Commanders' former first round draft pick headlines 3 players that may have saved their job against Dolphins
For a team like the Washington Commanders, very little is guaranteed when it comes to starting jobs, or roster spots, in general.The team is "recalibrating" as head coach Dan Quinn calls it, but a lot of people would call it "rebuilding". Either way, the roster has undergone a lot of changes as the new staff […]
For a team like the Washington Commanders, very little is guaranteed when it comes to starting jobs, or roster spots, in general.
The team is "recalibrating" as head coach Dan Quinn calls it, but a lot of people would call it "rebuilding". Either way, the roster has undergone a lot of changes as the new staff and front office try to build it in their vision.
A dramatic overhaul such as the one the Commanders are currently going through means that some guys could be in for a surprise when it comes to their new role or what they need to do in order to keep their job/make the team. I mean, just look at all the stuff that was swirling around Jahan Dotson over the past week.
Fortunately for a few of the guys whose futures are a bit murky, their performance on Saturday night against the Dolphins could certainly keep them on 2024's 53-man roster.
1. DE/LB Jamin Davis
The 2021 first-rounder has been under the microscope his entire career and the results he's put on the field haven't lived up to expectations. So much so to the point where Quinn is trying to convert him from linebacker to defensive end.
It's been a slow process, so far, but it looks like it took a nice step forward when Davis made a nice move that led to a strip-sack on Dolphins QB Mike White. It was all Davis on the play and the fumble was recovered by rookie defensive end, Javonte Jean-Baptiste.
"I think that was a big step," Quinn told reporters after the game. "And when you put that much work in, it's nice to be rewarded for that. He's really put in a lot of work with [pass rush specialist] Ryan [Kerrigan] and with [defensive line coach] Darryl [Tapp] to get that part of his game right. And going into the game, we had some injuries at linebacker, and so would we put him back down there? I said, 'I really want to see him down on the line of scrimmage, again.'
"You know, he's getting close to what we want to see. Even before the sack, he did a nice job on the keeper. That was a rollout, and you just felt his speed. And so it was exciting to see all the players get that excited for him. You can generally see when the sideline erupts for somebody, what their teammates think about them, and I think they're recognizing how hard Jamin's putting in the work for it. So it was good to see him rewarded for that."
A lot of training camp talk has centered around the idea that Davis' roster spot isn't safe, but he should be on the 53 after Saturday night. Not only do the Commanders need the depth on the edge, but Davis' contract structure will also help things to the point where he'll get a chance to prove himself, this year.
2. QB Jeff Driskell
This is obviously Jayden Daniels' team and Marcus Mariota is the clear No. 2 when healthy. Beyond that, though, is unknown. Especially considering the amount of guaranteed money the Commanders paid undrafted rookie Sam Hartman.
Driskell looked really good on Saturday night, making plays both on the ground and through the air. He finished the game 11-of-15 for 82-yards and was the team's leading rusher with 45-yards on four carries.
He didn't get the offense into the end zone, but he did put the unit in position, twice, to make field goals. Riley Patterson missed one of the opportunities and hit the other, leaving Driskell responsible for helping put three points on the board.
Mariota has battled injuries the past, so that's something to keep in mind. And when accounting for Hartman's injury, plus Driskell's most recent performance – it's easy to see why Driskell may have saved his job.
3. DE Javonte Jean-Baptiste
Look, when you're a seventh-round rookie, there's no guarantee you're making the 53-man roster. But, that's not going to be the case for Jean-Baptiste.
The former Fighting Irishman recorded his "first" NFL sack against the Dolphins and it embodied everything Quinn wants to see out his players: hustle, violence, and perseverance.
"Here in the locker room, you could see guys who were gassed, and they were also pissed, you know, because they really went for it. And that's honestly, as the coach, you know, what you're looking for," said Quinn. "We came down here to say, 'Could we go get better?' You know, we had two opportunities to come do that at the practice and at the game, and I think we absolutely did that. It's not going to show that on the win column today, but you do learn and you get better in these moments. And knowing that as the games come down to the end, there's value in that."
Jean-Baptiste, as mentioned earlier, also recovered the fumble that stemmed from Davis' strip-sack. It was a big night for the youngster and it should help him win that final DE spot, as a result.
