With a new coaching staff at the helm, the Washington Commanders are aiming to turn the tide and avoid another last-place finish in the NFC East. While there’s a sense of optimism surrounding the team, several critical questions loom large, both offensively and defensively. Let’s dive into the three burning questions for the Commanders in the 2024 season.
Do The Washington Commanders Have Enough Weapons?
Last season, the Washington Commanders struggled offensively, gaining the ninth-fewest yards (312.8) and eighth-fewest points (19.4) per game. Despite these numbers, the team chose to bolster their defense by drafting defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton in the second round, passing on talented wide receivers like Adonai Mitchell and Ja’Lynn Polk, as well as running back Jonathan Brooks.
Washington’s ground game was lackluster, averaging just 93.6 yards per game, the sixth-fewest in the NFL. The addition of former Charger Austin Ekeler could provide a boost, but concerns remain. Ekeler, at 29 years old, posted a career-low 3.5 yards per carry in 2023, raising questions about his potential impact.
Wide receiver Terry McLaurin, despite coming off his fourth consecutive 1,000-yard season, recorded career lows with four touchdowns and 12.7 yards per catch. Unless third-year receiver Jahan Dotson or third-round pick Luke McCaffrey step up significantly, Washington might struggle to improve their aerial attack in 2024.
Do The Washington Commanders Have the Right Cornerbacks?
The Commanders’ secondary, which seemed promising after drafting Emmanuel Forbes 16th overall in 2023, faced unexpected challenges. Despite having players like Kendall Fuller and Benjamin St-Juste, cornerback woes persisted.
Forbes struggled with an elbow injury before being benched in Week 6 against the Falcons. St-Juste also underperformed in his third year, and with Fuller signing with Miami in the offseason, the secondary’s stability was further compromised.
To address this, Washington added depth by signing free agent Michael Davis and drafting Mike Sainristil in the second round. However, Sainristil is projected more as a nickel corner. Both additions could help, but without significant improvement from Forbes and St-Juste, the Commanders risk having one of the NFL’s weakest secondaries again.
Do Washington Commanders Have a Franchise Quarterback?
Since drafting Robert Griffin III with the No. 2 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Commanders have cycled through 13 starting quarterbacks, with names like Kirk Cousins and Sam Howell coming and going. The search for a stable and effective quarterback has been a long and arduous journey.
This year, Washington took a bold step by drafting Heisman winner Jayden Daniels second overall, hoping he could surpass Howell’s achievements. Howell, who finished 2023 as the league’s twelfth-leading passer, set a solid benchmark. Daniels had an impressive season at LSU, throwing for 3,812 yards and four touchdowns. However, 1,569 of those yards were caught by the Giants’ Malik Nabers, and 17 touchdowns went to Jacksonville’s Brian Thomas Jr.
For Daniels to succeed with the Commanders, he must develop a strong connection with McLaurin and Dotson. If he fails to replicate his college success, Washington might find themselves searching for their 14th starting quarterback since RGIII.
Summing Up
As the 2024 season approaches, the Washington Commanders face critical questions that will define their success. Can they find enough offensive weapons to compete? Will their cornerbacks step up to solidify the secondary? Most importantly, have they finally found a franchise quarterback in Jayden Daniels? The answers to these questions will determine whether the Commanders can turn their fortunes around and make a strong push in the NFC East. Stay tuned as the season unfolds, and these burning questions are put to the test.
Source: Yardbarker
