ASHBURN, Virginia Most eyes will be on the Washington Commanders’ first draft selection this spring. They might be able to end their long search for a franchise quarterback in Jayden Daniels. However, the progress of the team’s other first-round selections will influence Washington’s shopping needs for the upcoming offseason as well as the team’s performance this year.
Defensive end Chase Young was one of Washington’s four prior first-round selections, but he is no longer with the team. The remaining three, cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr., receiver Jahan Dotson, and linebacker Jamin Davis, all have doubts going into training camp. Forbes needs to establish himself as a starter; Dotson has been good, but the club needs more; and Davis is trying out a new position.
But with Dan Quinn as their new coach, the team gets a fresh start.
Davis declared, “Out with the old, in with the new.” “Get a chance to brush everything off and just go ball out.”
All of the players had qualities in spring that will make them interesting in August.
Jamin Davis, linebacker
In the hopes that Davis’ size (6-foot-4, 234 pounds) and speed (4.47 seconds in the 40-yard dash) would translate into a standout linebacker, Washington selected him 19th overall in the 2021 selection. Despite Davis’ steady improvement, the new management rejected Davis’ fifth-year option and instead signed Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu in free agency. To add depth, they also signed seasoned player Anthony Pittman and selected Jordan Magee in the fifth round.
For Davis, what does this mean? In the spring, it was necessary to determine whether he could become a proficient edge rusher from both the two- and three-point positions. He spent most of his time there, if not all of it, at minicamp.
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“He’s a big, strong, fast man with bending ability,” said Joe Whitt, the new defensive coordinator. We’ve had experience placing players in situations they might not be accustomed to. He’s enthusiastic about it and willing.”
Over the course of three seasons, Davis has averaged 4.6 pass rushes per game and seven sacks. Three of those sacks happened as a result of the quarterback failing to beat Davis, who was positioned in coverage, outside. One occurred as Davis stunted to the middle and used his speed when he was above the right guard in a two-point stance.
Davis worked extra after practice with assistant linebackers coach Ryan Kerrigan, the franchise’s all-time sack leader, to aid in the adjustment.
“I feel very at ease,” Davis remarked. It’s allowing me to let go and go chase some quarterbacks. I’ll follow it to where it leads.”
When coaching the defense in Dallas, Quinn deployed his linebackers in a variety of situations (Micah Parsons lined up everywhere), and he wants to see what Davis can manage.
“We’re trying to really push him on the versatility,” Quinn stated. We’ll get into it and it will take some time if he can benefit both the team and himself in that way. That’s not something you can say, “Okay, it’s there,” after one practice or one week. I’m rather pleased with his work ethic.”
Jahan Dotson, Wide Receiver
During the first rep of the spring practices, Dotson made an outstanding grab by overcoming Mike Davis’ press coverage. Terry McLaurin, a fellow receiver, was so excited to see it happen that he yelled, “If you use your hands like that at the line, they can’t stop you!”
Dotson has been working on it during the offseason. He has good feet, but his hands, which help him avoid media attention, may use some work. In his first two seasons, Dotson—who was selected 16th overall in the 2022 draft—has caught 84 receptions for 11 touchdowns. Alongside McLaurin, Washington needs a more capable second receiver. In the third round, Luke McCaffrey was also selected by the Commanders.
Worked out at Florida Atlantic with strength coach Joey Guarascio, “I wasn’t a fan of my season last year, so I went really hard this off season making sure that I’m a lot better,” Dotson said. “Last year I just didn’t feel like myself, but I’m starting to feel like I’m getting my swagger back a little bit.”
Additionally, he enjoys that Daniels, with whom he has previously trained, was drafted by Washington.
Dotson remarked, “That’s the quarterback I wanted.”
Trying to use his downfield abilities more would be crucial; Daniels was regarded as a superb deep ball passer in college. Dotson gained 20 yards or more on 28.6% of his catches in 2022. That percentage fell to 10.2 last year. As a rookie, he had an average of 14.35 air yards per target as opposed to 9.25 the previous season.
Although there were other contributing variables to that decline, receivers coach Bobby Engram stated that Dotson’s need for stronger hands at the line of scrimmage is one of the main causes. Additionally, in his first two seasons combined, he had an NFL-high pass drop percentage of 7.0.
“The focus has been on press releases,” stated Engram. “He is determining how to improve and what his next course of action is. He is aware that his ability to dominate down the field will increase if he excels at the line.
“He has such great feet in terms of his quickness at the line [so] the emphasis has been on his hands, not allowing guys to be as physical as they want to be.”
Broadly Jayden Daniels, the quarterback for the Commanders, and Jahan Dotson have previously collaborated. The USA TODAY Sports’ Geoff Burke
Emmanuel Forbes, CB
a fresh year. A fresh crew. A fresh perspective for Forbes.
Forbes said, “Oh yeah, 1,000% fresh start.” “They’re giving me the opportunity to showcase my talent.”
Forbes broke the NCAA record most interceptions returned for touchdowns in 2023 after being taken 16th overall. Due to injuries and subpar performances, he only started six of the 14 games he participated in with Washington and only intercepted one pass. During Quinn’s three seasons as defensive coordinator, his Dallas defenses led the NFL in takeaways with 93 in total.
Throughout the spring, Washington regularly rotated its defensive line, though Forbes was frequently one of the first two corners while working with the entire squad. Davis, a free agent that he signed, occasionally worked ahead of him. In addition, the Commanders have Noah Igbinoghene, Mike Sainristil, a rookie who is anticipated to play in the slot, and Benjamin St-Juste. In the 2025 offseason, Washington will need to acquire at least one, if not two, corners if Forbes fails to establish himself as a capable starter this season.
Prior to the draft, Forbes’s slender physique raised concerns. He claimed to have gained muscle during the offseason and is listed as 173 pounds. His weight wasn’t a problem, according to one of his former Commanders coaches, until he played Philadelphia Eagles receiver A.J. Brown.
Regarding the extra weight, Forbes remarked, “It helps me a lot.” “I can put hands on people and not get over-bullied or overpowered.”
However, he’ll need to prove that in August while wearing the pads. He also needs to show that he can consistently execute his footwork in coverage, which the coaches from last year said was another area of weakness.
A player with the fifth-longest wingspan and the third-fastest time among corners at the 2023 combine is coming to the new staff.
“The first part is really the ball skills and to be able to turn the ball over,” Quinn stated. And he possesses that superpower. Although he is undoubtedly taller now than he was when he was younger, that position actually requires athleticism, ball skills, and length to be able to guard some of the larger players.”
