2025 NFL Yearbook: Washington Commanders

A season preview of the Washington Commanders.

The All Access Football NFL Yearbook Countdown Series is Presented By The All Access Football Daily Show — Live 7 Days A Week 10am ET — Launching 09.01.25.

[EDITOR’S NOTE: Howard Balzer, Dominic Ambrose and Jarrett Reigel contributed to this report] || [Some information also appears in the Lindy’s NFL & College Football Season Preview Guides. — Obtain these must-have magazines here]

NFL YEARBOOK SERIES: NO.32 — SAINTS || NO.31 — BROWNS || NO.30 — PANTHERS || NO.29 — TITANS || NO.28 — BEARS || NO.27—RAIDERS || NO.26 — SEAHAWKS || NO.25—JAGUARS || NO.24—COWBOYS || NO.23—JETS || NO.22—GIANTS || NO.21—COLTS || NO.20—FALCONS || NO.19—DOLPHINS || NO.18—49ERS || NO.17—PATRIOTS || NO.16—CARDINALS || NO.15—STEELERS || NO.14—PACKERS || NO.13—BENGALS || NO.12—VIKINGS || NO.11—BRONCOS || NO.10—LIONS || NO.9—CHARGERS || NO.8—BUCCANEERS || NO.7—TEXANS

2025 NFL YEARBOOK: WASHINGTON COMMANDERS

NFC EAST || 2024 RECORD: 12-5 || AAF NFL POWER RANKING: 6

TEAM BRASS

Owner: Josh Harris || General Manager: Adam Peters || Head Coach: Dan Quinn || Offensive Coordinator: Kliff Kingsbury || Defensive Coordinator: Joe Whitt Jr. || Special Teams: Larry Izzo

REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE

2025 NFLPA GRADES || OVERALL RANKINGS (11 of 32)

Treatment of Families: B+ (11th) || Food / Dining Area: B+ (12th) || Nutritionist / Dietician: C+ (29th) || Locker Room: F (29th) || Training Room: C+ (23rd) || Training Staff: B+ (11th) || Weight Room: B- (25th) || Strength Coaches: A (3rd) || Team Travel: A (4th) || Head Coach: A+ (1st) || Ownership: A (8th)

After finishing last for two consecutive years, the Washington Commanders surged to 11th overall. The Commanders’ improved rating reflects how meaningful improvements to players’ daily experience can be achieved, even with physical facility limitations. Key to the turnaround was the hiring of Dan Quinn, who finished the season as the No. 1 ranked head coach across the league. Additionally, the team invested in the food program, improving their grade from a D+ to a B+. They also increased the frequency of family events and began providing daycare during home games which boosted their grade for treatment of families, rising from an F- to a B+. The improvement in team travel is notable, with 95% of players reporting comfortable personal space on flights, up from just 50% last year. The team’s strength coaches deserve special recognition for maintaining an A rating year after year. Despite progress, the facility itself remains a major issue. The building is old and in need of major renovation. Players single out the locker room as the area that needs attention. When asked what the team does best, the most consistent response is clear: they are positively changing the culture—and it shows both in the survey results and on the field.

OVERVIEW

Hot to trot on their tail would be the Washington Commanders who have made some of the strongest offseason acquisitions for the second consecutive year. Despite just five selections to work with, Washington maximized their opportunities. Along with a young, upstart quarterback still playing on his rookie deal in Jayden Daniels, the Commanders have a window of opportunity over the next several years to return the Vince Lombardi Trophy back to DC for the first time in over three decades!

OFFENSE RANKINGS

Total Offense: 373.3 (5th) || Passing: 224.2 (12th) || Rushing: 149.1 (4th) || Points: 28.8 (6th) || Sacks: 50 (T-25th) || 3rd Down: 45.2% (6th)

DEFENSE RANKINGS

Total Defense: 341.1 (17th) || Passing: 197.7 (5th) || Rushing: 143.4 (31st) || Points Allowed: 24.9 (22nd) || Sacks: 43 (T-11th) || Turnover Differential: 1 (15th)

