5 Washington Commanders players who robbed the team blind in 2024

Nobody will ever forget what the Washington Commanders accomplished in 2024. But not everyone provided bang for their buck.

Head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters spearheaded an incredible culture shift across the franchise. From the fans to Josh Harris' ownership group and the players, everyone bought into the long-term project. The results were immediate and impressive in equal measure.

The Commanders went from the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to within one game of the Super Bowl. Quinn masterminded a campaign that saw 14 wins in total — 12 regular-season triumphs and two memorable postseason victories on the road. They eventually fell short in the NFC Championship game to the division rival Philadelphia Eagles, but this does not detract from the franchise's bright future under the new regime.

Peters' priority immediately turned to the offseason. The Commanders have 30 free agents, so there's a good chance things are going to look entirely different next time around. Some will be extended or released ahead of time. Another dramatic few months await before Washington congregates for organized team activities once again.

That's for the not-too-distant future. For now, here are five Commanders players who robbed the team blind in 2024.

Commanders players who robbed the team blind in 2024

Michael Davis - Commanders CB

The Washington Commanders took a chance on Michael Davis in free agency. Despite underperforming with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2023, those in power saw something in the veteran cornerback to give him a one-year, $3.54 million deal with the promise of potential starting involvement if he transitioned smoothly.

Things looked relatively promising for Davis earlier in the summer. He was getting starting reps on the boundary throughout OTAs and training camp. However, something changed that quickly saw him become an afterthought.

Davis was used sparingly throughout the campaign. His production didn't inspire confidence and he was a healthy scratch on two occasions down the stretch. This forced the Commanders into drastic action, switching second-round rookie Mike Sainristil to the outside and making a bold trade to acquire four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore from the New Orleans Saints.

This was a devastating blow to Davis' chances of firmly establishing himself in Washington. He's out of contract this offseason and should be moved on with little fanfare attached. Whether he catches on elsewhere remains to be seen, but his NFL prospects are hanging by a thread looking at his recent career trajectory.

Jamin Davis - Former Commanders LB/DE

Ron Rivera was a former linebacker before embarking on his coaching career. That's what made his complete neglect of the Washington Commanders' defensive second level even more bizarre.

The new regime wasn't going to make the same mistake. Adam Peters and Dan Quinn wasted no time in fortifying their linebacking corps in free agency. Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner came into the fold, which provided an injection of professionalism and energy that was sorely lacking previously.

This was exactly what the Commanders had in mind. It was an integral part of the team's renaissance both on and off the field. Unfortunately, it wasn't good news for everyone.

Jamin Davis was the prime example. After starting over his first three seasons, Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. had no real use for him as a linebacker. The Commanders tried switching to an edge rusher, but it didn't have the desired effect despite taking him through onto the 53-man roster.

Davis went from an established presence on defense to a healthy scratch more often than not. He didn't fit the scheme and the Commanders found upgrades where once he was the top dog. It came as no surprise to see the former first-round pick waived during the season after contributing almost nothing to the cause.

Darrick Forrest - Commanders S

Darrick Forrest was a curious case throughout the campaign. The safety looked to have a bright future entering the 2023 season before injury struck. He lasted just five games and couldn't get back. This also ended his once-productive partnership with Kamren Curl on the backend.

Curl moved to the Los Angeles Rams in free agency after the Commanders opted not to offer him a new deal. The new regime switched Quan Martin to the safety corps and signed former second-round pick Jeremy Chinn in free agency. When Forrest was ready to return, he found himself on the outside looking in.

The Commanders weren't confident in Forrest what whatever reason. He was active for three games out of the first 10. He went from 99 percent of the team's defensive snaps when healthy in 2023 to just 12% under Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. The trust wasn't there and he couldn't force his way into the team's plans.

Forrest will be a free agent this spring. He's probably relishing the prospect of starting fresh elsewhere whether the Commanders offer him a new deal or not. This represents a sad end for someone who looked capable of being a core foundational piece once upon a time.

Emmanuel Forbes Jr. - Former Commanders CB

Ron Rivera made plenty of mistakes during his time as head coach and primary decision-maker from a personnel standpoint. This was especially evident with his first-round draft picks.

None are still around. Chase Young was traded before Adam Peters arrived. Once the general manager got a good look at Washington's roster, he didn't hesitate to dispose of the three other first-round choices from Rivera's confidence-sapping tenure.

Jahan Dotson was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. We've already spoken about Jamin Davis' misfortune en route to being waived. Perhaps the most tragic tale of all came with Emmanuel Forbes Jr.

Rivera went into the 2023 NFL Draft with almost sole focus on Forbes. Even when Christian Gonzalez fell out of the top 10 and into their laps, there was only one prospect he wanted to take.

This was a grave error in judgment. Gonzalez firmly established himself as a shutdown presence this season. Forbes couldn't compensate for his lack of size and gradually went to the shadows under Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr.

Much like the situation with Davis, it was only a matter of time before Forbes became surplus to requirements. He was waived and scooped up quickly by the Los Angeles Rams. Another major lack of personnel nous from Rivera — a concerning trait that became synonymous with his tenure.

Jonathan Allen - Commanders DT

Jonathan Allen is an established locker room presence. Unfortunately for the veteran defensive tackle, he is no longer the force of old.

That's pretty obvious now. Allen did well to fight back from a torn pectoral suffered in Week 6 against the Baltimore Ravens. He was outstanding at the Detroit Lions to help Washington pull off the playoff's biggest upset. His production was inconsistent at best aside from that.

Allen is no longer guaranteed to be a game-wrecker every week. He's lost some of the interior explosiveness that made him a dominant force once upon a time. The former first-round pick's leadership remains a major asset, but his future is firmly under a cloud entering the offseason.

The two-time Pro Bowler is entering the final year of his deal. There is no more guaranteed money left on Allen's contract. The fact Washington was bullied in the trenches (on both sides) during their NFC Championship loss could see general manager Adam Peters ring the changes.

Trading or releasing Allen this offseason comes with $16.47 million in salary-cap savings with $6 million in dead money. There could be interest in the player if the Commanders made him available, so it's a situation worth monitoring before the 2025 NFL Draft.

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