2025 Washington Commanders- All Things Offense

[Chris]

Didn’t Blough say he has a long way to go? Didn’t seem very positive to me lol

At least he didn’t say ‘who?’. 😉 I guess that’s a positive!

 

[Commander Wraith]

I'm not ce

I am not certain dropping weight is going to assist Ben. He was known burst, tested well for a guy his size in the accelerating and supposedly not bad with routes. He is listed 5 pounds lighter than he was when drafted. It seems the issue is the way he needs to fight to get open and may not be that great fighting for a contested catch through using his body, hands, and length to his advantage...I think. lol

The listed weight is surprising to me, thanks for the info. I guess I just assumed he had bulked up a bit because a) it’s kind of natural to do so when you get into a full time football career, especially a position where physicality (ie blocking) is a big factor, and b) the way he moves doesn’t really seem to mesh with his pre-draft testing numbers.
Now, obviously there’s more to getting open than just speed and agility, so as I said, maybe he leans into the nuance of route running going forward and improves there. I don’t think it likely he develops as much as we’d like (enough to be at least a serviceable pass catcher) on that front though.

To be clear (not aimed at you), IMO him developing is a bonus at this point. We can’t go into this season without adding a proven pass catching TE, or at least one with legit potential. Adding 2 would be great in fact, though I think that’s pretty unlikely given our other needs. I’m ok with Sinnott and Yankoff competing for the # 3/4 spots.

 

[DWinzit]

The listed weight is surprising to me, thanks for the info. I guess I just assumed he had bulked up a bit because a) it’s kind of natural to do so when you get into a full time football career, especially a position where physicality (ie blocking) is a big factor, and b) the way he moves doesn’t really seem to mesh with his pre-draft testing numbers.
Now, obviously there’s more to getting open than just speed and agility, so as I said, maybe he leans into the nuance of route running going forward and improves there. I don’t think it likely he develops as much as we’d like (enough to be at least a serviceable pass catcher) on that front though.

To be clear (not aimed at you), IMO him developing is a bonus at this point. We can’t go into this season without adding a proven pass catching TE, or at least one with legit potential. Adding 2 would be great in fact, though I think that’s pretty unlikely given our other needs. I’m ok with Sinnott and Yankoff competing for the # 3/4 spots.

I am with you that we need to get a pass catching TE who can at least contribute in blocking a little. I believe Bates and SInnott are locked for this year due his ability to inline block as well as being so good with the blocking on the move.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

TE is the most glaring hole on offense at the moment because Ertz was such a security blanket and red zone target for Daniels.

Forget upgrading, they have to replace that production before they can think about upgrading.

There is no way anybody on the roster can be counted on to replace Ertz’s production so therefore they have to sign a starter who can at least do what Ertz did.

If they get a player who’s better, all the better. But they need a replacement level player at the bare minimum.

As far as Sinnott goes, who knows. Hes probably a roster lock for now because he is a good blocker and a good athlete. But this clearly it. Either he takes the step forward this year or he won’t be here in 2027.

 

[method man]

TE is the most glaring hole on offense at the moment because Ertz was such a security blanket and red zone target for Daniels.

Forget upgrading, they have to replace that production before they can think about upgrading.

There is no way anybody on the roster can be counted on to replace Ertz’s production so therefore they have to sign a starter who can at least do what Ertz did.

If they get a player who’s better, all the better. But they need a replacement level player at the bare minimum.

As far as Sinnott goes, who knows. Hes probably a roster lock for now because he is a good blocker and a good athlete. But this clearly it. Either he takes the step forward this year or he won’t be here in 2027.

I’m not worried. There are so many guys available in FA. Worst case, you cam get a Okonkwo, Fant, Dulcich or Waller

 

[DWinzit]

I’m not worried. There are so many guys available in FA. Worst case, you cam get a Okonkwo, Fant, Dulcich or Waller

Agreed, pick one you like and sign him. One positional need checked off the draft board.

 

[DWinzit]

TE is the most glaring hole on offense at the moment because Ertz was such a security blanket and red zone target for Daniels.

Forget upgrading, they have to replace that production before they can think about upgrading.

There is no way anybody on the roster can be counted on to replace Ertz’s production so therefore they have to sign a starter who can at least do what Ertz did.

If they get a player who’s better, all the better. But they need a replacement level player at the bare minimum.

As far as Sinnott goes, who knows. Hes probably a roster lock for now because he is a good blocker and a good athlete. But this clearly it. Either he takes the step forward this year or he won’t be here in 2027.

Outside of the red zone Ekeler was also his security blanket and then Deebo.

They can't rely on a 30 year old RB with an injury history, a 35 year old TE and a 30 year old WR with injury history to be Jaydens security blankets.

Now I imagine only Deebo of the group might be back. This is a good thing. It's on AP to deliver new blankets all around

 

[Conn]

Keim has said a couple times now he thinks Deebo might be too expensive for them. It’s a thin WR market, I would take that as there’s a good chance they go in another direction and choose to overspend elsewhere (because they’ll need to)

 

[Conn]

Big reason Kliff is gone and decided to spend a year in the McVay brain bubble after not getting any job offers of note.

