5 Commanders bursting onto the scene bigger than anyone imagined

Things haven't been easy for the Washington Commanders through three weeks of the 2025 season. They are sitting at 2-1 with some winnable games upcoming, but several concerning injury problems remain a potential issue that must be navigated effectively.

Any contending team knows that success requires a collective effort. It's a grueling process to reach the mountain top. The Commanders are calling on fringe or inexperienced players to do more than anyone anticipated, and they've stepped up accordingly.

It's a fluid situation. Dan Quinn is doing a tremendous job of focusing on the task at hand, ensuring everyone is ready when their time comes. This is also another sign of the exceptional resolve in the locker room — something that spearheaded their remarkable surge to the final four in the head coach's first season at the helm.

Some haven't yet met their billing. It's still early in the process, so pressing the panic button would be foolish. But for others, they are coming through better than even the brightest optimist envisaged.

With this in mind, here are five Commanders players who are bursting onto the scene bigger than anyone imagined so far.

Commanders players bursting onto the scene bigger than anyone imagined

Trey Amos - Commanders CB

There was cautious optimism around Trey Amos heading into his rookie campaign. The second-round pick won a starting job on the boundary relatively early in training camp. At the same time, everyone knows that first-year cornerbacks tend to go through more growing pains than most.

It's not perfect by any stretch of the imagination. Amos has also dealt with a couple of nagging injuries. Even so, one cannot be anything other than impressed by the way he's gone about his business so far.

The former Ole Miss standout is far from a weak link. One could even argue that he's been the strongest cornerback from a consistency standpoint, allowing just 45.5 percent of targets thrown in his direction and a measly 58.1 passer rating when targeted. His 70.0 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus is immensely encouraging, especially early in his NFL journey.

Hopefully, the calf issue sustained by Amos against the Las Vegas Raiders doesn't keep him out of action. Either way, it seems, for all the smart money, as if the Commanders have a bona fide draft steal on their hands with the No. 61 overall selection.

Amos doesn't fear anything or anyone. No matter the challenge in front of the player, he tackles it head-on. And the league is already noticing.

Javon Kinlaw - Commanders DL

One of the biggest positives through three weeks has been the defensive front. Concerns were widespread among the fan base after the team was overwhelmed by the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship game. It's early days, but it seems as if things are trending up for a unit integral to the team's hopes this time around.

The Washington Commanders' most significant investment in this area of the field was Javon Kinlaw in free agency. Adam Peters signed the player to a three-year, $45 million deal, which also came with a $30 million guarantee. The move was instantly deemed a massive overpay, with others claiming this gamble would backfire spectacularly.

Kinlaw heard all the criticism and was eager to silence his doubters. The South Carolina product's relentless aggression and dominant physical traits have been a revelation so far. If the same trend continues, this will be a wise investment.

A lot of Kinlaw's best work doesn't show up on the stat sheet. His explosiveness off the snap and brute strength strike fear into opposing offensive lines. Protections naturally shift towards the lineman, freeing up space for the likes of Daron Payne, Johnny Newton, and Dorance Armstrong Jr. to do damage.

Couple this with Kinlaw's outstanding prowess against the run, and it's not hard to see why optimism is surging.

Ben Sinnott - Commanders TE

Losing blocking tight end John Bates to injury was one of several blows being navigated by the Commanders. The NFL is next man up all the time, which placed the microscope firmly on 2024 second-round pick Ben Sinnott to step up when his team needed him most.

Sinnott was drafted No. 53 overall due to his athleticism in the passing game more than his blocking capabilities. They were a work in progress, but that's what the Commanders needed from the Kansas State product in Week 3 against the Las Vegas Raiders.

The Commanders demanded more from Sinnott. He answered the call through a highly encouraging display that left fans hopeful for his long-term outlook with the organization.

Whenever Sinnott's number was called, he produced the goods. He was a constant source of encouragement in the blocking aspect of playing the tight end position. He didn't catch a pass, but the Commanders didn't require that from the second-year pro. His snap count surged to 57 percent — eighth-highest on offense — which is a sign of the improved confidence in him from the coaching staff.

Bates is looking to get back sooner rather than later. He'll take over the primary blocking responsibilities, but Sinnott's effort in Week 3 represents a massive boost.

Chris Paul - Commanders OL

The Washington Commanders made some hefty investments in their offensive line this offseason. This centered mainly on the tackle positions, with the trade for Laremy Tunsil and taking Josh Conerly Jr. in the first round gaining significant hype.

That left things uncertain on the interior, especially without the services of stud right guard Sam Cosmi. It was solid, if not spectacular, in Week 1, but they were exposed in no uncertain terms against the Green Bay Packers. That led the coaching staff to drastic action.

Andrew Wylie came in to replace Nick Allegretti on the right-hand side. Brandon Coleman, a third-round pick last year, was made a healthy scratch in favor of Chris Paul for Week 3 against the Las Vegas Raiders. This raised a few eyebrows, but the seventh-round fringe player maximized his opportunity to cement his importance to the squad.

Paul was outstanding in all phases. His pass protection was first-class, and his run blocking was dominant from the first whistle. It was a tone-setting showcase of his physical attributes, and the Commanders looked a lot more efficient as a result.

The former Tulsa star currently leads all guards league-wide with an 86.0 overall grade from Pro Football Focus. His 82.9 run blocking grade also leads the NFL, so the left guard spot is probably his until further notice.

Dorance Armstrong Jr. - Commanders DE

Much was made about the Commanders' lack of pass-rushing options heading into the season. Fans didn't think general manager Adam Peters did enough to strengthen the ranks, which became a glaring flaw during the NFC Championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles last season.

Losing defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. to a torn quad wasn't exactly ideal. Fortunately for the Commanders, they have an emerging edge rusher who is well on track for a breakout campaign, despite most analysts expecting the opposite.

Dorance Armstrong Jr. has been outstanding to start the campaign, which was needed after an indifferent first year in Washington. He currently ranks seventh in sacks with three. He is third in run stops with 10. The former Kansas prospect is 12th in total pressures (14), and his grades from Pro Football Focus reflect these improved performance levels.

Armstrong's pass-rush grade of 70.5 is impressive. His 74.9 run defense grade places him 12th out of 155 qualifying edges around the league. This comes across on tape, and it's making everyone on the defensive line better.

The Commanders signed Preston Smith to fill the void left by Wise. Regardless of whether he can contribute or not, Armstrong has already proven his worth as the alpha dog.