TOP 10 FRANCHISE PLAYERS

1. Jayden Daniels, Quarterback

2. Bobby Wagner, Linebacker

3. Terry McLaurin, Wide Receiver

4. Deebo Samuel, Wide Receiver

5. Von Miller, Linebacker

6. Zach Ertz, Linebacker

7. Frankie Luvu, Linebacker

8. Javon Kinlaw, Defensive Tackle

9. Brian Robinson Jr., Running Back

10. Mike Sainristill, Cornerback

TOP 10 PLAYERS UNDER 25

1. Jayden Daniels, Quarterback (24)

2. Mike Sainristill, Cornerback (24)

3. Josh Conerly Jr., Offensive Tackle (21)

4. Jer'Zhan Newton, Defensive Tackle (22)

5. Trey Amos, Cornerback (23)

6. Jaylin Lane, Wide Receiver (23)

7. Luke McCaffrey, Wide Receiver (24)

8. Brandon Coleman, Offensive Tackle (24)

9. Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Running Back (24)

10. Ben Sinnott, Tight End (23)

BUST OUT PLAYERS

The Commanders were resurrected by rookie sensation Jayden Daniels. He showcased his ability to spray the ball around the field, completing 20-or more passes to seven different targets. Washington second-year wideout Luke McCaffrey hopes to join that club after mixed results during his first season in burgundy and gold. He would haul in 18 catches, for 168 yards on the year but saw his role as the lead kick returner increase late in the season and into the playoffs. Look for the legacy player to emerge as one of the more dangerous returners and see his role increase on offense due to his blazing speed … On a team filled with mostly veterans, one first-year player who stood tall on defense was slot cover corner Mike Sainristill, who provided a huge boost in run support, racking up 93 tackles, while making two interceptions in pass coverage. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Sainristill continue to evolve and earn his first Pro Bowl berth with a few more turnovers … The backend of the defense should be a much stronger unit with rising safety Quan Martin, who capitalized on his second season, making 16 starts. Sainristill and Martin provide much-needed youth.

2025 NFL DRAFT CLASS

ROUND | PICK | TEAM | PLAYER | POSITION | SCHOOL

Rd.1 No.29. Josh Conerly, OT, Oregon — A powerful, athletic big man, Conerly will start opposite of the newly acquired Laremy Tunsil to fortify the Commanders front line and help keep Jayden Daniels upright.

Rd.2 No.61. Trey Amos, CB, Mississippi — This was a tremendous value pick, as Amos brings top-level size, competitiveness and physicality, which is a requisite for the NFC East.

Rd.4 No.128. Jaylin Lane, WR, Virginia Tech — With top-notch speed, Lane can serve as a deep threat in the slot but his biggest value could lie in his ability to flip the field as a return man.

Rd.6 No.205. Kain Medrano, LB, UCLA — One of the fastest linebackers in the draft, Medrano owns great range who could be used in sub-packages during pass situations.

Rd.7 No.245. Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Arizona — A great late-round roll of the dice, Croskey-Meritt is a change of pace slasher with dynamic big-play burst who could turn up Yahtzee.

OVERALL IMPACT = 3 Average Impact

ADDITIONS

• WR Michael Gallup (0/0; FA; $1.25M/1 yr, $200K gtd/$50K SB/$1.1 2025 cap)

• DT Eddie Goldman (17/10; UFA Falcons; $1.255M/1 yr, $315K gtd/$1.03M 2025 cap)

• S Will Harris (13/13; UFA Saints; $8M/2 yrs/, $3.39M gtd/$2M SB/$2.88M 2025 cap/$1M per year incentives)

• C Nate Herbig (0/0; UFA Steelers; $1.337.5M/1 yr, $642.5K gtd/$142,500 SB/$1.197.5M 2025 cap)

• QB Josh Johnson (6/0; UFA Ravens; $1.422.5M/1 yr, $40K SB/$1.197.5M 2025 cap)

• CB Jonathan Jones (17/14; UFA Patriots; $5.5M/1 yr, $4.5M gtd/$2.5M SB/$5,5M 2025 cap/$1M incentives)

• DT Javon Kinlaw (17/17; UFA Jets; $45M/3 yrs, $30M gtd/$16.5M SB/$7.5M 2025 cap)

• LB Jake Martin (11/0; UFA Bears; $2.585M/1 yr, $1.05M gtd/$300K SB/$2.405M 2025 cap)

• WR Deebo Samuel (15/15; trade 49ers)

• T Foster Sarell (11/0; not tendered as RFA by Chargers; $1.1M/1 yr, no gtd/$1.1M 2025 cap)

• CB Kevon Seymour (3/0; FA; $1.17M/1 yr, no gtd/$1.03M 2025 cap)

