The Washington Commanders have been an intriguing enigma getting 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 music in America in 1991. (Not coincidentally, they gained the Tremendous Bowl that yr.)
Now getting 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, and so they drafted Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels out of LSU with the second total 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 may result in them stunning many in Yr One of many Quinn regime.
Commanders’ free company additions
The Commanders weren’t afraid to spend cash this offseason, allotting 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 probably the most yards within the NFL in 2023. Armstrong and Fowler, specifically, will give the Commanders a large enhance in strain off the sting, as Washington had the bottom strain proportion of any workforce. The 2 mixed for 11.5 sacks in 2023 as rotational move rushers in Dallas, and have earned bigger roles this yr in Washington.
It was clear that the purpose for the Commanders was so as to add a number of revered veterans on either side of the ball. I like the addition of Frankie Luvu at linebacker. He’s one in all my favourite gamers within the league, and has constantly however quietly been probably the greatest off-ball ‘backers in soccer. He had 5.5 sacks a season in the past from the center of the sector, and 12.5 during the last two years. Not solely that, however he is likely one of the higher protection linebackers within the NFL and has an amazing nostril for the ball. Bobby Wagner joins Luvu to create an excellent tandem of linebackers in the course of the sector. Regardless of his age, he nonetheless led the NFL in tackles in 2023. Signing Jeremy Chinn to pair with Darrick Forrest offers them two very stable safeties on the again finish, as properly. General, 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 dropping Kendall Fuller.
The extra essential 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 model of protection will profit 2023 first-round choose Emmanuel Forbes, who struggled beneath Del Rio.
Offensively, Washington completed the yr with the sixth-fewest dashing yards within the NFL. A whole lot 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 massive-name addition, although, was operating again Austin Ekeler, who’s coming off his third straight season of 1,000 yards from scrimmage and might be seemed 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 purple flags. Whereas he’s 6-foot-4, he weighs simply 210 kilos and performs like he’s filming the latest Jackass film. His slim body mixed with a reckless model of play is a film Washington followers have already seen with Robert Griffin III. Plus, I’m additionally skeptical of Kliff Kingsbury operating the offense — we noticed how that went in Arizona. Terry McLaurin is an amazing receiver, and arguably probably the most underrated receiver in soccer, however I’ll have to see it to imagine it with the offense.
Defensively, although, Washington hit a number of residence runs. Getting Illinois defensive deal with Johnny Newton and Michigan cornerback Mike Sainristil within the second spherical give them two Day One starters. Newton was arguably the most effective inside lineman within the draft, and Sainristill was the draft’s high nickel nook. I additionally love taking the most effective 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
An enormous cause why the Commanders have been prepared to spend a lot cash is due to the brand new brass up high. 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 in an effort to do this rebuild the fitting means.
It’s a a lot completely different strategy than former proprietor Daniel Snyder. He spent cash, however usually funneled it to 1 participant time and time once more, which continually blew up in his face. Deion Sanders, Adam Archuleta, Jeremiah Trotter, Albert Haynesworth and numerous different examples of Snyder allotting huge cash, the latter of which was over $100 million. With Harris, he isn’t taking many big swings that might lead to a large strikeout. Relatively, the Commanders are going for singles and doubles with good position gamers and dependable veterans.
Roster-wise, the Commanders are significantly better than they have been 12 months in the past, and you may say the identical about their teaching workers. That they had large holes throughout their protection and alongside their offensive line that they addressed, and added somebody who they hope might be their franchise quarterback in Daniels. At minimal, they are going to be higher than they have been in 2023 once they went 4-13. At most, while you scope across the NFC, can they be a Wild Card contender, and maybe even sneak in? Maybe.
Realistically, this looks 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 plenty of that development and potential will hinge on how good their rookie quarterback could be, and if he’s the long-term reply.
