LUKE MCCAFFREY NEWS

Commanders are re-signing wide receiver Noah Brown to 1-year deal, AP source says

Noah Brown is returning to the Washington Commanders

MARCH 13

Barely contributes as rookie McCaffrey finished the 2024 regular season with 18 catches for 168 yards on 24 targets, then was held without a catch on one target in three playoff appearances.

Impact The 2024 third-round pick started his career playing around half of Washington's snaps on offense, but he struggled to draw targets or make big plays and was getting less than one-fourth of the snaps by December/January. While his failure to emerge as a regular starter isn't a good sign for future productivity, McCaffrey may get another shot at the No. 3 receiver role in 2025, as he and Terry McLaurin are the only Washington wide receivers under contract.

JANUARY 28 • ROTOWIRE

Raiders TE Brock Bowers, Giants WR Malik Nabers battle for rookie receptions record

Both Brock Bowers and Malik Nabers are closing in on the NFL rookie record for catches. Plus, Luke McCaffrey breaks out as a kick returner.

DECEMBER 24, 2024

Snap count drops in Week 15 McCaffrey reeled in his lone target for no gain and played 12 of the Commanders' 78 snaps on offense in Sunday's 20-19 win over the Saints.

Impact Coming out of a Week 14 bye, the Commanders placed No. 2 wideout Noah Brown (kidney) on injured reserve, but his absence didn't open up any more opportunities for McCaffrey. In fact, McCaffrey saw his snap count on offense get cut in half from the Commanders' previous game, when he logged 22 snaps in a Week 13 win over the Titans. Though the Commanders lost Brown to IR, Jamison Crowder (calf) was activated prior to Sunday's game and ended up leapfrogging McCaffrey in the pecking order at receiver, finishing fourth in snaps behind fellow wideouts Terry McLaurin, Dyami Brown and Olamide Zaccheaus. The 2024 third-round pick out of Rice has struggled to find his footing during his rookie season, recording just 17 receptions for 155 yards on 21 targets through 14 games.

DECEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Snap count drops in Week 15 McCaffrey reeled in his lone target for no gain and played 12 of the Commanders' 78 snaps on offense in Sunday's 20-19 win over the Saints.

Impact Coming out of a Week 14 bye, the Commanders placed No. 2 wideout Noah Brown (kidney) on injured reserve, but his absence didn't open up any more opportunities for McCaffrey. In fact, McCaffrey saw his snap count on offense get cut in half from the Commanders' previous game, when he logged 22 snaps in a Week 13 win over the Titans. Though the Commanders lost Brown to IR, Jamison Crowder (calf) was activated prior to Sunday's game and ended up leapfrogging McCaffrey in the pecking order at receiver, finishing fourth in snaps behind fellow wideouts Terry McLaurin, Dyami Brown and Olamide Zaccheaus. The 2024 third-round pick out of Rice has struggled to find his footing during his rookie season, recording just 17 receptions for 155 yards on 21 targets through 14 games.

DECEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Held to 13 yards McCaffrey caught both of his targets for 13 yards in a 42-19 win over the Titans on Sunday.

Impact McCaffrey didn't get any extra playing time after starting wideout Noah Brown left with a rib injury. Dyami Brown filled in instead, while McCaffrey and Olamide Zaccheaus maintained their usual depth roles. In any case, Noah Brown may be healthy after the Week 14 bye.

DECEMBER 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Catches one pass against Dallas McCaffrey caught his lone target for eight yards in Sunday's 34-26 loss to the Cowboys.

Impact McCaffrey's minimal production continues to be a result of his limited usage within Washington's offense. The rookie wideout's 26 percent offensive snap share in the contest was his lowest of the season, and the 23-year-old has recorded just 14 catches for 142 scoreless yards through 12 games. McCaffrey should remain off the fantasy radar when the Commanders host the Titans in Week 13.

NOVEMBER 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Targeted once McCaffrey had one target and no catches in Thursday's 26-18 loss at Philadelphia.

Impact McCaffrey played 30 percent of snaps on offense, fifth most among Washington wide receivers. He's yet to draw more than three targets in a game and isn't likely to get a big usage bump Week 12 against Dallas.

NOVEMBER 15, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Quiet in win over Chicago McCaffrey secured one of two targets for eight yards during Sunday's 18-15 win over the Bears.