For anyone confused by the chart, heavy personnel, play action, under center, and motion usage grade positively.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Keim has said a couple times now he thinks Deebo might be too expensive for them. It’s a thin WR market, I would take that as there’s a good chance they go in another direction and choose to overspend elsewhere (because they’ll need to)

Feels that way to me, too. I think they'd chase Alec Pierce if he hits FA and even if he does hit FA, we don't know if they land him. Ditto Saheed.

Will see how FA goes but if it goes as I think it might, WR might loom larger in the draft.

 

[HTTR]

Big reason Kliff is gone and decided to spend a year in the McVay brain bubble after not getting any job offers of note.

For anyone confused by the chart, heavy personnel, play action, under center, and motion usage grade positively.

Interesting we see KC and Philly, even with all their talent, are near the bottom of the chart and sure enough both offenses under achieved this year. Meanwhile, most of the better offenses in the league are right near the top of the chart.

One exception is Cincinnati, but I suppose you could argue that they are underachieving as well given all the high salary talent on the unit.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

I’m not worried. There are so many guys available in FA. Worst case, you cam get a Okonkwo, Fant, Dulcich or Waller

I didn't say I was worried. But it's a thing they have to do no matter what.

I'd personally prefer if they not only replace but upgrade the position. I'm not sure who that is. But having a really good TE really helps with the PA game and creates vertical space in the middle of the field if they can take advantage of the seam in the defense.

I'm not worried. But I am curious what they do, because they HAVE to do something.

 

[Whiskeypeet]

Feels that way to me, too. I think they'd chase Alec Pierce if he hits FA and even if he does hit FA, we don't know if they land him. Ditto Saheed.

Will see how FA goes but if it goes as I think it might, WR might loom larger in the draft.

I am terrified they leave free agency without some answers at WR. Even if it just a band-aid approach, something must be done prior to the draft. While TE is also a major problem, it seems easier to address in FA. I don't know how we can come out of FA without at least signing one of Pierce, Dobbs, or Jennings. Even if we get one of them, we probably need to sign a couple of the OZ, Dyami, Nailor, Atwell, types. Aiyuk can also be in consideration, but know way he should be counted on.

Can anyone imagine what it will be like if Terry gets hurt again and we've got Luke, Lane, and Burks types holding down the fort? This is an alarming situation that could derail Jayden's development. God help us if we leave next season wondering who our next QB should be.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I am terrified they leave free agency without some answers at WR. Even if it just a band-aid approach, something must be done prior to the draft. While TE is also a major problem, it seems easier to address in FA. I don't know how we can come out of FA without at least signing one of Pierce, Dobbs, or Jennings. Even if we get one of them, we probably need to sign a couple of the OZ, Dyami, Nailor, Atwell, types. Aiyuk can also be in consideration, but know way he should be counted on.

Can anyone imagine what it will be like if Terry gets hurt again and we've got Luke, Lane, and Burks types holding down the fort? This is an alarming situation that could derail Jayden's development. God help us if we leave next season wondering who our next QB should be.

Agree. They need to take receiver very seriously. I commented on this elsewhere but when Kurt Warner did his video about how he thought Jayden regressed and developed bad habits. Keim and Sheehan responded saying hearing from team sources, yeah but its because his receivers aren't running the right routes and that has changed Jayden's style not some natural regression. That's cool that they have an explanation but that's a bad look for Peters. The receiving corp last year was a joke.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Feels that way to me, too. I think they'd chase Alec Pierce if he hits FA and even if he does hit FA, we don't know if they land him. Ditto Saheed.

Will see how FA goes but if it goes as I think it might, WR might loom larger in the draft.

I agree. WR is thin. I posted this a while ago, there just aren't a lot of really good options that bring what they need.

Which might be why they end up over-paying for Deebo.

One way or the other, they have to sign 2 "active roster" caliber WRs early in FA. Because right now you have:
- McLaurin: #1 WR
- ...
- McCaffery: Can't be counted on and might be competing for a roster spot
- Lane: Currently good ST player with a ton of speed but not a good WR. That could change. But it can't be counted on.
- Treylon Burks: Has talent, but there's a reason they were able to pick him up mid-season
- Some practice squad level players.

That's it. That's the list.

They need, at the very least, 2 "active roster" guys even before the draft. That means they might have to convince Deebo to stay and sign another guy who could make the roster, and then draft a guy.

I get that Deebo might be too expensive, but they might be forced into doing something they don't want to do because the market is so thin.

The biggest bummer of this is McCaffery hasn't developed into anything dependable. If he did, then at least it would be something, but he hasn't. Lane really might develop into a heck of a player. He's only in year 2, clearly has talent and speed.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Agree. They need to take receiver very seriously. I commented on this elsewhere but when Kurt Warner did his video about how he thought Jayden regressed and developed bad habits. Keim and Sheehan responded saying hearing from team sources, yeah but its because his receivers aren't running the right routes and that has changed Jayden's style not some natural regression. That's cool that they have an explanation but that's a bad look for Peters. The receiving corp last year was a joke.

