The Washington Commanders enter 2025 with a roster loaded with proven stars and rising talent, starting at quarterback with Jayden Daniels.
After becoming just the third rookie QB in NFL history to win 12 games last season, Daniels also set records with a 69% completion rate and 891 rushing yards, the most ever by a qualified rookie passer. He closed his debut campaign on fire, throwing at least two touchdown passes in each of his final four home starts. Now, he looks to continue that momentum with a third straight game posting a passer rating of 95 or better against the Giants.
Supporting him in the backfield is Austin Ekeler, one of the league’s most versatile veterans. The dual-threat back has joined Alvin Kamara as the only players to top 300 rushing and 300 receiving yards in each of the past seven seasons. With just two more touchdowns, he’ll become the third undrafted player since 1967 to notch 75 or more career scrimmage TDs.
The receiving corps is equally dangerous. Terry McLaurin set a franchise record with 13 touchdown receptions last season and joined an elite group of just four players to record 75+ catches and 1,000+ receiving yards in five of their first six seasons.
McLaurin has also had success against the Giants, scoring twice in their last meeting. The unit gets even more dangerous with the arrival of Deebo Samuel, who posted 5,935 scrimmage yards and 42 touchdowns over six years in San Francisco. At tight end, Zach Ertz brings veteran stability, ranking sixth all-time among TEs in receptions (775) and ninth in receiving yards (8,088).
On defense, the Commanders boast a mix of veteran leaders and ascending playmakers. Bobby Wagner, the NFL’s active tackles leader with 1,832, has recorded at least 100 tackles in each of his first 13 seasons, a feat matched only by London Fletcher since 2000.
Fellow veteran Von Miller, who leads all active players with 129.5 career sacks, makes his Washington debut this season, as does Deatrich Wise, who notched 34 sacks in eight years with New England. Frankie Luvu is coming off a career year with 99 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and eight sacks, joining T.J. Watt as one of only two players since 2022 with at least 20 sacks, 40 TFLs, and 15 passes defended.
In the trenches, Daron Payne remains a steady force, one of just five defensive linemen to record 50 or more tackles in six of the past seven years, while Dorance Armstrong has delivered consistent pass rush with five or more sacks in four straight seasons.
The secondary also looks formidable. Marshon Lattimore, who had three passes defended in two games with Washington last season, is set to reach his 100th career appearance in Week 1. Alongside him, second-year corner Mike Sainristil looks to build on a standout rookie season in which he led all first-year players with 14 passes defended and ranked second with 90 tackles.
With a balanced roster of elite veterans and explosive young stars, Washington enters 2025 not just as a team to watch—but as a legitimate NFC contender.