Commanders' rookie turns heads with raw talent and brutal errors in debut

There was an enormous sense of intrigue to see the Washington Commanders' rookie class in action for the first time. There weren't many more fascinating players to monitor than Kain Medrano.

The Commanders bypassed some intriguing edge rushers to take Medrano at No. 205 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. Those in power believe the player's exceptional athleticism can be molded into a productive performer over time. Dan Quinn and his coaching staff are taking things slowly with the linebacker, but the fact that he got some work with the first-string defense over camp represented a positive step in the right direction.

Medrano got the chance to showcase his progress during Washington's preseason opener against the New England Patriots. The sixth-rounder had some nice moments, but several errors cannot be ignored.

Kain Medrano's preseason debut for Commanders was a proverbial rollercoaster

Upon further examination of the game film, Medrano was as advertised. His explosiveness got him to the contact point quickly when opportunities arose en route to three tackles. His change of direction agility looked good, and the quickness he displayed in college was evident on occasion.

However, the flaws were glaring.

Medrano's anticipation needs to take a major leap forward before defensive rotational responsibilities come his way. The angles against the run that blighted him with the Bruins were evident in the pros. He was a little too hesitant before reacting. The rookie might have gotten away with this previously, but it won't be the case at the sport's pinnacle.

Nobody should have expected anything less from Medrano during his first taste of legitimate NFL game-day action. He was always going to be a work in progress, and this confirmed it. The outing wasn't a complete disaster, but it did represent a strong indicator of what more the first-year pro has ahead of him.

The Commanders have Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu leading the charge at the defensive second level. They hope Jordan Magee can shake off his injury issues and become the LB3. Nick Bellore is the special-teams ace, and Duke Riley was signed to fill the void left by 2024 fifth-rounder Dominique Hampton, who was released after his subpar outing at Gillette Stadium.

There is no chance Medrano is made surplus to requirements. Even so, all signs point to the Commanders using the player primarily on special teams during his rookie campaign while developing other areas of his game.

Washington drafted Medrano with the long term in mind. He's a high-character talent with a strong work ethic. He's also extremely coachable, which is something linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr. knows well after working with him in college.

Any fans expecting him to become a factor immediately should temper expectations. Still, everything seems to be proceeding as planned, and there is no need to panic just yet.

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