The Washington Commanders are busy making every practice count as preparations gather pace for the 2024 season. It hardly seems like there’s been an offseason at all considering the developments across the franchise. But for the first time in months, the focus is turning to the football side of things rather than hiring and recruitment.
Things are looking up, there’s no getting away from that. Adam Peters has done his part by revamping the roster while also acknowledging that the hard work is just beginning. The pressure now falls on Dan Quinn and his coaching staff to put their plans for a more productive product in all phases into action.
Expectations are growing, but it could go either way. The Commanders need their new signings and draft picks to hit the ground running. They also need some around previously to enhance their contributions after most lacked motivation last time around.
The stakes couldn’t be higher for some. With this in mind, here are four Commanders players whose stock could crash beyond repair in 2024.
Chris Paul – Commanders OL
It looked for a long time as if Chris Paul would get a legitimate chance to firmly establish himself as the starting left guard in 2023. However, injuries and poor production meant it was another underwhelming campaign for the interior offensive lineman.
Paul’s pass protection was once again exposed. He turned out in 438 snaps, giving up one penalty and conceding five sacks. The former seventh-round pick was unable to make his presence felt on running plays, so it came as no surprise to see Pro Football Focus give him a woeful 38.8 grade as a result of his efforts.
The Washington Commanders signed Nick Allegretti to become their starting left guard under the new regime. This demotes Paul further down the depth chart with an uncertain future attached.
If he does see the field, anything less than significant improvements will come with grave consequences attached. Paul is not only fighting for his Commanders’ future, but another indifferent season could see the entire league turn their back on the Tulsa product.
Clelin Ferrell – Commanders DE
The Washington Commanders moved swiftly to enhance their edge rushing options this offseason. This was almost guaranteed after those in power traded Chase Young and Montez Sweat before the 2023 deadline – a move that disintegrated any consistent pass-rush in the blink of an eye.
Adam Peters and Dan Quinn turned to veteran players they know well. Dorance Armstrong Jr. and Dante Fowler Jr. joined from the Dallas Cowboys. Clelin Ferrell signed a short-term deal after spending one season with the San Francisco 49ers. These moves have to pay off for Washington’s defense to stand any chance of making strides next time around.
Ferrell might never reach the heights expected of a No. 4 overall selection, but he could be a decent asset if utilized correctly. It’s not his fault the Las Vegas Raiders drafted him too high. He’s just bearing the brunt of poor pre-draft assessments from Mike Mayock and others in positions of power at the time.
This is a crossroads campaign for Ferrell. He’s been a bit part player over the last three years, but there were signs of life with the Niners last season that didn’t go unnoticed by Peters.
It’s a low-risk, high-reward pickup by the Commanders, but no more than that. The Virginia native is relishing the chance to play closer to home, which should help spur him on. At the same time, he needs to prove worthy of prominent reps and beat out Fowler for the second starting defensive end spot opposite Armstrong.
If Ferrell can do this, opportunities to make plays should be plentiful. Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne will take up the primary focus of opposing protection schemes. This might leave enough space for Washington’s edge rushers to do damage if they are schemed effectively by Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr.
Should Ferrell fluff his lines again, one would be hard-pressed to see a way back into a starting role with the Commanders or elsewhere moving forward.
Austin Ekeler – Commanders RB
Signing running back Austin Ekeler could be a tremendous piece of business for the Washington Commanders. He’s a prolific veteran who’s enjoyed a phenomenal career. If he can take this form into a different environment, it’s going to help Kliff Kingsbury’s revamped offense considerably.
One would be shocked to see Ekeler fail to meet expectations. He’s fully focused on silencing some doubters after things ended sourly with the Los Angeles Chargers. The former undrafted free agent is also looking to form a productive tandem with Brian Robinson Jr. rather than adopt lead-back responsibilities.
The signs are positive. But some concerns cannot be ignored.
Ekeler went over 1,000 all-purpose yards and scored six touchdowns last season from 14 games, but he did show signs of wear and tear. There is a lot of tread on his tires, which is something the Commanders must manage carefully to maximize his time with the organization next season and potentially beyond.
There’s also the age factor. Ekeler is 30 years old, which is the perceived cut-off point for running backs before they start to regress significantly. While the player looks to be in peak physical condition throughout Washington’s organized team activities, it’s something worth monitoring at the very least.
The Commanders seem confident that Ekeler is going to make an impact on and off the field. His pass-catching prowess and red-zone efficiency are exactly the sort of comfort blanket rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels needs during his pivotal transition. If Robinson picks up the heavy lifting and Kingsbury schemes things up effectively, this move should go off without a hitch.
There is a flip side to this coin. If Ekeler cannot maintain his exceptionally high-performance levels, the Commanders can move on from his deal after one season with minimal financial ramifications attached. It would also almost guarantee NFL teams will start looking at his future aspirations differently.
High stakes, indeed. But the NFL is a cutthroat business.
Emmanuel Forbes – Commanders CB
Emmanuel Forbes has more pressure on his shoulders than most. The cornerback went through incredible turmoil as a rookie after Ron Rivera tasked him with too much, too soon. It seems as if there is a long road ahead to justify his lofty draft status.
Forbes was always Washington’s primary target at No. 16 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. Those in power at the time ignored his slender frame, focusing their attention on the player’s ball-hawking prowess throughout a prolific college career at Mississippi State. Something the Commanders desperately needed in their secondary heading into a make-or-break campaign for Rivera.
The Commanders gave Forbes some significant responsibilities right out of the gate. His moments of quality were few and far between. He became physically outmatched and unable to cope with the elite-level standard of NFL wide receivers. Rivera had no option other than to bench his new prized possession to avoid his confidence going past the point of no return.
Forbes did come back into the lineup, but the same complications emerged. He conceded 37 completions (60.7 percent of targets thrown in his direction), 598 receiving yards, and a 103.0 passer rating when targeted. The defensive back’s 50.9 grade from Pro Football Focus is another glaring indication of his first-year struggles.
This is a fresh start for everybody, Forbes included. He’s still paper thin by professional football standards and needs some refinement technically. But now, he’s in the best possible hands thanks to the presence of Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr.
If Forbes cannot develop and become more consistent under the tutelage of two accomplished coaches, the Commanders have a big problem on their hands. The player cannot let this happen if he wants to carve out a successful career for himself.
Some sections of the fanbase are already starting to question whether Forbes was the right pick over someone like Christian Gonzalez. These concerns would be deafening if the ex-Bulldog went through similar complications in 2024.