Impact McCaffrey improved on his Week 7 performance, in which he failed to draw a single target in a blowout win over Carolina, but his production versus Chicago remains lackluster. His share of offensive snaps (36 percent) has been more similar to the likes of Olamide Zaccheaus (35 percent) and Dyami Brown (32 percent) than starters Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown. Heading into a Week 9 matchup against the Giants, the rookie third-round pick will remain off the fantasy radar until he's able to showcase more consistency and/or upside.

OCTOBER 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Not targeted in blowout win McCaffrey was held without a target in Sunday's 40-7 win over the Panthers.

Impact McCaffrey was a complete non-factor in Week 7, as the rookie was held without a catch for the first time since Week 2. The 23-year-old wideout played 26 of the Commanders' 69 offensive snaps Sunday, behind Terry McLaurin (49), Noah Brown (42) and Olamide Zaccheaus (29). At this point, McCaffrey isn't seeing enough usage in Washington's passing attack to be in consideration for fantasy purposes. He'll have his next opportunity to take a step forward when the Commanders host the Bears in Week 8, though he may be catching passes from backup quarterback Marcus Mariota with Jayden Daniels' status in doubt due to a rib injury.

OCTOBER 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Targeted once in loss McCaffrey caught his lone target for five yards in Sunday's 30-23 loss to the Ravens.

Impact McCaffrey continues to get most of the slot snaps for Washington but has been targeted on just 11 percent of his routes this season, whereas fellow Washington wide receivers Terry McLaurin, Noah Brown and Olamide Zaccheaus have all been targeted on at least one-fourth of their routes. McCaffrey may see more passes as his rookie season progresses, but he can't be counted on for much Week 7 at Carolina

OCTOBER 15, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Catches three passes McCaffrey caught each of his three targets for 19 yards in a 34-13 win over the Browns on Sunday.

Impact The rookie played a season-high 66 percent of snaps on offense, taking on a bit of extra playing time with Noah Brown inactive due to a groin injury. It was only a minor change, however, as Dyami Brown and Olamide Zaccheaus took most of the snaps that normally would go to Brown. It'll still be hard to trust any Washington wideout for more than two or three targets when the Commanders head to Baltimore in Week 6.

OCTOBER 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Catches three passes for 44 yards McCaffrey caught each of his three targets for 44 yards in Monday's 38-33 win over the Bengals.

Impact McCaffrey played only 34 percent of snaps on a night when the Commanders mostly led and didn't use a lot of three-wide formations. He's generally looked good and had a 30-yard gain on a catch-and-run Sunday night, but the workload still isn't anywhere close to fantasy starter territory, with McCaffrey only playing in three-wide sets for an offense that's attempted fewer than 30 passes in each game so far. He'll take aim at the Cardinals next, playing on the road in a game with the largest over/under (50.5) of Week 4.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Not targeted against Giants McCaffrey failed to record a single target in Sunday's 21-18 win over the Giants.

Impact 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.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Three catches in NFL debut McCaffrey caught all three of his targets for 18 yards in Sunday's 37-20 loss to the Buccaneers.

Impact McCaffrey actually led all Washington wide receivers 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.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

'Luke McCaffrey Going To Be A Thing!': Bold Prediction For Commanders' Rookie Receiver Washington Commanders rookie receiver Luke McCaffrey receives a bold prediction in his debut season.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2024 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Bucs vs. Commanders: Luke McCaffrey at WR? The Washington Commanders have made a change to their unofficial depth chart listing Luke McCaffery as a starter.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2024 • SUNHERALD.COM

Commanders' Luke McCaffrey looking to make his own name amid famous family

Luke McCaffrey has some big cleats to fill, as he's on the verge of being the fourth member of his family to play in the NFL.

SEPTEMBER 2, 2024

Not separating from other WRs McCaffrey hasn't emerged as an obvious top-four wide receiver to open the season for Washington, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Impact 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.

AUGUST 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Facing less snap competition McCaffrey has less competition for playing time after the Commanders traded Jahan Dotson to the Eagles on Thursday.

Impact 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.

AUGUST 22, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Catches two passes McCaffrey caught both of his targets for 30 yards in a 13-6 preseason loss to Miami on Saturday.

Impact 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.

AUGUST 19, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Catches two passes after halftime McCaffrey caught two of three targets for 25 yards in the second half of a preseason loss to the Jets on Saturday.

Impact 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-three role in a WR room where nothing appears guaranteed besides Terry McLaurin being the No. 1.

AUGUST 12, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

How former QB Luke McCaffrey became a key receiver for the Commanders McCaffrey was a backup quarterback at Rice and moved to wide receiver to get on the field. He shined, and the Commanders drafted him in the...

AUGUST 1, 2024 • WASHINGTONPOST.COM