Yardbarker
Yardbarker
x
7 hidden weapons the Commanders must unleash to dominate 2025
Ben Sinnott Cooper Neill/GettyImages

If the Washington Commanders want to reach similar heights or perhaps even go one better than their 2024 campaign efforts, it must be a collective effort.

There is no room for passengers. Everyone has to play their part. From the franchise cornerstone pieces to those on the fringes, anything less than exceeding expectations has detrimental consequences attached. That is the price of success, something the Commanders achieved a significant amount of during a season that nobody associated with the club will ever forget.

Adam Peters worked hard to ensure that head coach Dan Quinn had everything needed on the playing personnel side of things. He was ultra-aggressive, making bold trades and signing free agents with vast playoff experience. That's only going to help the options already around, but Washington's chances will enhance considerably if some unheralded players surprisingly come to the fore.

Easier said than done, of course. However, it's not impossible by any stretch of the imagination if the right improvements are made over the summer.

With this in mind, here are seven hidden weapons the Commanders must unleash to dominate in 2025.

Hidden weapons the Commanders must unleash to dominate 2025

Ben Sinnott - Commanders TE

There was some intrigue about what Ben Sinnott might be able to offer in Year 1 of his professional career. The Washington Commanders saw enough in the tight end to take him in the second round, but he was largely on the fringes where the offensive rotation was concerned in 2024.

That was out of his control, to a certain extent. Zach Ertz galvanized his career after choosing to reunite with Kliff Kingsbury in Washington. John Bates' exceptional blocking came in for constant praise. This left Sinnott firmly entrenched as the No. 3 option, but he did flash promise when caleld upon.

Ertz and Bates both signed new deals this offseason. However, the Commanders will be expecting Sinnott to make a bigger contribution with another summer to hone his craft.

Sinnott is a well-rounded athlete. He can block, catch, and isn't afraid to do the dirty work in pursuit of helping the team. The former Kansas State star also caught the eye on special teams when needed.

Even so, the Commanders didn't draft Sinnott on Day 2 for the player to become a special-teams ace. They want him to gradually emerge as a valuable outlet in the passing game. If he can achieve this in Year 2, he'll be a surprise most teams won't see coming.

Luke McCaffrey - Commanders WR

Much like the situation with Ben Sinnott, wide receiver Luke McCaffrey didn't get many targets in 2024. The rookie played a decent amount of snaps, which should serve him well, but the Washington Commanders were reluctant to put too much on his plate in Year 1.

McCaffrey remains something of an unknown quantity as a result. He shone as a kick returner, but remains a work in progress on the wideout front. There was a lot to like about his ability to create separation, so it's a case of building more trust with quarterback Jayden Daniels and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.

The Commanders didn't sit on their hands this offseason. They traded for Deebo Samuel Sr., drafted Jaylin Lane, coaxed Michael Gallup out of retirement, and re-signed Noah Brown. McCaffery must hit the ground running this offseason. If he does, don't be surprised if he emerges as the team's slot specialist in 2025.

Jordan Magee - Commanders LB

Jordan Magee took the Commanders by storm over early workouts last summer. The rookie linebacker was physical, fast, and explosive. This was exactly what the coaching staff had in mind, but a devastating injury dented his progress significantly.

Magee suffered a knee complication that required surgery. He managed to return during the season but wasn't much of a factor on the defensive rotation. Although no doubt disappointing, all hope is not lost with the former Temple star by any stretch.

The Commanders have Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu as their starting linebacker duo. They are looking for one of their young guns to surge forward into a key rotational role. Magee has the athletic attributes to achieve this objective, but Washington also drafted Kain Medrano to keep the urgency high.

How Magee performs over the summer and the preseason will ultimately determine his 2025 outlook. If he impresses enough, the second-level force will be rewarded accordingly.

Tyler Owens - Commanders S

Tyler Owens was the story of Washington's training camp last year. Very little was expected of the undrafted free agent despite his impressive combination of size and speed. He put together a sensational few weeks to cement his place on the 53-man roster.

The dynamic safety wasn't utilized much aside from special teams. Owens got hurt at a bad time, which didn't help his chances. There were flashes of genuine quality on special teams, but nothing to overly convince anybody that he's got a long-term future with the franchise.

That's the big objective facing Owens this time around. Catching the eye and being a big surprise right out of the gate is one thing. Making sure these standards are sustained en route to more involvement is something else entirely.

The Commanders didn't do much to bolster their safety corps throughout the offseason. There's still time for that to change, but it could also be a sign that those in power believe Owens can improve enough to become a dangerous asset in 2025.

