Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters had a primary goal this offseason: continue building around franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels. That’s what Peters did, using draft picks to acquire talented veterans. The Commanders added one of the best left tackles in the NFL, Laremy Tunsil, and one of the league’s most dangerous offensive weapons, Deebo Samuel. Samuel gives Washington a legit No. 2 receiver opposite Terry McLaurin.

Peters allowed receivers Dyami Brown and Olamide Zaccheaus to walk, re-signed Noah Brown and used a fourth-round draft pick on Jaylin Lane.

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So, is the offensive core surrounding Daniels better than it was a year ago?

Bill Barnwell of ESPN ranks the top RB/WR/TE groups of all 32 NFL teams ahead of each season. This year, Barnwell has the Commanders’ core ranked 13th.

The arrival of quarterback Jayden Daniels and coordinator Kliff Kingsbury leveled everyone up in Washington. Terry McLaurin, finally given a quarterback worthy of his talents, soared on a per-route basis; he finished 16th in yards per route run and nearly doubled his prior career high in touchdowns, racking up 13 before adding three more during the postseason. He didn’t set a career high in receiving yards by virtue of not getting the same target totals he saw at times in previous seasons, but he was at his efficient best with improved quarterback play.

Wideouts Olamide Zaccheaus and Dyami Brown exceeded expectations before leaving this offseason, while Noah Brown should return in a lesser role. The big addition at receiver is Deebo Samuel who averaged 110 scrimmage yards per game during his All-Pro season in 2021 and 64 scrimmage yards per contest across his five other seasons. He’s a true outlier in terms of generating yards after catch year after year, and he should fit well as part of all the screens the Commanders run, but he has also had consistent issues with fumbles, drops and injuries. Projecting a Samuel turnaround like the ones we saw for reclamation projects such as Zach Ertz and Austin Ekeler last season is more difficult considering he’s leaving an offense built by Kyle Shanahan.

Are we sure Samuel is worse off leaving Shanahan? Did anyone watch the offense designed by Washington’s offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury? There’s no debating where Shanahan ranks among the game’s top offensive minds, but Kingsbury is no slouch. You could make the argument that Samuel is better suited for what Kingsbury wants to do than in his final years with the 49ers.

Barnwell accurately notes that Washington’s offensive group will be even better if second-year players Ben Sinnott and Luke McCaffrey take a significant leap. There are reasons for optimism with both young players. Coaches praised both players for their strong offseasons. The Commanders didn’t necessarily need them last season, but certainly could use more production from McCaffrey this season. Sinnott is still behind Zach Ertz and John Bates, but Washington would certainly like to see him earn more offensive snaps in 2025, giving Ertz a breather.

Ertz and Ekeler are back, and Brian Robinson Jr. has developed into a reasonable between-the-tackles runner, but I want to see whether this team’s high 2024 draft picks develop. Second-round tight end Ben Sinnott and third-round wide receiver Luke McCaffrey were along for the ride as rookies, combining for 194 receiving yards during the regular season. The Commanders didn’t need to integrate them into the lineup when things were working, but it isn’t as if they were facing historically stiff competition beyond McLaurin, either. One (or preferably both) of the young guys breaking out would be a big help for Washington, with regards to both its roster construction and standing in these rankings.

All of Washington’s running backs except rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt are free agents after the upcoming season. The Commanders believe Robinson could have a big season with an improved offensive line and with the threat of Daniels’ ability to run. Ekeler will return in his change-of-pace, pass-catching role.

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Washington continues to rise in Barnwell’s rankings. In 2023, he had the Commanders at No. 26. Last season, Barnwell ranked Washington 21st.

Daniels’ presence changes everything. That’s what elite quarterbacks do.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: ESPN ranks the Commanders’ offensive core