The Commanders need the younger players to emerge next season, and 3 of them can take advantage of one last game in Week 18
The Commanders need to see more from the younger players for next season, and Treylon Burks, Johnny Newton, and Drake Jackson have a big opportunity against the Eagles.
The Washington Commanders are ready to forget the 2025 season, but they still have one last showdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 18.
This offseason will be the most important, with a youth movement hopefully taking over the roster and fewer struggling veterans taking up roster spots. The younger players can get a head start by showing what they can do in the last game against an Eagles team headed to the playoffs.
We’ve already seen players like Bill Croskey-Merritt and Josh Conerly Jr. impress, but they need more to step up. Here are three players to keep an eye on who have an opportunity to end the season on a high note and make a lasting impression.
WR Treylon Burks
The Commanders saw what life without Terry McLaurin was like, and it was rough to say the least. It did, however, present an opportunity for the team to sign former first-round pick Treylon Burks.
The best outcome for both parties is that Burks becomes an excellent depth piece who stays healthy and is a target for Jayden Daniels. The Commanders absolutely need to add more weapons for Daniels this offseason, whether it’s in free agency or the 2026 NFL Draft, but Burks can be a rotational guy who’s made insane catches this year.
A full offseason with the team could do a lot for Burks and make him even better, but he also has one more game to make impressive catches and put up some stats. Quinn should let Burks play for the majority of the game, regardless of the score and how the game turns out. He needs every opportunity.
DT Johnny Newton
Daron Payne, missing the Christmas Day game against the Dallas Cowboys, ended up being a blessing, as second-year defensive tackle Johnny Newton had his breakout game with three sacks. These are the kind of performances that prove that younger players should’ve been playing more for weeks now.
Peters will have a tough decision regarding Payne, as he will be the team’s biggest salary-cap hit next year, and his production does not match his pay. Newton’s growth can make his decision much easier if he continues to produce on the line.
EDGE Drake Jackson
It’s only been two games for Drake Jackson, but he’s been quietly playing fine as he continues to knock off the rust from not playing since 2023. His first game back was against the Eagles, and he registered three pressures in just seven pass-rushing snaps.
Next week, he played 26 snaps, but only registered one tackle and zero pass-rushing stats on 16 pass-rush snaps. Jackson was always going to be a wild-card player when they signed him, but becoming another younger depth piece is still a win for this roster. Hopefully, he can end the season on a high note and get a full offseason with the team over guys like Preston Smith.