Change in Command

No NFC East team has undergone a revamp as much as the Washington Commanders, with a new coaching staff and rookie quarterback taking charge.

On the latest episode of “Inside The Birds,” legendary NFL Films analyst Greg Cosell joined Geoff Mosher and Adam Caplan to break down each team in the NFC East. First up is the Commanders.

GETTY IMAGES: The Washington Commanders offense will be run by new OC Kliff Kingsbury and QB Jayden Daniels, the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Jayden Daniels

Greg Cosell: “You can easily make the argument that Jayden Daniels, when just talking about playing the position of quarterback in college football, played it at the highest level of any quarterback in this draft. This is an offense that would like to be able to run the ball because you never want to put a rookie quarterback, no matter how high you are on him, where you are feeling he is dropping back 35-40 times a game by choice.”

Kliff Kingsbury

Cosell: “It is a misnomer to assume that he is a just a spread guy. As an offensive coach, he is willing to adapt to his personnel. The big question they are going to have is who is going to be their number three wide receiver?”

Austin Ekeler

Cosell: “Ekeler is a really good receiver and throughout his career he has been able to detach from the formation and be a factor. Could we see personnel packages where Brian Robinson is the back in the backfield and Ekeler is on the field at the same time detached? All of these backs, including Ekeler, are inside grinders, sustaining backs.”

Defensive Front Seven

Cosell: “I think they can be a good front group. (Da’Ron) Payne and (Jonathan) Allen are still there. Dan Quinn brought in (Dorance) Armstrong and (Dante) Fowler from Dallas. Clelin Ferrell had a very good year with the 49ers, he was a foundation piece of that defensive line because he is really good against the run. They drafted Johnny Newton in the second round, they still have Phidarian Mathis. Then you get to the linebackers: Bobby Wagner still played at a high level for Seattle a year ago and then one of my favorite players on tape for a number of years has been Frankie Luvu.”

– Benjamin Paul is a staff writer for InsideTheBirds.com.