Daily Slop – 6 Jul 24: Luke McCaffrey, Jahan Dotson, Dyami Brown

A collection of articles, podcasts & tweets from around the web to keep you in touch with the Commanders, the NFC East and the NFL in general

Commanders links

Articles

Commanders.com

Commanders 2024 training camp preview | Wide receiver

• What will Luke McCaffrey’s role be? McCaffrey was one of the clear standouts during the Commanders’ offseason workout program, making diving touchdown catches and spending extra time with first-round pick Jayden Daniel to develop chemistry with the quarterback. It’s possible that he will be the Commanders’ slot receiver, but at 6-foot-2, McCaffrey could be used at several spots on the field. Versatility was the foundation for his skill set in college with both Rice and Nebraska benefiting from that. McCaffrey is an exceptional route runner with solid hands, and while both of those will be useful in the slot, they will also be helpful elsewhere.
• Can Jahan Dotson bounce back? Dotson admitted that he was not happy with the way he played last season. Yes, he had more catches and targets, but he ended up with similar yards and three fewer touchdowns despite playing in five more games compared to his rookie year. Dotson has been working since February to make sure 2023 was an anomaly and not the start of a trend, going back to the basics with improving his play strength and route running. It seemed like that extra work was put to good use during the offseason workout program, but Dotson will need to continue that trend into training camp.
• Can Dyami Brown put it all together? Brown was drafted to be a vertical threat who could come down with contested catches. The only example of that came in 2022, when his 105 yards and two touchdowns made up most of his production that season. Brown certainly has the talent to be an NFL receiver. He’s an impressive blocker and has occasionally flashed his skill set. The 2024 season also represents a new opportunity for Brown to make a good first impression on a new coaching staff in a contract year. The Commanders must fill out the rest of the receiver room outside of McLaurin, Dotson and McCaffrey. Perhaps this is the year that Brown shows he can be a dependable, consistent option.

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Commanders Wire

Jahan Dotson named the Commanders’ most promising building block for 2024

David Kenyon of Bleacher Report recently named one promising building block for every NFL team. Dotson was his pick for the Commanders.

One year from today, Washington undoubtedly is hoping we’ll be highlighting quarterback Jayden Daniels. For now, wideout Jahan Dotson is the clear choice. The speedy receiver didn’t have the production hoped in 2023, but a breakout year is entirely plausible after Curtis Samuel’s departure and the arrival of coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.

It was easy to get on board with Dotson last season. While he had some issues with drops at times, almost everyone on Washington’s roster regressed last season. There’s a new coaching staff this season. Dotson has mentioned how excited he is to put last season behind him.

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Riggo’s Rag

Analyst makes bold claim over Commanders’ chances in 2024

The Commanders could far exceed expectations next season.

Bryan DeArdo from CBS Sports holds a different opinion. The analyst believes that the Commanders can exceed expectations during their first season with Quinn at the helm. This is thanks in no small part to some outstanding additions throughout one of the most dramatic offseasons in franchise history.

“I personally love just about everything the [Washington] Commanders did this offseason, especially the hiring of Dan Quinn as head coach, Kliff Kingsbury as offensive coordinator, the free agent signings of Austin Ekeler, Tyler Biadasz and Bobby Wagner (among others) and the selection of rookie QB Jayden Daniels with the No. 2 overall pick. Don’t sleep on D.C. in 2024.”

– Bryan DeArdo, CBS Sports

The Commanders will improve, that’s almost a given. There’s no telling how much things can progress looking at how competitive things are in the NFC East and the questions surrounding certain position groups. Time will tell on that front.

Adam Peters was quick to stress this will be a long-term project.

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Podcasts & videos

Locked on Commanders: Washington Commanders Receiver Room Led by Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson | Luke McCaffrey 3rd?

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NFC East links

ESPN

Ranking NFL teams’ under-25 talent: Texans, Lions lead list

13. New York Giants

2023 ranking: 6

Blue-chip players: EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux, CB Deonte Banks, WR Malik Nabers

Notable graduated players: OT Andrew Thomas, C John Michael Schmitz Jr.

Let’s start with the good: Thibodeaux, who had 11.5 sacks last season, doesn’t turn 24 until December. Cornerback Banks, last year’s first-round pick, allowed just 6.6 yards per pass in his rookie season and is also 23. So is Banks’ partner, 2022 third-round pick Cor’Dale Flott. And Micah McFadden has developed into a starting linebacker at age 24.