Johnny Newton - Commanders DL

The Washington Commanders thought Johnny Newton was too good to turn down at No. 36 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. They didn't have a particularly dire need for another defensive tackle, but general manager Adam Peters always takes the best prospects available and worries about the rest later.

Newton's preparations were hindered by foot surgeries. Although it prevented him from getting up to speed quickly, the Commanders wasted no time in throwing him into the fire. There were some growing pains, especially against the run, but the flashes suggest he can become an important part of Washington's long-term strategy.

The former Illinois game-wrecker has Daron Payne alongside him on the interior once again. Washington also signed Javon Kinlaw to replace the released Jonathan Allen. That could reduce the second-year pro to pass-rushing responsibilities as a 3-technique, but this could be the best way for him to thrive next season.

Jaylin Lane - Commanders WR

While there is optimism that running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt can establish himself quicker than anticipated, it's also worth remembering that he's a seventh-round pick. Tempering expectations would be wise, but that's not the case with Jaylin Lane.

The Virginia Tech graduate has to wait until No. 128 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft to hear his name called. Lane has a big chip on his shoulder, and there's a growing sense that the Commanders might have a steal on their hands with a smooth transition this summer.

Lane looks like a tremendous scheme fit within Kliff Kingsbury's offensive concepts. He got enough speed to stretch the field if needed. He's a dynamic threat with the football in his hands and elusive in tight windows. This will make him a significant threat in the return game if it takes him a little longer to impact the offensive rotation.

If Lane capitalizes on every chance he gets leading into Week 1, the Commanders would be wise to throw him in at the deep end to see how he fares.

Quan Martin - Commanders S

Considering Quan Martin has been a starter across the secondary for most of his first two seasons in the league, his contribution remains under the radar. That might not be the case for much longer.

The Commanders opted to let Jeremy Chinn walk for the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency. Adam Peters signed Will Harris to fill the void. Whether he can raise his performance levels enough remains to be seen, but it unquestionably makes Martin the alpha dog in the safety room in Year 3 of his professional career.

Martin is ready for the responsibility. He's gradually improved, is evolving as a leader, and communicates extremely well from the backend. The Commanders trust him — they wouldn't have let Chinn go otherwise. Any raised performance levels from the Illinois product could see a genuine breakout campaign emerge.

After that, it won't just be Washington fans familiar with his talent. It'll be the entire league.

More Commanders news and analysis


This article first appeared on Riggo's Rag and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

TODAY'S BEST

Raiders releasing former big-ticket addition after just one season
NFL

Raiders releasing former big-ticket addition after just one season

Before the 2024 NFL season the Las Vegas Raiders signed defensive lineman Christian Wilkins to a four-year, $110M contract in free agency to make him a key part of their defensive line. On Thursday, just one year later, the Raiders are releasing him. It is also a situation that is likely to get messy in the coming weeks due to a grievance that Wilkins has filed with the NFLPA. At the center of his release — and grievance — is Wilkins' rehab from a foot injury that cut short his 2024 season after just five games. The Raiders wanted Wilkins to correct the issue with surgery. Wilkins opted not to have the surgery, and as the rehab continued to drag on, there was uncertainty of when he would be able to get back on the field. As recently as Tuesday Raiders head coach Pete Carroll said there was no definitive timeline on when that would be. Just 48 hours later, Wilkins was released, with the Raiders attempting to void the remaining $35.2M in guarantees that he was owed on his contract. Wilkins spent the first five year of his career with the Miami Dolphins, and turned a career-year performance in 2023 into a big-ticket free agency contract with the Raiders. The hope was that he could form a dominant 1-2 punch with Maxx Crosby, and for the five games he played he showed the ability to do that. He was just never healthy enough to continue the rest of the season. Now Las Vegas is going to be left asking what could have been, while Wilkins tries to get the money he believes he is owed. Wilkins will turn 30 in December, and if anyone is confident in his ability to come back from the injury, he could still land on a new team and potentially play a big role.

