admin
The Washington Commanders kicked off Phase 3 of their offseason training activities (OTAs) this week. Unbelievably, we are two weeks away from Washington’s mandatory minicamp before the team breaks for training camp next month.
During Phase 3, NFL teams can do 7-on-7, 9-on-9 and 11-on-11 drills, but no live contact is allowed. Still, for the first time this offseason, it’s the closest thing to real football we’ll see until training camp opens in July.
Last year at this time, all eyes were on rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. Now, all eyes remain on Daniels after he comes off one of the most impressive rookie seasons in NFL history, regardless of the position. So, while all eyes will be on Daniels, there will be other things to watch for the Commanders.
Garrett Podell of CBS Sports named one thing for all 16 NFC teams to watch as OTAs are underway. For Washington, it’s all about wide receiver Deebo Samuel and his role in offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s offense:
One thing to watch: Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s usage of new wide receiver Deebo Samuel and how he looks.
Samuel’s value has taken a hit. Washington was able to acquire him for a fifth-round pick from the San Francisco 49ers in a salary dump this offseason following a 2024 campaign in which he averaged a career-low 53.7 yards from scrimmage per game. He’s still on a contender, joining the 2024 NFC runner up and reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year quarterback Jayden Daniels.
How he looks in Kingsbury’s attack will be intriguing to watch. There was a prevailing sentiment that 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan was uniquely positioned to maximize Samuel’s unique talents for many years. He is the only player in the Super Bowl era with at least 4,500 receiving yards and 1,000 rushing yards in his first six seasons in the Super Bowl era (since 1966). Samuel also leads all wide receivers in yards after catch (3,084) and yards after catch per reception (9.2) since entering the league in 2019.
Will Kingsbury utilize him traditionally, or in a more dual threat capacity with Samuel now 29-years-old and entering his seventh NFL season? OTAs could be the first chance to observe such details.
This is a good pick. Samuel was an exciting addition for Washington fans, particularly considering how the creative Kingsbury will use him and that he’ll catch passes from Daniels.
While the Commanders will have a portion of OTAs open to the public, Kingsbury is unlikely to show much with Samuel. Kingsbury is scheduled to speak to the media this week, and Samuel will surely be a topic.
#watch #week #Commanders #OTAs
