Commanders training camp observations: Stefon Diggs’ role in the offense, and an offensive line problem?

ASHBURN, Va. — After the dramatic courtship and climactic entrance, after the pseudo Super Bowl predictions and bold proclamations, Stefon Diggs is finally getting to work.

The real work, that is, of figuring out how he fits into the Commanders’ offense and how he can help quarterback Jayden Daniels improve in Year 3.

“We’ll start working him in slowly,” coach Dan Quinn said. “Start building up with some of the reps that he’s comfortable with, and then we’ll start adding from there.”

So what role will Diggs play?

It starts in the slot. That’s where Daniels needs the most help and Washington has its biggest hole on the depth chart.

Traditionally, Diggs has been a No. 1 option on the outside. He made his money in Minnesota and Buffalo being Kirk Cousins’ and Josh Allen’s game-breaker. But now he’s 32, turning 33 in November, and his game has changed. He tore an ACL in 2024 and is a step slower.

Over 50% of his snaps came from the slot last year in New England, the first time in his career he was primarily playing inside. Compare that to 2023, before the injury, when he took 63% of his reps outside.

But don’t mistake slower for less effective. He dropped only two balls last year and had a 78% catch rate on contested passes. He gets open on third down and accounted for 51 first-down conversions. Those numbers were better than any year he had in Minnesota, when he was among the best wideouts in the league.

Washington needs a player to fill that slot role. Its top receiver, Terry McLaurin, rarely lines up inside. He’s also not a short-yardage guy. His average depth of target was 14.6 yards downfield.

It is no coincidence that Daniels had by far his worst passing grades on throws 9 yards and in. Washington didn’t have guys getting open. Diggs solves that problem.

“When you see him work inside as a slot player, he’s got a great feel,” Quinn said. “He’s somebody certainly that can move the chains, and that’s important to have somebody that has [great] detail in option routes. But specifically inside, man, is he an effective player in that way.”

Washington likely won’t play Diggs exclusively in the slot. He still believes he can play on the outside, too. But, in terms of need and strength, it makes a lot of sense.

“I play outside. I play inside. I do a little bit of the backfield, you know, if they let me. So we’ll see,” Diggs said. “You have to be able to move around.”

The other ways he can help Daniels

Diggs’ reputation as a young quarterback whisperer is well documented. He helped Allen in Buffalo when he was just breaking into the MVP conversation. He helped Drake Maye in New England go to the Super Bowl. You could even make the case he helped Cousins in Minnesota. Cousins wasn’t as young as the other two, but he took a significant step playing with Diggs.

Diggs thinks about his routes through the sight lines of the quarterback. He looks at the offensive line and finds the pockets where throws are easiest to make.

“I learned that a little bit throughout my past five years, see it how the quarterback sees it, not how you see it,” Diggs said. “Because he’s got an O-line in front of him. He’s got running backs near him. He’s got a lot in his face, and there’s a lot of stuff he’s processing. You want to be in the right spot at the right time. I kind of just wanna see it from a bird’s-eye view, to a quarterback’s view, and give him the confidence.”

He also believes playing in the slot and the outside helps him be a better target. It becomes harder for defenses to plan specifically for him and gives offensive coordinators more options.

“If you want the ball, you gotta be able to move around,” Diggs said. “You can go play one spot, but they cloud coverage and they double. It makes it harder.”

It is hard to argue with the stats. He’s had seven 1,000-yard seasons and returned from an ACL last year for another 1,000-yard year.

A concern at offensive line?

When will Washington become concerned with its offensive line?

The Commanders brought in three offensive linemen Saturday: center Daniel Brunskill, tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere and guard Max Scharping. That is after they brought in more center depth last week with Trey Hill.

Hill’s addition was in response to an injury to Nick Allegretti, the presumed starter at center. But Quinn said the other three additions aren’t injury related. He wants to see more competition.

Washington spent good money beefing up its pass rush and wide receivers. But protecting Daniels comes first.

Quinn insists he isn’t worried about the offensive line. But in camp the pass rush has been dominant. A true indicator will arrive next week when Miami comes to town for joint practices and a preseason game.

But right now Washington’s words and actions are saying different things. Quinn is calming the waters. The transaction list says Washington is a little worried about the line.

Monitoring the medical tent

Speaking of the line, one of Washington’s more reliable offensive linemen went to the medical tent Saturday. Five-time Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil got tangled with Odafe Oweh during one-on-one drills. Washington has a day off Sunday and will have any injury updates Monday morning.