5 Commanders oozing superstar swagger on impressive Day 7 of camp

The action is heating up at training camp. Dan Quinn put his squad through three padded practices this week, which raised the bar considerably and further readied the players for some grueling upcoming challenges.

Everyone is locked in. Everyone is pushing each other to be better. Everyone is on the same page, even without wide receiver Terry McLaurin to call upon right now. He's still awaiting a successful contract resolution from the Commanders.

That's an ongoing distraction, but it has not detracted his teammates from firmly focusing on the task at hand. Players are still vying for prominent roles, depth positions, and to scrape their way onto the 53-man roster. They will also know that joint practices with the New England Patriots are coming, and the AFC East club won't be a pushover with new head coach Mike Vrabel leading the charge.

The foundations are being laid for success, and everyone from established pros to young upstarts is coming to the fore. This is exactly what Quinn had in mind after making his expectations abundantly clear before camp began.

And here are five Commanders players who oozed superstar swagger during another physical practice on Day 7.

Commanders players who oozed superstar swagger on Day 7 of training camp

Jacob Martin - Commanders DE/OLB

Von Miller's arrival changed the landscape for others. The Washington Commanders needed an injection of positivity in the pass-rushing unit after concerns were growing among the fan base. The future Pro Football Hall of Famer alleviates this slightly, although asking him to log starting reps seems unrealistic.

One could argue that Jacob Martin is the player most impacted by Miller's presence on the squad. However, the free-agent signing is leaving no doubt regarding his potential influence.

Martin is impressing considerably at training camp. He's showcasing explosiveness and outstanding technical prowess, both in one-on-one drills and team scrimmages. He's getting the better of almost everyone in his path, which can only bode well for his chances of gaining rotational reps on the defensive line in 2025.

The veteran has bounced around the league, performing moderately en route to 21 career sacks in seven years. Martin is a dependable pro without ever setting the world alight. It's only camp, but it seems like Dan Quinn, Joe Whitt Jr., and other defensive coaches are bringing more from the former sixth-round selection out of Temple.

Finding the consistency needed is the next challenge, but Martin couldn't be doing much more to stake a claim right now.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt - Commanders RB

This is becoming a trend, and that's a good thing.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt is blazing a trail at training camp. The seventh-round running back is already getting reps with the first-string offense. He's gaining plaudits from fans, teammates, and coaches alike. There is purpose and aggression to everything he does, and the rookie is all but confirming his place on the 53-man roster for good measure.

Croskey-Merritt is carrying the football like his career depends on it. The NCAA's woeful decision to revoke his eligibility had cataclysmic implications on his draft stock, but it's lit a fire under the backfield force that's difficult to ignore.

The Washington Commanders implemented a lot of running plays on Day 7, which was in pads once again. Unsurprisingly, Croskey-Merrit quickly emerged as one of the genuine standouts.

The speed is real. The explosiveness and decisiveness are nothing short of outstanding. Croskey-Merrit believes he can take the football to the house every time he gets it. And when he spots a seam, the first-year pro has the conviction to go through it without hesitation.

It's hard to fathom the amount of momentum building around Croskey-Merritt. This is extremely unusual for someone taken No. 245 overall in any draft. But this is starting to feel different.

Zach Ertz - Commanders TE

Everyone knows what Zach Ertz can do. The Commanders might have concerns around other position groups heading into the new campaign, but they are fully aware of the tight end's dependability and ability to come through in the biggest moments.

Ertz galvanized his career with the Commanders last season. He was one of Jayden Daniels' most trusted targets — someone he looked to frequently in critical stages of close contests. The former second-round pick almost always delivered, and he deservedly received another one-year deal from the franchise before free agency.

It seems like the same trend is going to continue this time around.

Ertz and Daniels put their blossoming red-zone connection to good use during team scrimmages on Day 7 of training camp. There is a telepathic reading between the two that is difficult to stop. It also helps that the Stanford product is adept at making tough catches look routine, whether he creates separation or not.

The Commanders gave Ertz a new lease of life. He's keen to build on his career renaissance, although it would be disappointing if Ben Sinnott didn't start eating into his targets as the campaign progresses. Until then, the three-time Pro Bowler remains a focal point.

Javon Kinlaw - Commanders DL

The Washington Commanders took a big risk with Javon Kinlaw in free agency. Not many analysts or people around the NFL thought that the imposing defensive lineman would get a three-year, $45 million deal with $30 million guaranteed. Adam Peters thought it was a gamble worth making, but the pressure to repay this faith is palpable.

Kinlaw is confident in his abilities. The former first-round pick believes he is still improving with every passing year. But after getting such a big financial commitment from the Commanders, raising consistency is paramount to ensure Peters gets a significant return on his investment.

We're only in training camp, but the Commanders have seen glimpses of what Kinlaw can bring to the table. He's a ferocious, powerful figure who can overwhelm opposing offensive linemen whenever he sees fit. The South Carolina product put that on full display on Day 7 of training camp.

According to those in attendance, Kinlaw's explosiveness at the contact point caught the eye. There's not much anybody can do when he gets the upper hand in the trenches. The fact that he looks trim indicates that the Commanders will have no trouble moving him around to exploit mismatches.

There's a long way to go, but Kinlaw is off to a tremendous start.

Jaylin Lane - Commanders WR

There was one player who shone above all else on Day 7 of training camp. And it was another of Washington's draft class who took center stage in the most impressive way imaginable.

Jaylin Lane turned this session into his own stage. The No. 128 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft is growing in stature and gaining the trust of coaches. This saw offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury involve the rookie wideout with the first-string offense more frequently than ever.

Lane did not look out of place, catching a touchdown from quarterback Jayden Daniels and being used on jet sweeps. This adds another wrinkle to the offense's creativity, which is never a bad thing.

Things got even better as practice went on. Lane put his blazing downfield speed to good use by catching a 60-yard touchdown pass from Sam Hartman. The duo combined for another score soon after, rounding off a phenomenal day at the office for the Virginia Tech product.

The transition has been seamless for Lane. Watching how he fares in the preseason will be far more telling, but he's got a shot to impact the offensive rotation while also putting his athletic attributes to good use in the return game right out of the gate.

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