Louis Riddick: ‘I’m taking Jayden Daniels’ over Lamar Jackson – Daily Slop

The Daily Slop – 7 August 2026

Editor’s note: Each day, Hogs Haven compiles a collection of articles, podcasts & tweets from around the web to keep you in touch with the Commanders, the NFC East, the NFL and sports in general, with a sprinkling of other stuff. Enjoy!

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Last Man Standig (paywall)

What the Stefon Diggs signing says about Adam Peters in Year 3

Washington’s latest move isn’t just about adding another accomplished receiver. It suggests the Commanders’ GM has refined his approach after seeing how uncertainty can carry real football costs.

All-Pro receiver Terry McLaurin. Depending on your perspective, Peters won that negotiation. Washington eventually reached an agreement on terms that, while setting up the 30-year-old McLaurin with a lucrative payday, were largely favorable to the organization.

But there was another cost to that victory. McLaurin remained away from the team beginning during the spring offseason program and continuing through training camp. Tension from the standoff was felt daily in the team facility and all around the Beltway. Valuable practice time with Daniels entering his second season was lost. Then, after finally returning, McLaurin suffered an injury that sidelined him for seven games.

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When paired with McLaurin, Diggs provides Daniels with another proven target capable of punishing defenses that focus extra attention on Washington’s No. 1 receiver. If McLaurin misses time again, the Commanders now have someone who can approximate the responsibilities of a top option rather than forcing an entire committee into roles they may not be suited for. Should Father Time finally decide to wrestle Diggs into submission, Washington can pivot to its other viable options.

For more from Ben Standig, click here

The Athletic (paywall)

Commanders takeaways after 6 practices

Trey Amos still hasn’t returned to the field after suffering a fractured fibula in early November, which leaves him little time to get back into football shape for the season once he’s medically cleared. Washington brought in veteran Rasul Douglas for additional help, and recently signed Fabian Moreau following Ahkello Witherspoon‘s abrupt retirement. But given the Commanders’ defensive shortcomings in recent years, it’s fair to wonder if that’s enough.

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Quinn never publicly tabbed one player to wear the green dot; he repeatedly said it would depend on the defensive package on the field and who seemed most comfortable in the role. He also said it could be a linebacker or a defensive back.

After a week of camp, the primary guy has been Frankie Luvu.

To read more of this article, CLICK HERE

Commanders.com

Hail Mail | Kaytron Allen is a bowling ball

@A_Smith_FS: Will JCM operate as the “lead” back? Or will White see a 50/50 split?
@FantasyTags: What do you think the running back split looks like this season if both JCM & Rachaad stay healthy?

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That’s an interesting question, and I think there are a few factors at play here.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt has burst and the ability to make explosive plays; Rachaad White is a fun addition as a pass-catcher; Kaytron Allen is your physical battering ram that can pick up the tough yards; and Jeremy McNichols can do a little of all three. There’s also Jerome Ford and Robert Henry Jr., who have flashed, but you can only keep so many players on the roster. I think labeling any player as the lead back right now and giving them most of the carries would somewhat hamstring the position group’s potential, because all of these guys can help you in games.

However, I also believe there is a chance for Croskey-Merritt to take a leading role if he keeps showing improvement. I think the Commanders have been pushing him to show that, and to his credit, he has done so over the past week. The Commanders don’t just hand jobs to people; rather, they make them earn it. Croskey-Merritt has so much potential, and if he keeps standing out, I could see a world where he is their lead back.

For now, however, I think the running back room will operate as The Avengers rather than Superman and Friends.

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Sports Illustrated

Winners and Losers From the Commanders’ First Week of Training Camp

Winner: Luke McCaffrey

Luke McCaffrey came to Commanders camp with the idea that the WR2 role was wide open and available to the player who was willing to take it. And that is just what he has done: play like he is trying to take that role. Of course, his case is built on several productive practices rather than one isolated catch or touchdown, even though he has had a few of those as well. McCaffrey has used the first week of camp to earn greater leverage and a stronger claim to more consistent offensive opportunities this season. While Stefon Diggs being signed all but killed any chance he has at WR2, his argument for WR3 is strong.