On offense, receiver Wan’Dale Robinson, 23, stepped up with 525 receiving yards and one touchdown last season, and tight end Daniel Bellinger (also 23) averaged 10.2 yards per catch. And we also have this year’s top draft picks who both will likely start: wide receiver Nabers (21) and safety Tyler Nubin (23).

However, the Giants dropped from last year’s ranking because some of their recent high draft picks were disappointing in 2023. Evan Neal ranked dead last among qualifying right tackles in pressure rate allowed. And edge rusher Azeez Ojulari had just 2.5 sacks. But both players still have growth potential, with Neal at age 23 and Ojulari at 24.

18. Washington Commanders

2023 ranking: 15

Blue-chip players: QB Jayden Daniels

Notable graduated players: RB Brian Robinson Jr., G Samuel Cosmi, LB Jamin Davis

Washington is boosted significantly by this year’s draft, and that starts with the No. 2 overall pick and 2023 Heisman Trophy winner Daniels (23) at quarterback. The Commanders also had three second-round picks this year. Defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton and tight end Ben Sinnott are both 22, while nickelback Mike Sainristil is 23.

As for players who were in Washington last year, wide receiver Jahan Dotson is 24, although his reputation is better than his performance in the ESPN receiver tracking metrics, where he finished near the bottom of the league. Another young player who struggled in advanced metrics is cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. Last year’s first-round pick was one of the worst cornerbacks in the league, with only 38 tackles and one interception. However, he’s just 23, and many top corners take two or three years to develop.

21. Dallas Cowboys

2023 ranking: 2

Blue-chip players: OL Tyler Smith

Notable graduated players: EDGE Micah Parsons, WR CeeDee Lamb, CB DaRon Bland, TE Jake Ferguson

Dallas falls from the top of this ranking after its stars graduated out of our under-25 requirement. Young talent in Dallas now starts on the offensive line with 23-year-olds Smith at left guard, first-round pick Tyler Guyton at left tackle and third-round pick Cooper Beebe, who could win the center job over Brock Hoffman.

On defense, Damone Clark has matured into a starting linebacker and just turned 24. However, he could lose his job this year to 2023 third-round pick DeMarvion Overshown, also 24. Nose tackle Mazi Smith is 23, the same age as rookie edge rusher Marshawn Kneeland.

And yes, we also gave the Cowboys credit for backup quarterback Trey Lance. The third overall pick from 2021 came into the league very young and is just 24.

29. Philadelphia Eagles

2023 ranking: 13

Blue-chip players: DT Jalen Carter

Notable graduated players: WR DeVonta Smith, G Landon Dickerson, G/C Cam Jurgens, S Reed Blankenship

The Eagles’ young standouts are almost entirely on defense, starting with two linemen: Carter (23) and Jordan Davis (24). Carter faded over the second half of last season but still finished second in the Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. Davis hasn’t quite lived up to his potential as the 13th overall pick in 2022 yet, but he’s strong against the run.

Safety Sydney Brown started six games as a rookie and may become a starter again once he returns from a torn ACL. The Eagles’ cornerbacks include two rookies: Quinyon Mitchell is a bit older at 23, but Cooper DeJean is 21. Behind them are a couple of 23-year-olds from last year’s draft class, Kelee Ringo and Eli Ricks. The linebackers include Nolan Smith Jr. (23) on the edge and Nakobe Dean (23) in the middle.

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Big Blue View

Ex-GM: ‘Train wreck’ could be coming if Giants start slowly

Jeff Diamond offers thoughts on the Giants’ 2024 season, and on Vikings’ rookie QB J.J. McCarthy

Former Minnesota Vikings GM Jeff Diamond told the Valentine’s Views podcast that the 2024 season could become a “train wreck” for the Giants if there is a similarly poor start.“There are a lot of moving parts that are going on with the Giants right now and especially going into the season and a lot of pressure on [Daniel] Jones, on Brian Daboll, on Joe Schoen and I think it’s a potential train wreck coming if they don’t get off to a good start this year and if they’re not competitive in a pretty tough NFC East,” Diamond said.

Could a “train wreck” happen? Absolutely. DraftKings Sportsbook has the Giants favored in only one of their first nine games. That is Week 1 vs. the Minnesota Vikings.

Is it likely? That is impossible to predict.

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