The season is coming. The DNA of Sports editorial team offers you an update on the strengths and weaknesses of the 32 franchises. Today, the Washington Commanders 2024. You can find all the presentations by clicking on this link.
After the double name change, the Commanders continue their metamorphosis. Dan Snyder has (finally) sold the franchise and with the new management, a new hope is born. The chapter of shady stories and pitiful sports results seems to have finally been closed.
New staff, free agency Active and intelligent, promising draft, the new rails laid in the capital finally seem to be going in the right direction. But Rome was not built in a day. The path to reconnect with the team's glorious past will take time.
Last season: 4 wins – 13 losses, 4th in NFC East
Off-season moves
Notable Arrivals: Austin Ekeler (RB), Bobby Wagner (LB), Dorance Armstrong (DE), Marcus Mariota (QB), Zach Ertz (TE), Dante Fowler (DE), Frankie Luvu (LB), Tyler Biadasz (C) , Jeremy Chinn (S), Clelin Ferrell (DE), Michael Davis (CB), Brandon McManus (K), Nick Allegretti (OL), Noah Igbinoghene (CB), Olamide Zaccheus (WR), Michael Deiter (OL), Mykal Walker (LB)
Re-signings: Cornelius Lucas (OT), Efe Obada (DE), Jeremy Reaves (S), Jamison Crowder (WR)
Draft: Jayden Daniels (QB), Jer'Zhan Newton (DL), Mike Sainristil (CB), Ben Sinnot (TE), Brandon Coleman (OT), Luke McCaffrey (WR), Jordan Magee (LB), Dominique Hampton (S ), Javontae Jean-Baptiste (DE)
Notable losses: Sam Howell (QB), Curtis Samuel (WR), Kendall Fuller (CB)
For the first offseason of the post-Dan Snyder era, the capital experienced a hectic winter. A real overhaul of the sports project, with first and foremost the arrival of a new staff. Exit Ron Rivera and his more than modest record, and arrival of Dan Quinn from rival Dallas to take control of the team. The former Falcons coach is responsible for straightening out this NFL monument that has been languishing in limbo for many seasons. A defensive specialist, Quinn has attracted another former head coach to take charge of the offense. Kliff Kingsburry returns to the NFL after a one-season interlude as an analyst at USC.
And the new staff has not skimped on changes. Far from being dishonorable for his first campaign as a starter, Sam Howell was nevertheless sent to Seattle to make room for Jayden Daniels. Selected in 2nd position in the draft, the winner of the 2023 Heisman Trophy will be the standard-bearer of the new project. To surround him, he will be able to count on two quality safety valves. Austin Ekeler, even more valuable in the passing game than on the ground and the veteran Zach Ertz. In front of him, his protection has also been revised. If it will surely still remain quite far from the best squads in the league, the offensive line has been reinforced in quality and quantity.
Defensively, the work was considerable and the arrivals were plentiful. Face of this 2024 recruitment, Bobby Wagner, ten-time All Pro, will be the new defensive captain. He will be supported in the middle of the field by Frankie Luvu, one of the rare satisfactions of the Panthers last season. On the defensive line, after the mid-season purge, it was necessary to rebuild the pass rush. Armstrong and Fowler followed Quinn from Dallas and will be trusted men in his system.
Typical team:
Quarterback: Jayden Daniels – Running back: Austin Ekeler – Receivers: Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Luke McCaffrey – Tight end: Ben Sinnott – Offensive Line (left to right): Brandon Coleman, Nick Allegretti, Tyler Biadasz, Sam Cosmi, Andrew Wylie
Defensive Line: Dante Fowler, Daron Payne, Jonathan Allen, Dorance Armstrong – Linebacker: Frankie Luvu, Bobby Wagner, Jamin Davis – Cornerback: Emanuel Forbes, Benjamin St Juste – Safety: Darrick Forrest, Jeremy Chinn
The strong points)
With the penultimate NFL record, inevitably, at first glance, the strong points do not seem legion. However, the Commanders have what it takes to build around a more than honorable framework at key positions. Terry McLaurin has just put together a 4th consecutive season over 1,000 receiving yards. This consistency, his instincts and his hands are invaluable qualities when it comes to starting a rookie quarterback. An underrated receiver if ever there was one, his association with Daniels can finally offer him all the light he deserves.
