Commanders' rising star could deliver game-changing results after preseason flashes

Quan Martin and Will Harris figure to be the Washington Commanders’ starting safeties in 2025. However, defenses are routinely turning to a third hybrid safety in almost every situation.

Dan Quinn, Joe Whitt, Jr., Jason Simmons, and Tommy Donatell — the coaching hierarchy tasked with developing a play-making secondary — all want to see Tyler Owens grab this role and not let go.

Owens was one of the surprises of last year’s training camp. He made the squad as an undrafted free agent, which is always a tall order. But he never saw the field as a defender. His role was limited to special teams.

This year could be different.

Tyler Owens making strong push to impact Commanders' defensive rotation in 2025

The Texas Tech product fits the physical profile of a hybrid safety to a tee. At 6-foot-2 and 213 pounds, he is substantially bigger than Jeremy Reaves and Percy Butler. He is also faster and has extraordinary burst numbers. He generates power and suddenness from his lower body. At last year’s NFL Scouting Combine, Owens ranked as the best pure athlete amongst all safeties.

The reason Owens wasn’t drafted is that he simply hasn’t played a lot of football. Extraordinary physical traits don’t always translate into on-field production. This is what Commanders’ coaches will be studying this preseason.

Owens is almost certainly going to make the roster again. The question is whether he will become a factor on defense or remain a special teamer.

With that in mind, Whitt played Owens all over the field against the New England Patriots. He started and played most of the first half, logging a couple of dozen plays. He lined up at deep safety in a single high shell on one play, then moved to a traditional linebacker spot on the next. Then, he might be playing right on the line as an edge. Often, he would flip sides on successive plays, following the tight end.

He rarely lined up in the same place twice.

For the most part, Owens acquitted himself rather well. He had one truly bad play, whiffing on a tackle in the flat against running back TreVeyon Henderson, but otherwise was in position and made plays when he could. Even on the missed tackle, Owens diagnosed the situation perfectly. He just missed the tackle.

That needs to be corrected. Owens is still a work in progress, but he made several good tackles and looked comfortable in coverage.

One thing seemed clear. Owens was better playing closer to the line of scrimmage. He wasn’t tested in deeper areas of the field, so it is hard to judge that part of his game. When he was lined up in the box, he tended to get involved in the play.

Reaves also put in a claim for more playing time. He was all over the field delivering strong hits. Right now, he is a better player. Butler may be as well, but Owens has the biggest upside, and he is making progress.

Eventually, Washington will need him back on special teams, a unit that was miserable against New England. That’s fine in the short term. Owens may not be quite ready for major responsibilities on defense. But he is close, and that is an exciting prospect for Commanders fans.

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