Biggest impact of Josh Naylor trade may still be to come
MLB

Biggest impact of Josh Naylor trade may still be to come

While the Seattle Mariners landed an impact bat on Thursday night, their trade for Josh Naylor has also likely impacted the entire upcoming MLB trade deadline. On Thursday, Seattle sent a pair of top pitching prospects to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for Naylor, with left-hander Brandyn Garcia (ranked as Seattle's 13th-best prospect by MLB.com) and right-hander Ashton Izzi (ranked as Seattle's 16th-best prospect by the same rankings) heading to the desert. Knowing what the Diamondbacks received in exchange for Naylor could well set the market for what is to come between now and the conclusion of the 2025 MLB trade deadline, set for 6 p.m. (Eastern) on July 31. The 28-year-old first baseman was ranked by The Athletic as the 17th-best trade candidate likely to be available, but ranked behind just one other first baseman (Baltimore's Ryan O'Hearn, who was slotted in at 16th). If Naylor brought in a pair of pitching prospects, including Garcia, who has appeared in two games this season for Seattle, the Diamondbacks could be salivating over what third baseman Eugenio Suarez and his 36 home runs could bring in return. All MLB teams who will be buying or selling at this year's trade deadline have had the first price bar set for them with the Naylor deal. Now it will be fascinating to see what comes next, especially knowing that Naylor will be a free agent at the end of this season. If Seattle gave up two pitching prospects for a player who could be a late-season rental only, imagine what the Minnesota Twins may be able to recoup for starting pitcher Joe Ryan (under team control through the 2027 season) or the Boston Red Sox might get back for outfielder Jarren Duran, who won't be a free agent until the 2029 campaign. While Naylor may not be the biggest move to come during this span before the trade deadline comes to a close, his deal could be the one that establishes selling prices for the trades that are to come. With so few MLB teams expected to be outright sellers, the price for available talent was expected to be high. We learned on Thursday night with the Naylor swap just how high those prices may go.

Chris Pronger to Connor McDavid: A Lost Edmonton Oilers Decade
NHL

Chris Pronger to Connor McDavid: A Lost Edmonton Oilers Decade

In the spring of 2006, Chris Pronger was traded to the Edmonton Oilers. He then did something no one thought possible: he made the Edmonton Oilers a Stanley Cup contender again. That playoff run was legendary. Pronger logged enormous minutes, quarterbacked the power play, killed penalties, and led the team in scoring. In every zone and every moment, he was the difference-maker. He was the kind of player who gave an entire franchise a sense of direction—and belief. And then, just weeks after that Game 7 heartbreak in Carolina, he was gone. The Impact of the Oilers Losing a True No. 1 Blueliner Pronger’s trade request stunned the city and changed everything. Instead of building around a generational defenseman in his prime, the Oilers entered a prolonged decline. The team wouldn’t return to the playoffs for another decade. But what if he had stayed? It’s not just about Pronger’s elite play. It’s about the ripple effect of having that kind of presence anchoring a lineup. With Pronger in the fold, free agents might have been more willing to come. The team wouldn’t have scrambled to fill the void on the blue line with a carousel of short-term fixes. Young players could have developed under a true leader instead of inheriting pressure without support. The Oilers Championship Window Closed Too Soon The Oilers were close in 2006. It was not a fluke, but it was a team suddenly galvanized by elite goaltending from Dwayne Roloson, role players like Mike Peca, top-six grit like Ryan Smyth and Fernando Pisani, and above all, Pronger’s towering presence. Run it back even one more year, and who knows? A healthy Roloson, a stabilized core, and the confidence of a team that knew how close they came. Perhaps 2007 would be the season that ended differently for the Oilers. Instead, the Oilers lost their best player and wandered through the wilderness for ten years. How bad did the Oilers become? The 2006–07 season was a major disappointment in Edmonton, capped by the emotional deadline trade of fan favorite Smyth to the New York Islanders. That collapse marked the beginning of a long drought, as the team went on to miss the playoffs for 10 straight seasons until finally returning in 2016–17. Hockey Is Filled with What Ifs, the Oilers Are No Exception Hockey is full of what-ifs. But this one lingers. Because Pronger did come to Edmonton, and he did show what was possible. And for one electric spring, it looked like the Oilers had found the player who could lead them back to greatness. We just never got to find out how far that road might have gone. Fortunately, the team’s return to the playoffs in 2016–17 was spearheaded by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. And that’s where the team is today. It’s a new era of success, but it took ten years to get there.

