Daniels lit Washington's preseason, sprinting for a 14-yard TD and flashing the burst and improvisational ability that fantasy managers crave from a dual-threat QB.

On the sideline, he grabbed the ball for rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt’s first NFL TD, a moment Daniels called classy—and one that underscored his leadership vibe. He credited Terry McLaurin and Zach Ertz for setting the tone with him, and the feature frames him as a generational talent with a big 2025 season potential in Washington. With Croskey-Merritt flashing as a breakout rookie and McLaurin and Ertz providing proven targets, the Commanders’ offense looks primed for upside if Daniels wins the job. In dynasty terms, Daniels’ rushing floor adds a realistic QB2 ceiling, while McLaurin remains a stable WR1 and Croskey-Merritt could become a late-round spark depending on workload.

Thunder Dan Palyo spotlights six late-round fantasy football sleepers for 2025 who could flip the backhalf of your roster into a weekly contributor. Braelon Allen (NYJ) stands out as a potential early-down hammer with breakout upside in a improved Jets’ run game, while Jaylen Wright (MIA) is presented as a high-leverage handcuff behind Devon Achane. At tight end, Zach Ertz (WSH) is framed as a durable veteran safety blanket, with Brenton Strange (JAX) intriguing as a Week 1 starter and two-tight-end pairing value. DeMario Douglas (NE) is pitched as a slot-win in Drake Maye’s offense, and Keaton Mitchell (BAL) is flagged as the ultimate Henry-style handcuff. ADPs anchor the hype, inviting managers to chase upside late rather than rely on stale rankings.

Washington activated Terry McLaurin from the physically unable to perform list, but he has yet to step on the practice field as contract talks continue. The move isn’t framed as a sign of progress, and McLaurin will miss Monday’s preseason game versus Cincinnati while he recovers from an ankle issue. The Commanders will also sit veterans Bobby Wagner, Zach Ertz, Laremy Tunsil, Von Miller, Sam Cosmi and Marcus Mariota in the exhibition, with Jayden Daniels slated to start the regular season opener plan: McLaurin’s return-to-play protocol will guide his early-season timeline, likely delaying a full ramp-up but keeping him on track for Week 1 at home against the Giants on Sept. 7.

The roster notes emphasize a careful, stepwise return, and coach Dan Quinn stressed the club’s process as McLaurin’s deal remains unresolved. For fantasy managers, the absence of McLaurin in practice and the preseason suggests monitoring a ramp schedule, while the offense leans on the supporting cast and the developing quarterback play in the early weeks before McLaurin’s full involvement returns.

Malcolm Jenkins’ Eagles chapter remains a living legacy. Inducted into the franchise’s Hall of Fame alongside Bucko Kilroy, Jenkins’ influence runs beyond his versatile on-field play to the locker room leadership and community impact that shaped Philadelphia’s culture. His era was built around a core that included Lane Johnson and Zach Ertz, a trio whose presence helped anchor a Super Bowl-winning run. The recognition arrives as the Eagles honor the 27 jersey and the players who helped define an era of toughness, resilience, and social activism.

Jenkins’ impact stretched from mic’d-up Super Bowl moments to off-field initiatives, and the forthcoming Hall of Fame ceremony during the Bears game on November 28 cements his status as a franchise icon. Chip Kelly’s arrival and Howie Roseman’s behind-the-scenes blueprint helped craft a roster that balanced talent and character, with Pederson steering the championship push. Jenkins’ versatility, durability, and leadership left an imprint that lives in Philadelphia’s lore and continues to echo in today’s discussions around the Eagles’ identity and legacy.

Washington is betting big on Jayden Daniels, but the blueprint goes far beyond one rookie. Dan Quinn and Adam Peters built an Eden for a young passer: a big, internal coaching staff designed to weather success, plus a plan that starts before the pick is even made. The idea is to avoid a brain drain after a high draft, ensuring continuity and a system that travels with the quarterback. A veteran-studded room follows, with a clear path to his development rather than a forced ascent.

Key to the plan is a strong support network: a secure backup who can start or compete without sulking, a competition rather than anointed status, and deliberate locker-room placement to foster leadership. Daniels shares reps with Marcus Mariota, backed by Sam Darnold as a stabilizer, so the rookie can grow under pressure while the room absorbs the growing pains. Veterans like Bobby Wagner and Zach Ertz reinforce the culture, while the organization debates preseason play and in-game readiness to maximize Daniels’ long-term trajectory.

The article frames rookie development as a calculated, multi-year project: a six- to twenty-four-month horizon with checks and balances, not a single-week sprint. It emphasizes authenticity in leadership, adversity management, and the importance of a quarterback’s surrounding ecosystem to unlock fantasy upside. If Washington nails this, Daniels could be the start of a transformative era rather than a flash-in-the-pan rookie season.