5 Commanders surging from obscurity to steal the show at camp

Dan Quinn and his coaching staff have a wealth of additional knowledge about their squad with training camp in full swing. Terry McLaurin's contract standoff continues to get unwanted attention, but everything is going according to plan for the Washington Commanders aside from that.

Quinn is preaching the importance of high standards. He knows how quickly things can change if complacency sets in. This was his message to the players from the moment they got into the building, and it received the desired response.

The focus, energy, and enthusiasm that enveloped the franchise last season remained. Everyone is pulling together, working tirelessly to ensure their common goals are met. That's only going to serve the Commanders well as they look to enhance their status as a long-term leading contender.

Quinn and general manager Adam Peters will have a good indication of where the Commanders stand and what more might be needed. Things are looking good, but there remain some problem positions that could hold them back. At the same time, several unexpected positives are emerging with the scope to shake up the roster considerably.

With this in mind, here are five Commanders no one saw coming who are stealing the show at training camp.

Commanders players who no one saw coming are stealing the show at camp

Kain Medrano - Commanders LB

The Washington Commanders believe Kain Medrano's exceptional athleticism can be molded into something more. Fans were skeptical initially, but his strong showing at training camp so far is helping to turn the tide.

Medrano is a work in progress. The sixth-round selection needs significant refinement before confidence in his chances increases. There is rawness to the rookie's overall outlook, especially where his tackling technique and choosing the right angles against the run are concerned. But the signs at camp are encouraging nonetheless.

The UCLA product is making encouraging strides. Medrano's physical attributes are absolutely off the charts, and the Commanders are trying to find the best way to maximize them. This involves the first-year pro spending time at the defensive second level and also as a safety in specific situations.

It's brought a positive response from Medrano, and he's proving he belongs so far. Predicting anything other than a key special-teams role in Year 1 of his professional career would be foolish, but a bright future awaits if his early development is the start of something greater.

Time will tell on that, but linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr. won't be going easy on Medrano. That's a guarantee.

Javontae Jean-Baptiste - Commanders DE/OLB

Concerns about the Washington Commanders' pass-rushing options were eased by the signing of Von Miller. Asking the future Pro Football Hall of Famer to accumulate starting reps at this late stage of his playing career is unrealistic, but there's nothing to suggest he cannot make a difference as a rotational specialist if Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. pick their spots effectively.

Miller's credentials need no introduction. He's also keen to pass on his knowledge to younger teammates. This is an exceptional tool for them to utilize, and the early signs at training camp indicate that Javontae Jean-Baptiste is making the most of it.

The former seventh-round selection did well to make the squad last summer. Jean-Baptiste dealt with some injury issues, but there were also some encouraging flashes when opportunities came his way. Much more is needed for an expanded role, which is bringing a positive response at camp.

Jean-Baptiste looks comfortable. He's forcing the issue, but in a measured manner. The game has slowed down for him with extra experience and scheme familiarity. And he's making things extremely uncomfortable for any offensive lineman in his path.

While the Notre Dame product will likely be a rotational backup once again, don't be surprised if Jean-Baptiste makes a bigger impact if his camp showing to date is brought into the regular season.

Brandon Coleman - Commanders OL

Brandon Coleman has gone to the proverbial shadows this offseason as the forgotten man in Washington's new offensive line dynamic. However, that doesn't mean the 2024 third-round selection isn't an important element of the equation.

Coleman endured a rollercoaster rookie campaign. The Commanders tasked him with substantial responsibilities, initially sharing left tackle duties with Cornelius Lucas before assuming complete command of the blindside spot. This came with plenty of positives, but there were also severe growing pains that brought drastic action from general manager Adam Peters.

Protecting quarterback Jayden Daniels was Peters' biggest priority. The Commanders made a monumental splash by trading for Laremy Tunsil. They spent the No. 29 pick on Josh Conerly Jr. This is an undoubted positive, but it left Coleman with an uncertain future.

The Commanders hadn't lost faith in Coleman; they just felt his physical attributes would be better suited on the interior. This was the opinion of many draft analysts before he came into the league, and it seems their assessments were accurate.

Coleman is being deployed as the starting left guard next to Tunsil. That's the best security blanket imaginable for the TCU product, and the fact that he's growing in stature as camp gathers pace is a testament to his adaptability.

Jordan Magee - Commanders LB

Jordan Magee looked like a bona fide steal during the Washington Commanders' offseason program last year. The athletically gifted linebacker burst onto the scene with his unique blend of size and explosiveness. Unfortunately, the rookie was dealt a cruel blow when a knee injury required surgery.

To say this dented Magee's momentum would be an understatement. The former Temple standout needed significant time to rehabilitate and was placed on injured reserve. He got back into the mix in Week 8, but the Commanders opted to deploy him as a special-teamer more often than not.

Magee flashed on special teams. He did get some fleeting defensive involvement, which whetted the appetite for an increased role this year.

That appears likelier than ever after another standout summer so far. Magee is fast, decisive, and his extra knowledge of the schematic concepts is obvious. Bobby Wagner has been on hand to provide support every step of the way, and the future Pro Football Hall of Famer is impressed by the way his protégé is coming along in Year 2.

This was also acknowledged by Joe Whitt Jr., who wants to get Magee onto the field more frequently. Based on his camp contribution so far, it's not hard to see why optimism is growing.

Chris Moore - Commanders WR

Getting noticed in a crowded wide receiver room is challenging. The Commanders don't have many available spots up for grabs, so the margin for error couldn't be slimmer with time running out to impress.

Almost every pass-catcher has shone at various stages. They are getting more chances without Terry McLaurin on the field. Of course, he's still dealing with a contract dispute and a supposed ankle issue on the physically unable to perform list.

It's not ideal, but Dan Quinn and Kliff Kingsbury are making the best of it. For someone right on the fringes like Chris Moore, it's a chance he cannot waste.

Moore has been a pleasant surprise throughout the offseason. Fans weren't expecting much from the veteran, but he continues to exceed expectations. This started over Washington's offseason program and has extended into training camp.

Whether this is enough for Moore to find his name on the 53-man roster is debatable. He's got a shot, but there is a long way to go. How the player performs in joint practices and preseason games will ultimately determine his fate.

It could still go either way for Moore. However, he's provoking discussion by making plays. Everything after that is out of his hands.

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