'24 Preview: Washington Commanders
All Access Football previews the 2024 Washington Commanders. All Access. All Football. All The Time.
Volume XXIV Edition XXIV | 2024 Preview: Washington Commanders
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WASHINGTON COMMANDERS 2024 SEASON PREVIEW
NFC EAST || 2023 Record: 4-13 || AAF Preseason Power Ranking: 28
Team Brass
Owner: Josh Harris || General Manager: Adam Peters || Head Coach: Dan Quinn || Offensive Coordinator: Kliff Kingsbury || Defensive Coordinator: Joe Whitt Jr. || Special Teams: Larry Izzo
2024 NFLPA Report Card || Overall Ranking (32 of 32)
Offense Rankings
Total Offense: 312.8 (24th) || Passing: 219.1 (18th) || Rushing: 93.6 (27th) || Points: 19.4 (T-24th) || Sacked: 65 (T-30th) || 3rd Down: 35.7% (T-24th)
Defense Rankings
Total Defense: 388.9 (32nd) || Passing: 262.2 (32nd) || Rushing: 126.8 (27th) || Points Allowed: 30.5 (32nd) || Sacks: 39 (26th) || Turnover Differential: -14 (32nd)
Top 10 Franchise Players
LB Bobby Wagner
DT Jonathan Allen
DT Daron Payne
WR Terry McLaurin
OG Sam Cosmi
RB Austin Ekeler
LB Frankie Luvu
CB Benjamin St. Juste
S Jeremy Chinn
S Darrick Forrest
Key Additions
RB Austin Ekeler (Chargers) || TE Zach Ertz (Cardinals) || OG Nick Allegretti (Chiefs) || C/OG Michael Deiter (Texans) || C Tyler Biadasz (Cowboys) || DE Dorance Armstrong (Cowboys) || DE Clelin Ferrell (49ers)|| DE Dante Fowler Jr (Cowboys) || LB Frankie Luvu (Panthers) || LB Bobby Wagner (Seahawks) || CB Noah Igbinoghene (Cowboys) || CB Michael Davis (Chargers) || S Jeremy Chinn (Panthers)
Key Losses
QB Sam Howell (Seahawks) || QB Jacoby Brissett (Patriots) || RB Antonio Gibson (Patriots) || WR Curtis Samuel (Bills) || TE Logan Thomas (49ers) || OT Charles Leno Jr || OG/OT Saahdiq Charles (Titans) || DE Casey Toohill (Bills) || LB Khaleke Hudson (Saints) || LB Cody Barton (Broncos) || CB Kendall Fuller (Dolphins) || S Kameron Curl (Rams)
Breakout Players
RB Christian Rodriguez Jr. - With a new regime comes a fresh start for all players. While Washington signed Austin Ekeler in the offseason, his rushing yardage took an alarming downtick, averaging just 3.5 yards per carry, nearly one full yard below his career average. With 250-plus touches in each of his past three seasons, there are some signs of wear and tear. The little-used Rodriguez Jr. owns a bruising run-style similar to fellow backup Brian Robinson. There’s a very good chance that both backs will make their mark in the run attack by season’s end.
CB Emmanuel Forbes - The relatively young secondary took its share of lumps last season with their first round pick serving as one of the main culprits. While Forbes had his fair share of struggles, he also had plenty of positives to build on for year two.
S Percy Butler - Somewhat of a revelation, Butler stepped up in a big way for the Commanders starting 13 games, while making 64 tackles as the last line of defense. An added year of experience should make this unit much stronger overall.
2024 NFL Draft Class
It’s a new era with a fresh regime and rookie franchise signal caller in Jayden Daniels. A lot will be on his plate from the gate. Commanders fans will learn to appreciate the high motor of second round selection Jer’Zhan Newton, while third round pick Mike Sainristill was the consensus top nickel back in the draft. Look for third round pick, tight end Ben Sinnott to also make an early impact. Initial Overall Rookie Assessment: High Level Impact
Rd.1 No.2 - QB Jayden Daniels, LSU | (photo: Washington Commanders)
Rd.2 No.36 - DT Jer'Zhan Newton, Illinois
Rd.2 No.50 - CB Mike Sainristil, Michigan
Rd.2 No.53 - TE Ben Sinnott, Kansas State
Rd.3 No.67 - OG Brandon Coleman, TCU
Rd.3 No.100 - WR Luke McCaffrey, Rice
Rd.5 No.139 - LB Jordan Magee, Temple
Rd.5 No.161 - S Dominique Hampton, Washington
Rd.7 No.222 - DE Javontae Jean-Baptiste, Notre Dame
UDFA Watch
WR, Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, Georgia
CB Chigozie Anusiem, Colorado State
S Tyler Owens, Texas Tec
Top 10 Players Under 25
QB Jayden Daniels (23)
CB Emmanuel Forbes (23)
DT Jer’Zhan Newton (21)
WR Jahan Dotson (24)
WR Dyami Brown (24)
CB Mike Sainristill (23)
TE Ben Sinnott (22)
WR Luke McCaffrey (23)
S Quan Martin (24)
OG Brandon Coleman (23)
Prediction
Vegas O/U Win Total: 6.5 - Commanders can’t muster the fight, 5-12.