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Loser: The Kicking Competition

Jake Moody and Drew Stevens entered camp without meaningful separation after ending minicamp 6-for-6 on the last day and initially matched one another through perfect kicking sessions the first few days of camp. The two have had some misses of late, which has left the competition without either kicker building any amount of momentum or giving Washington a clearer answer in the process. The competition has failed to deliver to this point as it sits pretty much in the same place it began a week ago.

To read more of this article, CLICK HERE

Riggo’s Rag

Commanders’ Antonio Williams quietly struck gold with the Stefon Diggs signing

[T]he tide turned last season with Diggs. He reportedly emerged as a strong leader and mentor last season on the New England Patriots, emerging as the model teammate and barely putting a foot wrong. If the same player shows up in Washington, Williams would be wise to hang on his every word.

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Williams has the talent. He now has two top-level performers in Diggs and Terry McLaurin to lean on for advice, counsel, and some extra nuances that can help take his game to another level.

Learning behind Diggs could be a blessing in disguise for Williams. It means he won’t be forced into a role beyond his present-day capabilities in his first NFL season, and he’ll be able to develop with patience and grace under Washington’s coaching staff.

To read more of this article, CLICK HERE

Commanders Roundtable

Jayden Daniels has drawn consistent praise in training camp

With a chance to quiet critics, Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels may be doing exactly that ahead of the start of the preseason slate.

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Redzone reps were the theme of the Commanders’ first few practices of training camp with a chance to evaluate both sides of the ball, such as rookie linebacker Sonny Styles making his presence felt with plays against running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt at the goal line in consecutive days. While new edge rusher Odafe Oweh has been hard to ignore while rookie wide receiver Antonio Williams has drawn praise for being fluid in his route tree, Daniels has remained a constant among the early takeaways.

In Monday’s first padded practice of training camp, Daniels flashed his zip and accuracy inside the 20 after finding Terry McLaurin among others in the back of the end zone. Day two provided more of the same as Daniels once again connected with McLaurin on a beautiful throw that sailed just over the shoulder of cornerback Mike Sainristil, a play that drew praise.

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ESPN

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2026 NFL season: Future Hall of Famers from all 32 teams

Go back to 2002, the first year with 32 teams. There are 54 players who suited up for at least one game that season enshrined in the Hall of Fame. That list doesn’t include Tom Brady (who becomes eligible in 2028) or borderline candidates such as Steve Smith and Reggie Wayne, who could earn enough votes to cross the threshold in the future. At the very least, we can use 55 Hall of Famers as our gauge, which is just under 3% of the 1,839 players who suited up for at least one game that season.

Today, I’m going through each of the league’s 32 teams and attempting to identify the players who either are on track or have a realistic hope of earning gold jackets one day. This will be my estimate of who is likely to make it using historical comparables as opposed to my opinion of who should or should not be enshrined at some point.

Washington Commanders

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Work to do: QB Jayden Daniels, OT Laremy Tunsil

Daniels enjoyed a spectacular rookie season, but the injuries that some analysts feared were likely to be a regular occurrence for the 210-pound quarterback reared their head in 2025. He was limited to four complete games in 17 tries. He still profiles as a superstar when healthy, of course, but Daniels has to prove that he can stay on the field to push for the Hall one day.

Missing out: WR Terry McLaurin, WR Stefon Diggs

McLaurin turns 31 next month, so while it still feels like he’s a relatively young player, we’ve probably already seen his best pro seasons. (Consider that Justin Jefferson, who was drafted one year after McLaurin, is nearly four years younger.) McLaurin had pieced together five consecutive 1,000-yard seasons before an injury-impacted 2025 campaign, most of which came with replacement-level quarterbacks throwing him the football. Healthy seasons from McLaurin and Daniels in 2026 could augur a potential career year, but it might be too late for the two-time Pro Bowler to earn serious consideration.

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Podcasts & videos

Commanders Analyst London Fletcher Talks Daniels, Styles & More with Rich Eisen | Full Interview