The Washington Commanders had been an intriguing enigma coming into the 2024 NFL season. They haven’t gained greater than eight video games since 2015, and haven’t gained greater than 10 video games since Madonna’s “Justify My Love” was the No. 1 track in America in 1991. (Not coincidentally, they gained the Tremendous Bowl that yr.)
Now coming into the 2024 season, the Commanders discover themselves in an sadly acquainted spot – transitioning to a brand new head coach and quarterback.
They poached Dan Quinn away from the division-rival Dallas Cowboys after firing head coach Ron Rivera, they usually drafted Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels out of LSU with the second general choose within the 2024 NFL Draft. No matter how you are feeling about Daniels’ potential as a professional (extra on that in a minute), the strikes Washington has made might result in them stunning many in 12 months One of many Quinn regime.
Commanders’ free company additions
The Commanders weren’t afraid to spend cash this offseason, meting out over $167 million in complete cash to free brokers. A number of of these gamers adopted Quinn from Dallas to Washington; defensive ends Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler and cornerback Noah Igbinoghene will all play roles in strengthening a Commanders protection that allowed essentially the most yards within the NFL in 2023. Armstrong and Fowler, specifically, will give the Commanders an enormous enhance in stress off the sting, as Washington had the bottom stress proportion of any workforce. The 2 mixed for 11.5 sacks in 2023 as rotational cross rushers in Dallas, and have earned bigger roles this yr in Washington.
It was clear that the aim for the Commanders was so as to add a number of revered veterans on each side of the ball. I like the addition of Frankie Luvu at linebacker. He’s considered one of my favourite gamers within the league, and has constantly however quietly been among the finest off-ball ‘backers in soccer. He had 5.5 sacks a season in the past from the center of the sphere, and 12.5 over the past two years. Not solely that, however he is among the higher protection linebackers within the NFL and has an incredible nostril for the ball. Bobby Wagner joins Luvu to create an excellent tandem of linebackers in the midst of the sphere. Regardless of his age, he nonetheless led the NFL in tackles in 2023. Signing Jeremy Chinn to pair with Darrick Forrest provides them two very stable safeties on the again finish, as properly. Total, it is a unit that has a low bar to clear from a season in the past, and ought to be a lot improved, even after shedding Kendall Fuller.
The extra necessary observe for the Commanders’ protection is that this isn’t going to be a Jack Del Rio unit. Quinn goes to do extra man-coverage stuff and be aggressive with what number of rushers he sends. That fashion of protection will profit 2023 first-round choose Emmanuel Forbes, who struggled underneath Del Rio.
Offensively, Washington completed the yr with the sixth-fewest dashing yards within the NFL. A number of that needed to do with how poor their offensive line was. They added one other former Cowboy, Tyler Biadasz, to be the anchor within the center at middle, in addition to Michael Deiter from the Texans to play on the within. The large-name addition, although, was working again Austin Ekeler, who’s coming off his third straight season of 1,000 yards from scrimmage and will likely be appeared upon as a veteran chief for this younger offense. And whereas all these additions are noteworthy, the destiny of Washington’s season will come right down to how good their rookie quarterback performs.
Commanders’ 2024 NFL Draft picks
Quarterback Jayden Daniels enters the NFL with a number of pink flags. Whereas he’s 6-foot-4, he weighs simply 210 kilos and performs like he’s filming the most recent Jackass film. His slim body mixed with a reckless fashion of play is a film Washington followers have already seen with Robert Griffin III. Plus, I’m additionally skeptical of Kliff Kingsbury working the offense — we noticed how that went in Arizona. Terry McLaurin is an incredible receiver, and arguably essentially the most underrated receiver in soccer, however I’ll must see it to consider it with the offense.
Defensively, although, Washington hit a number of residence runs. Getting Illinois defensive sort out Johnny Newton and Michigan cornerback Mike Sainristil within the second spherical give them two Day One starters. Newton was arguably one of the best inside lineman within the draft, and Sainristill was the draft’s prime nickel nook. I additionally love taking one of the best tight finish within the draft in Ben Sinnott, and getting a slot receiver in Luke McCaffrey out of Rice to shut out Day Two.
Washington Commanders’ possession change
A giant cause why the Commanders had been prepared to spend a lot cash is due to the brand new brass up prime. Josh Harris and the Commanders’ new possession group acknowledge that it is a de facto rebuild, and appear to have the persistence mixed with the willingness to spend cash as a way to do this rebuild the precise manner.
It’s a a lot completely different method than former proprietor Daniel Snyder. He spent cash, however typically funneled it to at least one participant time and time once more, which always blew up in his face. Deion Sanders, Adam Archuleta, Jeremiah Trotter, Albert Haynesworth and numerous different examples of Snyder meting out massive cash, the latter of which was over $100 million. With Harris, he isn’t taking many large swings that would end in an enormous strikeout. Slightly, the Commanders are going for singles and doubles with good position gamers and dependable veterans.
Roster-wise, the Commanders are a lot better than they had been 12 months in the past, and you may say the identical about their teaching employees. That they had large holes throughout their protection and alongside their offensive line that they addressed, and added somebody who they hope will likely be their franchise quarterback in Daniels. At minimal, they are going to be higher than they had been in 2023 after they went 4-13. At most, whenever you scope across the NFC, can they be a Wild Card contender, and maybe even sneak in? Maybe.
Realistically, this appears like a workforce that may win between six to eight video games and use this season as a springboard for 2025 to proceed rising. However quite a lot of that progress and potential will hinge on how good their rookie quarterback may be, and if he’s the long-term reply.
