5 Commanders players alleviating concerns at 2024 training camp

All eyes were on the Washington Commanders at training camp following an offseason of almost unbelievable upheaval. Everything has changed. Everything looks different. This is a testament to how much planning Josh Harris' ownership group did behind the scenes to ensure this franchise finally starts to win back respectability.

The entire atmosphere across the organization took a positive surge forward. From the front office to the coaching staff and playing personnel, there's a sense of unity that hasn't been evident for decades. It's also raised competition and urgency with everyone working in unison towards one common goal.

There were some doubts about how long this vast rebuilding project would take to bear fruit. Fans need to be patient, although that's difficult after so much hardship on Dan Snyder's watch. Seeing is believing, but it's hard to ignore the decisive momentum accumulated so far.

With that being said, here are five Commanders players who are alleviating concerns at the team's 2024 training camp.

Commanders players alleviating concerns at 2024 training camp

Zach Ertz - Commanders TE

Zach Ertz was one of the league's best pass-catching tight ends once upon a time. The Washington Commanders think he's got some good football left after reuniting the veteran with Kliff Kingsbury in free agency. While that could be the case, fans were skeptical considering his regression with the Arizona Cardinals in 2023 before his release.

The fact Ertz took so long to find a new home before joining the Detroit Lions deep into the postseason only raised doubts about his arrival in Washington. He's gone a long way to silencing his critics after a sterling showing over training camp.

Ertz looks like someone who can make a significant difference in the passing game. His short-to-intermediate routes are crisp and his ball skills remain outstanding. More importantly, the former second-round selection is embracing the mentor role by helping those following in his footsteps such as Cole Turner and Ben Sinnott improve their respective games.

Asking Ertz to be an every-down flex option is a stretch at this late stage of his NFL journey. However, the three-time Pro Bowler is proving he can be an asset if Kingsbury picks and chooses his spots.

Brandon Coleman - Commanders OT

The Washington Commanders settled with Brandon Coleman at No. 67 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft after failing to trade back into the first round for another offensive tackle. That was a small blow, but general manager Adam Peters had supreme conviction in the former TCU star following his comprehensive evaluations.

Coleman's production for the Horned Frogs coupled with his impressive athletic traits left reasons for encouragement. Some analysts believed his lack of length would be better suited to the interior. Slotting a rookie on the blindside right out of the gate comes with obvious concerns attached, especially considering the Commanders also have a first-year pro under center in No. 2 pick Jayden Daniels.

These fears have been quashed in the best possible way so far. Coleman's transitioned smoothly to the pros and is making the starting left tackle job his own over veteran Cornelius Lucas. It's not been perfect all the time. However, it's better than even the brighter optimist envisaged.

Providing Coleman's shoulder soreness doesn't dent his progress, it would be a surprise if he wasn't the Week 1 starter at left tackle. What comes after that is more pivotal. However, one cannot be anything other than impressed by the way he's risen to every challenge.

Daron Payne - Commanders DT

Daron Payne regressed last season. He wasn't the only Commanders defender to suffer this fate as another campaign spiraled into the proverbial abyss under previous head coach Ron Rivera. There were still some moments of dominance, but the stud defensive tackle immediately got held to higher standards once he penned a lucrative long-term extension.

Some speculated whether Payne's 11.5-sack season in 2022 which resulted in his first Pro Bowl selection was merely because of extra motivation in a contract year. That seemed a little far-fetched considering the physical attributes at his disposal. Even so, the need to re-establish himself in a more enthusiastic environment was essential this offseason.

Payne's accomplished that and more. The former first-round pick out of Alabama returned to his dominant ways quickly alongside rejuvenated veteran Jonathan Allen. They've caused havoc throughout camp and are leading by example. This is the positive response everyone was looking for.

Joe Whitt Jr. was gushing in his praise of the interior tandem recently. He's expecting this duo to provide the sound building block that his defense can feed off next season and beyond - something that will make Washington a force to be reckoned with in no time.

Jahan Dotson - Commanders WR

Nobody questions Jahan Dotson's talent. He was a standout performer at Penn State in college and has shown flashes of brilliance over his first two seasons with the Washington Commanders. The wide receiver might not have fully broken out as yet, which is the biggest stumbling block remaining under the new regime.

Concerns are growing about whether Dotson will ever reach the level expected of a first-round selection. They are justified after another season of barely 500 receiving yards in 2023, but the signs emanating from training camp are immensely encouraging.

Dotson is benefitting from a more dynamic scheme with Kliff Kingsbury leading the operation. There's also plenty to like about his blossoming chemistry with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. Of course, this will be integral in his quest to put the NFL on notice in 2024.

It's a big season for Dotson with his fifth-year option decision looming. He's done a nice job of reaffirming faith in his abilities over camp. The next big test will be firmly establishing himself and ridding his game of unnecessary errors when the real action begins.

Jeremy Chinn - Commanders S

There was a sense of intrigue after the Commanders signed Jeremy Chinn in free agency. His athleticism and instinctive playmaking ability took the league by storm in 2020. Superstardom beckoned for the Southern Illinois product. What followed was a slow descent into irrelevancy with the Carolina Panthers.

Chinn's dealt with some frustrating injury problems that slowed his development. There were lapses in coverage once he switched back to the safety spot. When defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero came into the fold, the former second-round pick quickly became an afterthought.

This served as extra motivation for Chinn. He's hit the ground running with the Commanders, fitting in seamlessly to Dan Quinn's schematic concepts and earning a starting spot on the backend alongside Quan Martin. It's exactly the sort of start he was looking for - something that increases confidence about the player's chances of galvanizing his career under Joe Whitt Jr.

An impressive opening to life in Washington should provide his skeptics with some comfort. There's also a sense that this could be more than a one-year arrangement if the same performance levels are maintained during the regular season.

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