The Washington Commanders saw a significant offensive upswing last season, largely propelled by the standout performance of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. The team‘s offense ranked seventh in total yards and fifth in points across the NFL, while Daniels earned the Offensive Rookie of the Year award and helped lead Washington to an NFC title game appearance. Anticipating challenges ahead, the Commanders actively sought to strengthen their offense by acquiring tackle Laremy Tunsil and wide receiver Deebo Samuel, moves aimed at boosting the team’s scoring and efficiency.
Jayden Daniels’ Optimism About Deebo Samuel’s Screen Potential
During a panel interview at Fanatics Fest, Daniels expressed excitement about incorporating Samuel into the offense, particularly emphasizing the wide receiver’s ability in the screen game. Daniels stated,
“Offseason was good, but now you just see what he’s proven year in and year out. I’m excited to throw him a screen and hopefully on the stat sheet it says a touchdown for 80 yards and I didn’t have to do any of the work. I’m excited, he’s a great person. Great fit in the locker room right away. Hopefully we’re gonna see a lot of touchdowns.”
This vision highlights the expectation that Samuel’s skill set will enable the offense to create explosive plays with minimal quarterback effort.
Addressing Commanders’ Weakness in the Screen Game
Last season, Washington’s screen game struggled to produce consistent results. Statistical analysis revealed that Daniels ranked 29th in Expected Points Added (EPA) per dropback and 26th in yards per pass, with two interceptions coming from screen attempts, according to TruMedia. This inefficiency underscored a clear area for improvement, which Samuel’s addition is expected to address. Known for his exceptional yards after catch (YAC) ability, Samuel has been one of the NFL’s most productive receivers on screen passes, demonstrating an uncommon capacity for turning short throws into large gains. Additionally, an improved offensive line is anticipated to aid the screen game’s success by providing Daniels with more time and room to execute.
Deebo Samuel’s Screen Game Excellence Backed by Numbers
Since entering the NFL in 2019, Samuel has led all receivers with 1,049 yards gained on screen passes, outpacing the next closest player, Chris Godwin, by over 250 yards, based on TruMedia data. His 13.0 yards-after-catch-per-reception average ranks first in this period, underscoring his unique ability to generate yardage beyond the catch. Moreover, Samuel has created more than 15 yards on screen plays 21 times, more than double the number achieved by D.J. Moore, who is second with nine explosive screen gains. On a per-target basis, Samuel converted 17.4% of his screen pass appearances into explosive plays, ranking 12th among 873 NFL receivers since 2019. While some receivers ahead of him on this list have fewer opportunities, Samuel’s volume and efficiency reinforce his value as a dynamic option in the screen game.
Impact of Samuel’s Health on Recent Performance
Samuel’s overall effectiveness in the screen game dipped during the 2024 season due to health issues that affected his performance. Despite receiving 21 screen targets last year, he gained only 146 yards, with just two explosive gains and six first downs. His yards-after-catch-per-reception dropped significantly to 9.4, placing him behind 14 other receivers with at least 10 screen targets. This decline raised concerns about Samuel’s ability to maintain his elite level of play, especially considering his physical style of play and age. Now 29, and after seven physically demanding NFL seasons, Samuel appears to be entering the later stages of his career, which makes his role and usage critical for maximizing impact while managing wear over time.
The Commanders’ Plan to Utilize Samuel in a Defined Role
Despite these challenges, the Commanders believe Samuel can thrive in a more specialized role within their offense compared to the versatile duties he had with the 49ers. Washington aims to focus his involvement on screens and short-area passing plays that capitalize on his yards-after-catch prowess. This focused deployment is designed to rejuvenate a facet of the passing game that was not effectively exploited last season. If Samuel regains even a portion of his pre-2024 form, his presence could expand the offensive playbook for Daniels and head coach Kliff Kingsbury, potentially mitigating the typical sophomore decline quarterbacks often face. The hope is that Samuel’s ability to generate big gains after the catch will open up more opportunities and create scoring chances with greater regularity.
Looking Ahead: What Samuel Means for Jayden Daniels and the Commanders
The inclusion of Deebo Samuel is poised to be a pivotal factor in the Commanders’ offensive outlook for 2025. His elite screen game should provide Jayden Daniels with a reliable weapon capable of producing explosive plays and easing some of the quarterback’s workload. As the Commanders integrate these new pieces under Kliff Kingsbury’s guidance, the offense could become more versatile and harder to defend. Success in refining the screen game could not only enhance the team’s overall yardage and scoring but also sustain Daniels’ momentum as a rising star quarterback. With the team focused on addressing last year’s weaknesses, the 2025 season could mark a significant step forward for Washington’s offensive ambitions.