Yankees Ask About Pirates Star, as Pirates Scout Yankees Prospect
MLB

Yankees Ask About Pirates Star, as Pirates Scout Yankees Prospect

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette insider Noah Hiles has learned that the New York Yankees have asked the Pittsburgh Pirates about Oneil Cruz. In what may or may not have been a related matter, Pirates scouts were in Toronto on Tuesday night to observe Yankees starter Cam Schlittler, according to MLB Marathon. Yankees Ask About Pirates Star, as Pirates Scout Yankees Prospect Hiles further reports that Pirates general manager Ben Cherington isn’t inclined to move Cruz. However, as the saying goes, everybody has a price. The Pirates would love to emerge from the deadline with one or more controllable, major league-ready hitters. Cruz could be moved if Cherington is overwhelmed by the return. Yankees Asked Pirates About Oneil Cruz We’d previously reported that the Yankees have asked the Pirates about five players. Make that six. At six-foot-seven, 240 pounds, the left-handed batting Cruz, 26, has natural talent that would make any scout’s mouth water. After Wednesday’s game, Cruz is batting .219/.319/.419, 16 HR, and 40 RBI, with a major league-leading 33 stolen bases. Blessed with speed, power, and a strong arm, he regularly registers high Statcast marks for velocity, whether off the bat or from his arm. His 57.9 percent hard-hit rate far surpasses the major league average. He got a chance to show off his power to the nation as a participant in this year’s Home Run Derby. He didn’t win, but he had some of the most impressive shots. Cruz can also be frustrating at times. Despite substantially reducing his chase rate to 26.9 percent, he carries a 31.9 percent strikeout rate. He’s had mental lapses in the field and instances where his effort has been called into question. Cruz began his career as a shortstop. After committing 24 errors there in 2024, he was moved to center field late in the season. He’s learning the position on the fly. So far, he’s been charged with -4 Fielding Runs Above Average, -7 Defensive Runs Saved, and a major league-leading seven outfield errors. Where Cruz Fits with the Yankees (If At All) Where Cruz fits with the Yankees is a puzzling question. There doesn’t seem to be room in their outfield. He’s certainly not replacing Aaron Judge. Nor does he seem to be a significant upgrade over their other outfielders or designated hitter Ben Rice. Rice, Trent Grisham, and Cody Bellinger are left-handed batters. Jasson Dominguez is a switch-hitter. Thus, Cruz doesn’t seem to be even a platoon option. Where the Yankees can use an upgrade is on the left side of their infield. That’s why they’ve inquired about Ke’Bryan Hayes and Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Third baseman Oswald Peraza is hitting a weak .147/.208/.237, 3 HR, and 13 RBI. Shortstop Anthony Volpe was once highly touted for his potential. However, playing regularly for three seasons now, he has a lifetime slash line of .224/.288/.379. His 13 home runs for 2025 are nothing to sneeze at, but in addition to his otherwise woeful batting performance, he also leads major league shortstops with 13 errors and has been a frequent target of fan vitriol. In light of the above, one wonders whether the Yankees would move Cruz back to his original shortstop position. That would be a gamble because Cruz last played the position, and not well, in August 2024. Cruz and the Yankees might be a gamble regardless of how he’s deployed. The rough fans and media in New York won’t respond kindly to his propensity for striking out and occasional brain cramps. Pittsburgh crowds can be tough, too, but nothing like what Cruz would likely encounter in the Bronx. The Yankees should strongly consider the potential impact on Cruz. Pirates Looked at Cam Schlittler Schlittler is a six-foot-six, 225-pound right-handed starting pitcher whom the Yankees called up earlier this month. His major league career consists of two starts. In 10 1/3 innings, he’s given up five earned runs on 11 hits, two of which were home runs, and five walks while striking out 10. Last Sunday, we reported on speculation that Schlittler and outfielder Spencer Jones could be the return in a deal for Hayes and David Bednar. At that time, Jones was rated the Yankees’ No. 2 prospect and Schlittler was ranked No. 6. Since then, MLB Pipeline has revised its prospect lists. Schlittler had been propelled to No. 3, and Jones dropped to No. 4. Some Pirates observers might find it odd that the Pirates, pitching-rich at the major and minor league levels, would scout another pitcher. However, a deal involving Mitch Keller or Andrew Heaney would leave a hole in the rotation. No. 1 prospect Bubba Chandler was projected to arrive in Pittsburgh this summer, but he’s struggled of late. The asking price for Cruz might be a hitter and a pitcher from the Yankees prospect list. Schlittler, 24, features a fastball that’s touched 98 mph and on which scouts have hung a 60 rating. The fastball’s movement makes it difficult to lift in the air. He also offers two effective breaking pitches with his slider and curveball. Scouts are less enthusiastic about his changeup. In 2023, he was the pitcher of the year in both the High-A and South Atlantic League and the Yankees organization. Before he got the call, this year he had a 2.82 ERA and 1.213 WHIP across two minor league levels. The Last Word One thing’s for sure: Yankees GM Brian Cashman won’t spend this trade deadline sitting on his hands. As I write this, the Yankees are 56-46, four games out of first place in the American League East Division and would be the top Wild Card entry if the season ended today. On the other hand, Cherington will be busy unloading expiring contracts. He’ll listen on controllable pieces like Cruz, Hayes, and Keller, but with this Pirates season so far gone, he doesn’t necessarily have to move them if he doesn’t like the deal. Time will tell whether there’s a match between the two clubs.