Dan Quinn has succeeded everywhere he has been. At the helm of the Legion of Boom in Seattle, he won a Super Bowl. In Atlanta, he led the team to the Big Game. And in Dallas, he transformed an average squad into a top-five team in the league. And the 53-year-old technician has at his disposal a talented backbone, especially defensively with Allen, Payne, Wagner, Luvu, Chinn.
The weak spots)
How far away are the days when the Commanders' defense was considered one of the most intimidating in the country. In 2023, the capital franchise shone with its mediocrity. A sieve against the ground (27th) and non-existent against the pass (32nd), the team passed the 30-point mark conceded per game. Believing that the squad was already not limited enough, the front office also shed Chase Young and Montez Sweat during the season. And Kendall Fuller, the best cornerback, also flew off to other horizons during the spring. Despite the many recruits, the roster still seems quite limited. Quinn will have to get the best out of his men to hope for something from the season.
Among the last in the class in the running game last season, the team is sorely lacking a dominant and consistent runner capable of holding the ball and moving the attack forward. If the arrival of Austin Ekeler is a real added value, the former Chargers player is above all a versatile runner. He is capable of bringing a lot to the air game. In a pure runner role, he remains less effective, having never exceeded the 1,000 yard mark. The selection of Jayden Daniels, on the other hand, could provide a real boost. A true dual threat, the quarterback could, like a Lamar Jackson or a Jalen Hursts, become the number 1 asset and transform Washington's ground game.
Be careful not to see him out of service quickly, though. With 65 sacks conceded, the offensive line has been taking on water in a recurring and constant manner for many seasons. The few arrivals may not be enough to correct the situation. But the fact that Daniels knows how to run well is undoubtedly a good thing.
X-Factor: Kliff Kingsbury (offensive coordinator)
Presumed to be a revolutionary offensive mastermind, the former Cardinals coach had a mixed experience in Arizona. However, he led his team to a top-10 offensive ranking for two consecutive seasons. Relieved of the weight of the responsibilities of head coachKingsburry will be able to put 100% of his energy into his offense and his quarterback. And that's where he'll be expected. Helping Daniels transpose his magnificent skills seen in the NCAA to apply them to the NFL and helping him justify his status as the 2nd pick in the draft.
A fan of the Air Raid attack, Kingsburry is a promise of offensive fireworks. With playmakers like Ekeler or McLaurin, he has the personnel to put his principles into practice. The question is whether he will be able to compete and keep up with the rival Eagles and Cowboys. And whether this type of offense can perform sustainably in the league.
Player to watch: Dorance Armstrong (DE)
In the shadow of Micah Parsons or DeMarcus Lawrence in Dallas, Dorance Armstrong has nevertheless become an important player in Dan Quinn's system over the last two seasons.
By following his coach to Washington, the 27-year-old joins a defensive line that is completely depopulated on the outside, and de facto takes on the role of main threat. He will have to take another step forward and prove that he has the level to be a leader. The presence of players like Payne and Allen should help him not to focus all the attention of the opposing lines. And make him even more effective.
Washington Commanders 2024 Schedule
@Buccaneers, Giants, @Bengals, @Cardinals, Browns, @Ravens, Panthers, Bears, @Giants, Steelers, @Eagles, Cowboys, Titans, Bye, @Saints, Eagles, Falcons, @Cowboys
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In summary
After years of stagnating and appearing to move forward like a headless chicken, the Commanders have wiped the slate clean in recent months. At the heart of the new project, a seasoned staff and a promising young quarterback.
In its wake, the squad has also evolved with many new faces, mainly experienced. With all these parameters combined, the team should raise its head without difficulty. But with many deficiencies still, a tough division and the AFC North on the menu, it seems unlikely to consider playoffs this year.
