​Is Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels poised for success in 2026? The answer hinges on who you ask. Jared Dubin of CBS Sports recently ranked every NFL team by their offensive infrastructure, essentially evaluating how well teams are set up to support their quarterbacks. He looked at play calling, the offensive line, and the supporting cast, and categorized teams into seven tiers. Only one team landed in Tier 7 at No. 32: the Miami Dolphins. The Commanders came in at No. 29, placing them among the three teams in Tier 6. Here is Dubin’s take on Washington.
I was somewhat surprised to see the Commanders finish this low in the rankings, but we assign an average rating to first-time play callers (3 for David Blough), and Washington features a rather thin pass-catching corps and one of the NFL’s weakest running back groups. That combination can drag down an offensive line that is, at best, above average. The assessment feels a bit stingy, yet there are defensible points. Questions remain about Washington’s wide receivers. Throughout the offseason, there was chatter about the Commanders pursuing Brandon Aiyuk once the 49ers released him, but that scenario has become increasingly unlikely as it has unfolded. Stefon Diggs is another name often mentioned, but he comes with his own set of concerns.
Washington should be fine at tight end, with a corps that includes Chig Okonkwo, John Bates, and Ben Sinnott. In the backfield, signing Rachaad White could be a boon, especially alongside Jacory Croskey-Merritt. At receiver, if rookie Antonio Williams meets expectations, the Commanders could be solid offensively. Most importantly, Daniels and star wideout Terry McLaurin both entering the season healthy is a significant plus.
Dubin labeled Washington’s offensive line “above-average at best.” The decision to release Tyler Biadasz without a clear replacement was questionable, though the Commanders believe Nick Allegretti can deliver equivalent production at a lower cost. Biadasz’s play declined last season. On the tackle side, Washington features Laremy Tunsil and Josh Conerly Jr. Tunsil is widely regarded as one of the league’s top left tackles, while Conerly faced a rocky rookie campaign last year. Some observers will weigh his overall 2023 numbers more heavily than his second-half improvement, potentially skewing the assessment of his trajectory.
Overall, Washington’s offensive line could become a strength for the team. Many of the same points were raised about the Commanders’ offensive players in 2024, and we saw what a healthy Jayden Daniels could do to elevate that group. It’s important to remember that rankings are subjective, and nothing truly matters until September.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders’ offensive infrastructure ranked among NFL’s worst for better SEO.