Commanders draft day gamble is already emerging as a franchise cornerstone

Although he's navigating a nagging injury problem right now, there's been a lot to like about the way Trey Amos has gone about his business this season. It's early days, but the Washington Commanders could have a massive draft steal on their hands if the same trend continues.

Just as everyone within the building expected.

There are probably a few teams around the league kicking themselves for passing on Amos. The former Ole Miss standout was projected to be a first-round pick by most analysts. Adam Peters considered taking him with the No. 29 overall selection, before offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. was there for the taking. When the physical cornerback was somehow still available at No. 61, the general manager didn't hesitate.

Commanders are getting some exceptional early returns from Trey Amos

Amos immediately set about silencing his doubters. His draft slump was due to a back issue that popped up during his medical assessments. It had nothing to do with his talent.

He showcased this almost immediately. Amos won a starting job on the boundary opposite Marshon Lattimore. His limited preseason involvement suggested the Commanders had big plans for the first-year pro. That has proven to be the case, and he has delivered emphatically.

The player is demonstrating flawless capabilities in coverage. Amos is giving up just 45.5 percent of targets and a 58.1 passer rating when targeted. His 70.0 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus reflects this, which is precisely what the Commanders were hoping for.

There are some frailties against the run that need refinement, but these can be easily worked out with more experience. Overall, it has been immensely encouraging for Amos, whose performances appear capable of propelling him into the franchise cornerstone category sooner rather than later.

Amos is currently dealing with a calf issue suffered in Week 3 against the Las Vegas Raiders. The severity should become clearer in the coming days, but the Commanders can ill afford to have their prized rookie defender miss time. He's already an integral part of the team's strategy, and veteran corner Jonathan Jones is also on injured reserve with a hamstring complication.

Regardless of whether Amos is forced to the sidelines or not, the Commanders have something special on their hands. He's made a seamless adjustment from college to the pros, which cannot be said for most rookie cornerbacks throughout NFL history. Building on this and adding some extra polish are the following challenges, but his outlook looks incredibly bright.

The Commanders believed in Amos when nobody else did. He's repaying this faith quickly.