Commanders' rookie winning over All-Pro as hype reaches new level

The Washington Commanders only had five picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. This came after Adam Peters gave away a handful of selections in trade deals for cornerback Marshon Lattimore, left tackle Laremy Tunsil, and wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr.

At least one of their new additions, second-round cornerback Trey Amos, already looks like he's going to pay dividends. The former Ole Miss standout joins a crowded defensive backfield that includes Lattimore and second-year rising star Mike Sainristil, and Washington has been raving about him all summer.

Among those chiming in with praise ahead of the new season is former Washington cornerback Shawn Springs, who spent five of his 13 NFL seasons in D.C. He racked up 12 interceptions with the team between 2004 and 2008.

Shawn Springs praises Commanders' rookie Trey Amos for maturity and poise

Springs appeared on The Team 980 earlier this week, where he had some strong words about a rookie who, in his eyes, does not play anything like a first-year pro. The 2004 second-team All-Pro emphasized Amos's readiness to compete at the NFL level, something that can't often be said of cornerbacks fresh out of college.

When I see Trey, it's just like, 'Oh my goodness, I'm looking at this kid and he looks like he's been in the league for 10 years.' He's patient at the line of scrimmage... he's under control, he could run with (Washington's WRs), he's just excellent, man. There's very few corners I've seen in the game that just looked like they've been there.Shawn Springs

Amos played only sparingly throughout the preseason, and didn't see the field at all during Washington's contest against the Cincinnati Bengals, the only game in which most of the starters saw significant run. But he has turned heads throughout offseason camps and held his own during his limited reps against the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens.

The rookie will have everything he needs to succeed in Washington. Amos has an established veteran like Lattimore to lean on, while Sainristil makes his life easier in the slot. Provided his rapid development translates to the regular season, this trio, along with trustworthy backup Jonathan Jones, could give the Commanders one of the NFL's best defensive backfields in 2025.

It's never a certainty until the games that matter roll around. But so far, returns have been promising on the second-round pick.

The Commanders might have gotten away with an absolute steal.

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