Washington Commanders: Players to watch during training camp
Now that training camp has begun for all 32 NFL teams, it’s officially speculation season. All eyes will be on the Washington Commanders, who are looking to improve from their 7–10 record a season ago.
After using a large amount of draft capital to shape their defense, this year the Commanders decided to invest more in their offense. They added a capable quarterback in Carson Wentz, plus a few high upside players in the draft. However, for both sides of the ball, the question still remains: who is going to step up and make this team better?
Here are a few names to look out for:
WR Curtis Samuel
A year ago, Curtis Samuel was battling a groin injury that never seemed to go away. Pair that with an eventual tweak of the hamstring and it’s a recipe for a season spent in the trainer’s room. That, however, is not the same Curtis Samuel that will be suiting up this summer.
“My body feels good, I’m excited. I feel better than I did last year … I feel ready to go, ready to run.” — Curtis Samuel, when asked about his health heading into training camp.
The last time Samuel was healthy going into the season was in 2020, where he put up 1,051 total yards on 118 touches in Scott Turner’s offense. If he can produce anything close to two-thirds of those totals, he and the Commanders will be in great shape. The real ‘if’ is if he stays healthy, which is why he’ll be a big name to keep track of during camp.
RB Brian Robinson Jr.
The Commanders jumped at the opportunity to draft Brian Robinson in the third round this past April. At the time, many questioned the pick because of the already capable running back group in Washington. However, as the offseason and training camp progresses, it should become clear as to why they took him when they did.
In 545 rushing attempts at the University of Alabama, Robinson had zero career fumbles. Antonio Gibson, as great as he can be, had five fumbles by himself last season. Robinson’s reliability and traditional playstyle will make him a big asset in Scott Turner’s offense. He’s also a 6-foot-1-inch, 230-pound beast of a human who runs a 4.5-second 40-yard-dash.
Don’t be surprised if Robinson gets a lot of work with the first team during training camp, because he might be coming for Gibson’s job by September.
CB Benjamin St-Juste
Year two for Benjamin St-Juste will be an important one, as he looks to pave his way to becoming a starting quality corner. He unfortunately missed time in his rookie season due to injuries, but despite that, many believe him to be one of Washington’s more underrated players.
When he played last season, St-Juste had success both on the outside and in the slot. His speed, long frame and tackling ability could be a perfect fit for Jack Del Rio’s ‘Buffalo nickel’ spot on defense. After accumulating a lowly 53.6 PFF grade a year ago, he still has a lot of room to improve. This training camp will likely help reveal his ceiling and if he can eventually step into a starting role.
LB Jamin Davis
Jamin Davis had a rough go of it during his rookie season. The first-round linebacker played 52.2% of all defensive snaps and registered just 48 solo tackles. Currently, the Commanders are pretty thin at linebacker, so Davis should see the field more and his numbers should improve accordingly. Another season like the last, though, will push Davis into ‘bust’ territory. He’s another name to listen for leading up to the regular season.
Honorable Mentions
QB Carson Wentz: Is he an improvement? How is his chemistry with WRs?
DE Chase Young: Will he be ready for Week 1? Does he bounce back?
WR Jahan Dotson: How NFL ready is he? Will he overtake the ‘gadget’ role?
LB Cole Holecomb: Can he become a true Mike LB?
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