It was hard to overlook the positivity surrounding the Washington Commanders this offseason. Adam Peters laid the foundations for a successful future by regenerating an underachieving roster. Dan Quinn and his staff brought fresh energy and progressive ideas that went down well with the players. Optimism about what this franchise might be capable of under this new regime grew as a result.
This was a positive and much-needed change of pace. Quinn knows it'll take much more for the Commanders to be competitive in 2024. How things evolve over training camp and preseason games will be a better indicator of what this group could potentially accomplish. Nobody is expecting a drastic surge forward, but there's a growing belief something special might be brewing if the same trend continues in the coming years.
The new ideas and enhanced strategy brought a positive response from everyone. Players came to the fore and in some cases thrived under the coaching staff. This is a solid foundation from which to build before Week 1 at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
With this in mind, here are three Commanders players who must build on promising offseason starts during the team's training camp in 2024.
Quan Martin - Commanders DB
The Washington Commanders didn't get much from first-round pick Emmanuel Forbes Jr. in 2023. He looked outmatched physically and was unable to bring his ballhawk credentials to the next level. There were far more positives from Quan Martin's standpoint during his rookie campaign.
Martin caught the eye when given significant responsibilities on the rotation. He was brought along gradually over the first few weeks of 2023. There was plenty to encourage during his work as a big nickel cornerback and roaming safety presence after that.
The former second-round pick out of Illinois has a physical profile that looks tailor-made for Dan Quinn's schematic demands. His size, explosiveness, and athleticism look set to become a major asset within improved schematic concepts. Martin enhanced his claims by standing out over early offseason workouts.
If the defensive back continues his impressive performances throughout camp and whatever reps come his way during the preseason, Martin promises to be a focal point in Quinn's expansive system next season and potentially beyond.
Jordan Magee - Commanders LB
Adam Peters navigated his first draft extremely well. The Washington Commanders had an abundance of weapons at their disposal and utilized them effectively. They found immediate difference-makers, a potential franchise player, and some intriguing development pieces that can emerge into valuable contributors with additional development.
It's early days, but the impact made by Jordan Magee over offseason workouts came with widespread plaudits attached. The No. 137 overall selection is a physically imposing figure with the athleticism to match. Carving out an immediate role for himself will be challenging considering the improvements made to Washington's linebacking corps, but he's off to the best possible start.
The Commanders brought in Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner to become a potentially dominant presence at the defensive second level. Jamin Davis is spending more time on the edge, which could provide an opportunity for Magee to impose himself if things go according to the script over Washington's training camp.
Magee is a sideline-to-sideline force with enough closing speed to get to the contact point quickly. His on-field vision and ability to decipher plays make him an asset against the run. Once the former Temple star becomes more impactful in coverage and as a pass-rusher, the Commanders could have a steal on their hands.
This is a positive first step for Magee, but no more than that. The player must impress when the pads go on and prove worthy of extended involvement right out of the gate. He looks like a rotational piece and core special teams presence right now, but there's still time for that to change.
There's a lot to like about Magee's chances of excelling in this setup. Learning from the likes of Wagner and Luvu is going to aid his development considerably. Dan Quinn knows how to maximize the skill set of his defensive players. This is another huge positive working in the rookie's favor.
The environment is everything for fledgling players like Magee. Making the most of it is another matter.
Jayden Daniels - Commanders QB
The Washington Commanders ended months of speculation by selecting Jayden Daniels at No. 2 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. It was a guessing game across the media with no leaks coming from Adam Peters' newfound professional front office in the nation's capital. However, it became obvious this was their primary target looking at the statements made following his arrival.
Daniels has everything one looks for in a franchise quarterback. He's exciting, can make things happen in the passing game or on the move, and carries himself with a natural aura that teammates naturally gravitate towards. This is something the Commanders haven't had since Robert Griffin III - something that can hopefully propel the organization to greatness if the support system around the signal-caller thrives.
The Heisman Trophy winner made a tremendous first impression. Daniels transitioned seamlessly into a professional environment. His high-performance levels during practice caught the eye. The player's willingness to go the extra mile in pursuit of progress gained instant respect from teammates and coaches.
This was an important first hurdle. Daniels is carrying the weight of expectancy on his shoulders and everyone - from players to coaches around him - knows that too. There's a collective mindset to make things around the former LSU standout easier. After that, everything else should fall into place.
Daniels' exceptional start to life with the Commanders only whets the appetite further heading into his rookie campaign. It's also making those around the league take notice. According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, some are anticipating Washington to be a dangerous operation with their new man under center.
Optimism is growing, but the hard work is far from over. Daniels must build on this newfound momentum throughout Washington's upcoming training camp and when preseason games get here. Just how much he's featured in warmup games is undetermined, but getting his feet wet with nothing on the line should stand him in good stead before competitive action.
The sky's the limit for Daniels. If he thrives during camp, expectations will go through the roof.
