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Daily Slop – 13 May 24: Daniels, MR-J, Wiley, and Anusiem – Commanders rookies dominate the weekend headlines

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Colorado State v Colorado
Defensive back Chigozie Anusiem #1 of the Colorado State Rams celebrates a defensive play in the first overtime period against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field on September 16, 2023 in Boulder, Colorado. | Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images

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Riggo’s Rag

How is Jayden Daniels handling lofty Commanders’ expectations?

Jayden Daniels knows what a big responsibility awaits.

This is the opening step in what should hopefully become a profitable career in the nation’s capital. While some wilt under the pressure and perhaps change their approach, Daniels is taking everything in his stride, embracing the challenge, and relying on what’s gotten him this far based on comments via Fan Nation.

“Yeah, I mean, it’s just a franchise that’s eager. To be able to go out there and try to help the team win football games. And obviously it’s new, everything here. The DMV fan base, everybody, they want to see wins, they want to see excitement, want to see joy. So, hopefully, we could go out there and we could do it as a Commanders franchise, as a team. But you know that’s way down the road. We worried about rookie minicamp and practice tomorrow. So just go out there and just be myself. Try to make connections, you know, talk to people obviously. I’m 23. It’s a lot of different age ranges in this locker room. So, trying to relate as much as possible. Show them I’m all about the team, I’m all about hard work and I’m just here to get better each and every day.”

The Heisman Trophy winner out of LSU is a student of the game, so he’ll know what a sleeping giant this is already. It’s not going to be an overnight surge into Super Bowl consideration, but there’s an aura around Daniels that hasn’t been seen in the Commanders’ quarterback room for years.

Riggo’s Rag

3 winners (and 1 loser) from Commanders 2024 rookie minicamp

It was a fascinating start to their NFL journeys.

Winner No. 1 – Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint – Commanders WR

Coming in as an undrafted free agent can be a daunting challenge. After failing to hear their names called, it’s a case of working from the bottom up in pursuit of practice squad places or perhaps entering strong consideration to make the 53-man roster.

Offseason workouts provide an opportunity to stand out. This is something Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint managed to accomplish on Day 1 with a phenomenal one-handed grab – an unbelievable effort that won’t go unnoticed by offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and his staff.

Rosemy-Jacksaint is off to a promising start and there does seem to be an opening in the wide receiver room if he can continue to build momentum. Those who were unaware of the former Georgia star previously will be watching his progress closely after making the best possible first impression as a Washington Commanders player.

Commanders Wire

Dan Quinn already a big fan of Commanders undrafted rookie wide receiver?

McLaurin, Dotson and third-round pick Luke McCaffrey are the only players guaranteed to make Washington’s 53-man roster. From there, multiple players will battle this summer for at least three positions.

One of those players is UDFA Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint. The 6-foot-1 rookie was a part of two national championship teams at Georgia, catching 63 passes and six touchdowns over his final two college seasons.

And it appears that Rosemy-Jacksaint already has the attention of head coach Dan Quinn.

This is the time of year when you want to stand out in front of coaches. Rosemy-Jacksaint put the spotlight on himself on the very first day of practice for the rookies. Now, coaches will be paying even closer attention to him throughout OTAs, mandatory minicamp and training camp.

Commanders.com

11 things to know about Washington’s 11 UDFAs

9. Michael Wiley knows how to score.

Though injuries plagued Wiley’s final season (he appeared in 10 games with seven starts), no one can deny Wiley’s production with the ball in his hands. He amassed 2,862 yards in five seasons, averaging 5.1 yards per carry on the ground and 9.3 as a pass-catcher.

But perhaps Wiley’s best skill set is figuring out how to get in the end zone. He had 28 touchdowns in his college career, averaging a score every 16.3 touches.

Burgundy & Gold Report

UDFA Edition: What Chigozie Anusiem Brings to the Table | WASHINGTON COMMANDERS ROOKIE SERIES

In 2023 Anusiem started 11 games, only missing one game vs Wyoming. He finished the season with 57 tackles (35 solo), 2.5 tackles for a loss, 1 interception and 2 passes defended.

He registered a career high 111 tackles vs UNLV (10/21) and recorded his first collegiate interception vs Boise State (10/14). Anusiem was an All-Mountain West Honorable mention for his efforts.

The Colorado State cornerback is the most likely of Washington’s UDFA to make the final roster. Corners Benjamin St-Juste, Emmanuel Forbes, S/CB Quan Martin and Mike Sainristil (rookie) are the likely roster locks.

It’s believed that the Rams cornerback also has the versatility to lineup at safety. Although Washington’s safety room is crowded, HC Dan Quinn has mentioned that 3-safety sets will be utilized.

Anusiem is a high ceiling defensive back prospect that requires refinement. In saying that, if he can quickly adapt and show coaches he can be an asset on on special teams he’ll be playing on Sunday’s this fall.

Pro Football Focus

One UDFA to watch on each NFL roster

Washington Commanders: CB Chigozie Anusiem, Colorado State

Anusiem is a big, tough-tackling corner who racked up 10 PBU’s in two years with Colorado State, earning an 80.9 coverage grade in 2022 and a 70.6 grade in 2023. During that time, he also forced 26 defensive stops, and his tackling ability could lend itself well to the NFL.

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NFL.com

A.J. Smith, longtime NFL executive and former Chargers GM, dies at 75

A.J. Smith, a longtime NFL executive and former Chargers general manager, died Sunday morning after a seven-year battle with prostate cancer, his son Kyle Smith announced.

A.J. Smith was 75 years old.

Smith’s 35-year career in the NFL was highlighted by his influential role with the Chargers for more than a decade (2001-2012). He was the winningest GM in the franchise’s history with 98 wins across the 10 seasons in which he held that title.

A.J’s son Kyle Smith is currently the assistant GM for the Atlanta Falcons.

Deadspin

Patriots name Eliot Wolf executive VP of player personnel

The New England Patriots named Eliot Wolf their executive vice president of player personnel on Saturday.

Wolf, 42, has 20 seasons of NFL experience, including the last four as director of scouting for the Patriots. His duties will include overseeing the personnel department, managing the salary cap and control of the 53-man roster.

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