious run while the financial window remains open. How will this affect Jayden Daniels ' fantasy outlook for 2025 and beyond? Let's dig in.
Why it matters: Jayden Daniels gets a huge upgrade at WR2.
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A Star is Born
The Commanders opened the 2024 season with a rookie quarterback ranked as the consensus QB12. They finished with the overall QB5, who also earned AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and became the league's second-most prolific quarterback rusher with 891 yards, outpacing the likes of Breece Hall , Brian Robinson Jr ., and David Montgomery . Washington's front office seems to have shouted carpe diem , and concluded: "This kid's a budding superstar. We should make hay while the sun's shining on his rookie deal."Key Offseason Moves
The Commanders poured draft capital and resources into supporting their sophomore signal-caller.1) Acquired Left Tackle Laremy Tunsil as Daniels' Blindside Protector
Washington received Tunsil and 2025 pick 128 from the Houston Texans, giving up 2025 picks 93 and 236, and their 2026 second- and fourth-rounders in return. "The best move [Washington] made this offseason was trading for Laremy Tunsil, the five-time Pro Bowl left tackle," NFL Analyst Marcus Mosher said . "Tunsil will turn 31 this offseason, but he is still among the best pass-blocking tackles in the NFL. Left tackle was an area of concern for the Commanders last year, and Tunsil will instantly be their best starter." While Tunsil led the league with 19 penalties last season, his pass-blocking ranked fourth among 141 tackles. He'll provide a substantial upgrade over Brandon Coleman, who finished 72nd in the pass-blocking category and will compete with rookie Josh Conerly for a starting role on the right side. Why it matters: Jayden Daniels will have more time in the pocket and get top-shelf blocking when he takes off on left-side scrambles or designed runs.Deebo Samuel Sr.
Washington acquired Deebo Samuel Sr. from the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round pick. His contract was restructured to include $17 million guaranteed in 2025, with up to $3 million in additional incentives. The 29-year-old Samuel expressed enthusiasm about his deal: "I've got to give it my all. I've got to do all the things that I need to do to be the best version of myself when I come here."Why it matters: Jayden Daniels gets a huge upgrade at WR2.