• T Laremy Tunsil (17/17; trade Texans)

• DE Deatrich Wise Jr. (15/5; UFA Patriots; $3.25M/1 yr, $2.35M gtd/$1M SB/$3.16M 2025 cap)

RE-SIGNINGS

• TE John Bates (UFA; $21M/3 yrs, $11.52M gtd/$7M SB/$4.33M 2025 cap)

• LB Nick Bellore (UFA; $4.2M/2 yrs, $1.75M gtd/$495K SB/$1.95M 2025 cap)

• WR Noah Brown (UFA; $3.25M/1 yr, $2.47M gtd/$1.215M SB/$3.01M 2025 cap)

• DT Sheldon Day (UFA; $1.322.5M/1 yr, $42,500K SB/$1.097.5M 2025 cap)

• C/G Michael Deiter (UFA; $1.337.5/1 yr, $492,500 gtd/$142,500 SB/$1.197.5M 2025 cap)

• TE Zach Ertz (potential UFA; $6.25M/1 yr, $5.59M gtd/$3.5M SB/$6.25M 2025 cap/$2.75M incentives)

• DE Clelin Ferrell (UFA; $2M/1 yr, $100K SB/$1.88M 2025 cap)

• K Zane Gonzalez (potential UFA; $1.17M/1 yr, no gtd/$1.03M 2025 cap)

• DT Jalyn Holmes (UFA; $1.337.5M/1 yr, $492.5K gtd/$142,500 SB/$1.197.5M 2025 cap)

• CB Noah Igbinoghene (UFA; $1.5M/1 yr, $500K gtd/$100K SB/$1.5M 2025 cap)

• QB Marcus Mariota (potential UFA; $8M/1 yr, $7.39M gtd/$5.5M SB/$7.88M 2025 cap/$4M incentives)

• RB Jeremy McNichols (potential UFA; $1.337.5M/1 yr, $492,500 gtd/$142,500 SB/$1.197.5 2025 cap)

• WR K.J. Osborn (UFA; $1.195M/1 yr, $315K gtd/$1.055 2025 cap)

• RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. (ERFA; $1.03M/1 yr, no gtd/$10.3M 2025 cap)

• T Trent Scott; UFA; 1 yr, $1.422.5M/1 yr, $415K gtd/$100K SB/$1.197.5M 2025 cap)

• LB Bobby Wagner (potential UFA; $9M/1 yr, $8M gtd/$5M SB/$9M 2025 cap/$1.5M incentives)

• P Tress Way (potential UFA; $2.872.5M/2 yrs, $2M gtd/$125K SB/$2.872.5 2025 cap)

DEPARTURES

• DT Jonathan Allen (8/7; released)

• WR Dyami Brown (16/3; UFA Jaguars; $10M/1 yr, $9.5M gtd/$5M SB/$9.985M 2025 cap/$2M incentives)

• S Jeremy Chinn (17/17; UFA Raiders; $16.258M/1 yr, $12.25M gtd/$4M SB/$6.629M 2025 cap)

• S Darrick Forrest (11/1; UFA Bills; $1.337.5/1 yr, $167,500 SB/$1.197.5 2025 cap)

• DE Dante Fowler Jr. (17/7; UFA Cowboys; $6M/1 yr, $5M gtd/$3M SB/$6M 2025 cap/$2M incentive 11 sacks)

• T Cornelius Lucas (14/7; UFA Browns; $6.5M/2 yrs, $3.255M gtd/$2M SB/$1.655M 2025 cap/$3M incentives/$3 void years)

• CB Benjamin St-Juste (17/14; UFA Chargers; $2.5M/1 yr, $1M SB/$2.5M 2025 cap/$500K incentives)

• LB Mykal Walker (17/0; UFA Cardinals; $1.79M/1 yr, $500K gtd/$200K SB/$1.79M 2025 cap)

• WR Olamide Zaccheaus (17/6; UFA Bears; $1.5M/1 yr, $750K gtd/$150K SB/$1.5M 2025 cap)

DEPTH CHART (Courtesy of Ourlads)

VEGAS ODDS — PREDICTION — WAGERING INSIDER

VEGAS WIN TOTAL ODDS: 9.5 (-130)

Still time to get in on the action before the odds slant, this could eventually go off at 2:1, so make sure to hammer home that over!