3 Commanders rookies exploding onto the scene with potential star power

The Washington Commanders are 2-2 at the quarter mark of the 2025 NFL season. And make no mistake, the jury is still out on how the campaign will unravel.

With star quarterback Jayden Daniels having only played in two games to this point, it's hard to make any declarative statements. Fans aren't panicking, but the Commanders have to come out of their tough stretch in the coming weeks with more to show for their efforts.

The same can be said about Washington's rookie class, which consisted of only five draft picks and some undrafted free agents this year. It's far too early in their careers to label anybody a boom or a bust, but a few of the selections have already shown some considerable promise.

Commanders' rookies exploding onto the scene with potential star power

Trey Amos - CB

There haven't been many positives with Washington's cornerback unit so far. Mike Sainristil has gotten off to a slow start after his promising rookie year, and Marshon Lattimore may be past the peak of his powers. He's fully healthy and has had a full offseason to familiarize himself with the defensive scheme. Yet, the four-time Pro Bowler still looks like a liability.

Trery Amos, however, has primarily been a bright spot. He generated significant buzz all offseason. Four games into his rookie year, there's already an argument that he might be the Commanders' best defensive back.

He's had his inconsistencies, but that's to be expected. The sky is the limit for the second-round pick.

Jaylin Lane - WR

Perhaps the biggest positional pleasant surprise in Washington has been the special teams unit (save for kicker Matt Gay). Punter Tress Way is still outstanding, the return coverage has been solid after looking like a disaster in the preseason, and the Commanders' returners have consistently gained chunks of yardage to provide their team with quality starting field position.

Fourth-round rookie Jaylin Lane has been a significant part of that, most notably scoring a 90-yard punt return touchdown in Week 3 against the Las Vegas Raiders. He's still got some work to do in the receiving game, but injuries to Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown have allowed him to gain valuable experience.

The Commanders appear to have hit on one with the local Virginia Tech product.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt - RB

Of course, we can't leave out everybody's favorite rookie, the man known as Bill.

It's already easy to forget that Jacory Croskey-Merritt was a seventh-round pick for how crucial his role has been from the get-go. He rushed for 82 yards and a touchdown in Week 1 against the New York Giants. He hasn't been as involved as some hoped for since then, with single-digit carries in each of the past three games, but he is impressing with every opportunity.

Croskey-Merritt could use some work as a blocker and a pass catcher. This is why Washington has additionally featured Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Jeremy McNichols in its backfield ever since Austin Ekeler suffered a season-ending torn Achilles in Week 2. However, these developments will likely come with the No. 245 pick, once he gets more experience.

For now, the committee approach seems to be working, but if anybody is most likely to emerge as the star of the unit, it's Croskey-Merritt.