Commanders' rookie already changing everything through four games

Winning the starting right tackle job before the campaign was just the first step for Josh Conerly Jr. The Washington Commanders' start to the season had some stern tests attached, and the first-round pick was going to be firmly in the firing line.

As expected, Conerly went through a baptism of fire. The No. 29 overall selection came up against the vaunted New York Giants defensive front to start the campaign. He had some decent moments, but edge rusher Brian Burns (the NFL's current sack leader) gave him a torrid time overall.

Next up for Conerly was Micah Parsons and Rashan Gary in Washington's primetime showdown against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football. This one went even worse, with the edge protector getting almost no help and floundering accordingly.

Then, everything changed.

Josh Conerly Jr. showed the Commanders he is made of the right stuff

Fans were fearful when Conerly was going into Week 3 versus the Las Vegas Raiders without in-line blocking tight end John Bates to depend upon. Maxx Crosby is a four-time Pro Bowl defensive end who no doubt smelled blood in the water. Everyone was on the edge of their seats at Northwest Stadium to see how the Oregon product would fare.

They needn't have worried. Conerly came of age. He didn't give up a sack or even a pressure against Crosby. It was a breakout moment for the first-year pro, and he built on this with another outstanding showing in defeat last time out in Atlanta.

Things might not be going quite according to plan for the Commanders through four weeks. However, after an immensely rocky start, Conerly's body of work through the opening quarter of the campaign is encouraging.

He's not the finished article just yet. Conerly's run blocking needs work, and the player must continue to add play strength. He's conceded four sacks and 13 pressures to date. Still, most fans would have taken that upon further examination of the dynamic opposition in the tackle's way during his welcome to the NFL.

This is a solid foundation from which to build. Conerly is only going to get better, and he can take heart from his last two performances. With Laremy Tunsil being as advertised on the blindside, Washington's tackle tandem is way, way down the team's list of problems right now.

Adam Peters thought he had struck gold when Conerly slipped through the cracks and into Washington's lap. He overcame some exceptional early challenges and came out on the other end smiling. That speaks not only to his talent but also to his supreme resolve in the face of adversity.

Conerly is going to be just fine...