Fantasy Football Player Notes

Terry McLaurin experienced a steep drop-off last year after his banner WR14 campaign in 2024. Ultimately, the Washington offense took a massive step back, and McLaurin was dealing with a quad injury for much of last season, which limited him to ten games played. In those ten games, yes, he was the WR33 in fantasy points per game, but his per-route metrics remained stellar. Among 109 qualifying receivers, McLaurin ranked 25th in target per route run rate (24%), 13th in yards per route run (2.38), fourth in first downs per route run (0.135), and 26th in route win rate (per Fantasy Points Data). With Deebo Samuel and Zach Ertz gone, only Stefon Diggs, Antonio Williams, and Chig Okonkwo were added to this receiving depth chart; McLaurin should return to his target-hog WR2 ways in 2026. He's a strong bounceback candidate.

After a long offseason, Stefon Diggs is finally a Washington Commander. We've all speculated all offseason that Diggs would possibly land with Washington, and now it has come to fruition. Diggs had a strong 2025 season that proved that he has plenty left in the tank to post a strong fantasy season in 2026. Last year, he was the WR23 in fantasy points per game with only a 65.4% route share (62nd out of 109 qualifying receivers). Among 109 qualifying receivers, he was stellar on a per-route basis, ranking 22nd in target per route run rate (25%), 20th in receiving yards per game (59.6), and eighth in yards per route run (2.53) and first downs per route run (0.127, per Fantasy Points Data). Among the same sample of receivers, he was also 28th in overall separation score, 18th in separation versus man coverage, 22nd in route win rate against man coverage, and 11th in yards per route run against both man and zone coverages. Diggs didn't show any falloff, so I'm not projecting that for 2026, being even further out from his ACL reconstruction. Diggs is a strong WR3 with upside this season. I expect the Washington passing attack to be funneled through Diggs and Terry McLaurin.

Antonio Williams' rookie season outlook took a massive hit with Stefon Diggs signing with the Commanders. Williams could still have his moments as a flex option in 2026, but I wouldn't count on him as anything more than a bye-week flex option unless Diggs gets hurt. During his final season in college, Williams ranked 69th in yards per route run and 39th in receiving grade as an underneath slot option.