Hogs Haven
Brandon Aiyuk wants to play for the Commanders. If that somehow wasn’t clear at this point, the super-talented, super-disgruntled 49ers receiver mentions it almost every day on social media.
It started with wearing burgundy and/or gold. Then he just started rocking Commanders gear or pinning his location to Virginia. Aiyuk abandoned all pretense on Sunday night, shouting “Go Commanders” and “Raise Hail.”
It’s clear that Aiyuk wants the 49ers to cut him and Washington to subsequently sign him. The Commanders have gone dark on this topic. While they can’t tamper with a player under contract with another team, we haven’t even heard leaks of Commanders interest.
The links are strong because Aiyuk used to play with quarterback Jayden Daniels at Arizona State. General manager Adam Peters was in San Francisco when Aiyuk was drafted. Unsigned veteran, and DMV native, Stefon Diggs is also connected with the Commanders.
And, as important as anything in this equation, the Commanders have a perceived need at receiver.
Terry McLaurin’s an excellent player and a clearcut No. 1. There’s no presumptive No. 2.
The Commanders drafted Antonio Williams in the third round. They re-signed Treylon Burks, a former first-rounder regularly hampered by injuries. They added veteran Van Jefferson and brought Dyami Brown back after a year in Jacksonville. Plus, Luke McCaffrey returns for a third season with the Commanders and Jaylin Lane’s back for his second.
Washington has had a full offseason program, including last week’s mandatory minicamp, to evaluate these guys. The reviews, from coaches and media watching open practices, have been positive.
Head coach Dan Quinn offered his perspective on receiver standouts last week.
“A number of them have,” Quinn said in a press conference last week. “I would say on the outside, Van Jefferson has been somebody that’s really caught my eye. Having Dyami back has been excellent as well. I hit him up after practice the other day. There’s just a good intensity about him, a good mindset of where he is at. And so, he’s somebody that I’ve been super impressed with. Just off the bat, it’s good to see Lane and McCaffrey making their jumps in. Those are a few that jump to mind. But having Dyami back full of speed, and having Van here, he’s an excellent route runner going into it. And then inside the slot, those would be the two that jump out.”
Each of the receivers mentioned above have been complimented at one point this spring. It’s possible that one of them will emerge as a steady No. 2 option during training camp and the preseason. It’s also possible that offensive coordinator David Blough will use a combination of guys depending on the situation and an individual’s strength.
Or Aiyuk/Diggs could sign up and move to the front of the line.
No matter what, Commanders still want functional depth at the position.
“We talk about it like you’re trying to build a basketball roster,” Blough said during OTAs. “You don’t want all guys who can...
