McCaffrey caught each of his three targets for 44 yards in Monday's 38-33 win over the Bengals. McCaffrey played only 34 percent of the offensive snaps on a night when the Commanders mostly led and didn't use a lot of three-wide formations. The rookie has generally looked good and had a 30-yard gain on a catch-and-run Sunday night, but his workload still isn't anywhere close to fantasy starter territory, given his limited role in an offense that's attempted fewer than 30 passes in each game so far. He'll take aim at the Cardinals in Week 4, playing on the road in a game with the largest over/under (50.5) on the slate.
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Status
ACTIVELatest Luke McCaffrey news
Birthdate
4/2/2001 (23)
Status
Active
HT/WT
6'2", 198 lbs
Draft Info
2024: Rd 3; Pk (WAS)
Birthplace
Castle Rock, CO, USA
Position
WR
College
Rice
Career History
Washington Commanders
2024-Present
(1 season)
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DraftKings points 6.6FanDuel Points 5.0REC 3.2REC YDS 32.7LNG 20.4TD 0.0CBSS fantasy points 3.4ESPN fantasy points 3.4Yahoo fantasy points 5.0
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Full season projectionsREC 34.0REC YDS 309.3LNG 30.0
McCaffrey caught each of his three targets for 44 yards in Monday's 38-33 win over the Bengals. McCaffrey played only 34 percent of the offensive snaps on a night when the Commanders mostly led and didn't use a lot of three-wide formations. The rookie has generally looked good and had a 30-yard gain on a catch-and-run Sunday night, but his workload still isn't anywhere close to fantasy starter territory, given his limited role in an offense that's attempted fewer than 30 passes in each game so far. He'll take aim at the Cardinals in Week 4, playing on the road in a game with the largest over/under (50.5) on the slate.
McCaffrey failed to record a single target in Sunday's 21-18 win over the Giants. Despite playing a healthy 56 percent of offensive snaps Sunday, McCaffrey was not involved in the passing game on a day in which Jayden Daniels attempted 29 passes. The rookie wideout figures to see his usage fluctuate in Washington's offense as the passing attack gets things figured out with a rookie signal caller at the helm. With that said, McCaffrey should continue to develop alongside Daniels toward a stronger connection as the season progresses. Fantasy managers hoping for a quick breakout for the 23-year-old receiver should exercise patience. McCaffrey will look to take a step forward in Week 3 when the Commanders visit the Bengals.
McCaffrey caught all three of his targets for 18 yards in Sunday's 37-20 loss to the Buccaneers. McCaffrey actually led all Washington wideouts in receiving yards in his NFL debut, besting Terry McLaurin by one yard. The rookie third-round pick's total was fourth on the team overall behind running backs Austin Ekeler (52) and Brian Robinson (48), as well as tight end Zach Ertz (28), as quarterback Jayden Daniels spent all game either checking the ball down or scrambling. The rookie quarterback-receiver combo has a chance to develop a strong connection down the line, but both Daniels and McCaffrey are still raw heading into Week 2 against the Giants, which was illustrated by McCaffrey's inability to get his feet inbounds after getting open on a two-point conversion attempt late in the loss to Tampa Bay.
McCaffrey hasn't emerged as an obvious top-four wide receiver to open the season for Washington, John Keim of ESPN.com reports. Even after the Commanders' trade of Jahan Dotson this week, McCaffrey hasn't earned a starting role in Washington. It sounds like Dyami Brown and Olamide Zaccheaus are pushing for playing time behind Terry McLaurin, and even slot man Jamison Crowder could be in the mix. McCaffrey is relatively new to the wide receiver position after playing it for just two seasons. If McCaffrey doesn't open the season in three-wide sets, it's not out of the question that he finishes 2024 in a prominent role.
McCaffrey has less competition for playing time after the Commanders traded Jahan Dotson to the Eagles on Thursday. McCaffrey strictly worked with Washington's second- and third-string offenses in the first two preseason games, but a lack of talent at WR behind Terry McLaurin suggests it may not be long before the rookie third-round pick gets regular playing time. Dyami Brown and Olamide Zaccheaus have been splitting perimeter snaps opposite McLaurin on the first-team offense, with Dotson getting most of the slot work pre-trade. McCaffrey has worked both outside and inside this summer, and at 6-foot-2 with 4.46 speed he isn't necessarily limited to the slot.
McCaffrey caught both of his targets for 30 yards in a 13-6 preseason loss to Miami on Saturday. The rookie third-round pick has four catches for 55 yards through two preseason games, but each of his five targets has come with the second/third-string offense. Coach Dan Quinn suggested the WR roles are all up for grabs behind No. 1 target Terry McLaurin, so there's room for McCaffrey to make a move up the depth chart in a hurry even though he's worked behind Jahan Dotson, Olamide Zaccheaus and Dyami Brown this preseason.
McCaffrey caught two of three targets for 25 yards in the second half of a preseason loss to the Jets on Saturday. The third-round pick played 31 snaps, with nearly all of those coming in the second half as part of the third- and fourth-string offenses. That's not usually the best sign in terms of Week 1 role, but it matters less for a rookie, especially during the opening week of the preseason. McCaffrey is still a candidate to eventually earn a top-3 role in a WR room where nothing appears guaranteed besides Terry McLaurin being the No. 1.