Commanders favorite is back bamboozling fans after dominant minicamp

The Washington Commanders are again relying on experience to reach similar or greater heights next season. However, those in power also want to see growth from their young players to ensure Adam Peters' long-term plan for sustained success goes according to plan.

That bears more significance for Peters' first draft class. The general manager got some outstanding initial returns from this group, but more is needed if Washington wants to take the next step and reach the Super Bowl. This means those brought along gradually during their rookie transitions must come to the fore.

Last year's experiences will serve them extremely well. They might not have contributed much on the field, but being part of the locker room with an elite-level mentality and winning culture set the bar. The new standard is abundantly clear, so keeping up is critical.

One fan favorite from the 2024 draft class looks well on his way to achieving this objective.

Commanders need more from Ben Sinnott, and he's rising to the challenge

The reports were glowing over Washington's offseason program around Ben Sinnott. He was one of three second-round picks for the Commanders last season, but the tight end didn't get much playing time. Kliff Kingsbury used Zach Ertz and John Bates as his preferred starting tandem, restricting the former Kansas State standout to just 27 percent of the team's offensive snaps.

That is lower than most second-round picks. However, the Commanders were playing the long game with Sinnott.

They knew there was refinement needed. Sinnott flashed promise as a blocker and even managed to bring in all five of his targets with one touchdown attached. But as Washington went on a fairy tale run to the NFC Championship, the offense relied on the two battle-hardened tight ends in front of him.

Ertz and Bates both got new deals this offseason and deservedly so. But in an ideal world, Sinnott's time on the field will increase significantly. And for the second straight offseason, he's making a strong claim.

Fans should take this development with cautious optimism. Sinnott excelled last summer, too, but it didn't amount to much in a competitive setting. It's a wait-and-see scenario, even if his movements look more fluid and his route-running appears much sharper.

Colson Yankoff is also catching the eye in Year 2 with the squad. Much will depend on how the undrafted free agent and Sinnott cope when the tempo gets ramped up at training camp, but all signs point to the Commanders keeping four tight ends once again.

Making the roster is guaranteed for Sinnott. But he cannot let another dominant minicamp become fool's good in pursuit of a key role in 2025.

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