Part of this is injury, part is Terry's holdout, but our WR's last year were, to steal a quote from John Riggins, not professional grade.

We were playing with PS level players getting 60-90% of the snaps in most games. That's just bananas. Not by design, but that's the way it turned out.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Interesting we see KC and Philly, even with all their talent, are near the bottom of the chart and sure enough both offenses under achieved this year. Meanwhile, most of the better offenses in the league are right near the top of the chart.

One exception is Cincinnati, but I suppose you could argue that they are underachieving as well given all the high salary talent on the unit.

We had a top 5 offense in 2024 and we would have probably been at the bottom of the chart last year.

There are a lot of ways to do offense. I posted this elsewhere, but the NFL is cyclical. Under-center, traditional play action is in vogue at the moment. It wasn't 5 years ago and it probably won't be 5 years from now. But it might be in 10 years.

Once defenses adapt better to this, then offenses will go more to what we saw with the spread/gun type offenses, then defenses will adjust, and offenses will go more to power/stretch play action style offenses. Until defenses adjust again.... And on it will go.

 

[Whiskeypeet]

I agree. WR is thin. I posted this a while ago, there just aren't a lot of really good options that bring what they need.

Which might be why they end up over-paying for Deebo.

That means they might have to convince Deebo to stay and sign another guy who could make the roster, and then draft a guy.

I get that Deebo might be too expensive, but they might be forced into doing something they don't want to do because the market is so thin.

The biggest bummer of this is McCaffery hasn't developed into anything dependable. If he did, then at least it would be something, but he hasn't. Lane really might develop into a heck of a player. He's only in year 2, clearly has talent and speed.

Apologies for chopping your post, just getting it down to the Deebo points.

Why would we re-sign Deebo when he does not fit what Jayden needs most? Jayden's super power is the deep ball, Deebo doesn't do it...not his game. How does getting him back on an overpay make sense? Wouldn't it be better to overpay another player that at least fits the mold of what Jayden needs?

We saw much lesser talents in OZ and Dyami have better success with JD5 than Deebo. I can only imagine re-signing Deebo in an all-in move by AP after he gets a true #2 to complement Terry. Deebo is just a complementary/gadget type.

 

[Whiskeypeet]

Agree. They need to take receiver very seriously. I commented on this elsewhere but when Kurt Warner did his video about how he thought Jayden regressed and developed bad habits. Keim and Sheehan responded saying hearing from team sources, yeah but its because his receivers aren't running the right routes and that has changed Jayden's style not some natural regression. That's cool that they have an explanation but that's a bad look for Peters. The receiving corp last year was a joke.

I've read your comments in other threads and 100% agree. If AP leaves this offseason w/out doing something major to improve JD's weapons, I'll be out on him.

Back on ES, I commented on my dissatisfaction with AP's 1st FA class because he didn't do more to shore up the o-line. Then, my concern was about protecting the investment in the QB that was about to be drafted, the concern remains the same now that we know who the QB is (but kudos to AP for improving the o-line since that time). The disaster scenario is looking for a new QB after next season, a complete disaster and none of what we think about AP or DQ will matter. They will have submarined our most important asset and they will be finished.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Apologies for chopping your post, just getting it down to the Deebo points.

Why would we re-sign Deebo when he does not fit what Jayden needs most? Jayden's super power is the deep ball, Deebo doesn't do it...not his game. How does getting him back on an overpay make sense? Wouldn't it be better to overpay another player that at least fits the mold of what Jayden needs?

We saw much lesser talents in OZ and Dyami have better success with JD5 than Deebo. I can only imagine re-signing Deebo in an all-in move by AP after he gets a true #2 to complement Terry. Deebo is just a complementary/gadget type.

I'm not entirely sure that's accurate.

In 2024:
OZ: 45 receptions for 506 yards
NBrown: 35 receptions for 453 yards (11 games)
DBrown: 30 receptions for 308 yards

Deebo was 72 receptions for 727 yards last year. (16 games) So better than any receiver from 2024 except McLaurin.

And he was essentially playing out of position most of the year, because he's supposed to be the "move around hard to cover guy" but because McLaurin and NBrown were hurt most of the year, he ended up playing that role. And, honestly, not badly.

If he was part of a 3 man group, with McLaurin and somebody else who could play on the outside, and you could move him around, that might be just what Daniels needs.

I'm not wedded to bringing him back. But also, I don't think we should undersell what he did. He was pretty good for us. He was also hurt (a heel, I think?) for a bit. And mostly played through it.

You're right about one thing though, they shouldn't plan on Deebo being the second outside guy. That's not his jam. And that wasn't supposed to be his role last year. NBrown was supposed to play opposite McClaurin, and Deebo was supposed to roam around, get some of the quick hit stuff, move all over the place.

That all went out the window with Terry missing 7 games and Noah Brown missing almost the entire season.