When Washington Commanders HC Dan Quinn says something about the team or name-drops players without being prompted, I listen.
He's said many times this offseason that the second year for a player in the league is when you see the biggest jump in their development. They've experienced a full season of what the NFL is like, and now you can address what you need to be better at in the offseason and continue to grow and develop.
Coach Quinn mentioned three second-year players that he has been impressed with this offseason, and we could see these players take a major leap, and potentially even see more playing time with a bigger role.
The Commanders heavily invested in both tackle positions this offseason, which also allowed a domino to fall in upgrading the interior of the offensive line as well. Brandon Coleman eventually became the starter at left tackle last season, and he honestly held his own there, but a move back inside to guard is where you can see him reach a higher ceiling.
I was able to speak with Commanders offensive lineman Brandon Coleman after today's practice.
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) July 28, 2025
We discussed his transition from tackle to guard and how much more comfortable he feels in his second year in the NFL. pic.twitter.com/j4Gjycx3iA
Coach Quinn said that Coleman is one of the second-year players he has been "really impressed with." Coleman also spoke with the media and talked about how the transition back into guard is going after playing there in college occasionally as well.
“I kind of already have a little mind tap on what my aiming points are," Coleman said. "My landmarks, what's different in terms of mindset, when it comes to the running pass game, and now it's just really about feeling it back out, like getting my body back used to it. Building kind of that muscle memory. Quicker hands, quicker feet."
The move inside should be a seamless transition, and there shouldn't be any real bumps in the road when the season starts. He'll also have two really good guys on each side of him to help out, in Laremy Tunsil and Tyler Biadasz.
If there's a player I'm excited to see in their second season, it's Javontae Jean-Baptiste. I know he didn't play a ton last year, but having this offseason to get bigger and more technical and now being able to learn from Von Miller will help him tremendously. The limited snaps he did get showed flashes of promise.
Quinn said that Jean-Baptiste got "longer and stronger" in his development, and we can see that in the preseason games coming up. Even after signing Miller and Deatrich Wise, the Commanders still have opportunities for depth pieces to produce this season. I'd love to see the young guy in the room step up and show he can be a key future piece of the team, and so far, he's making an impression on Quinn.
Jordan Magee is poised to have a bigger role this year after injuries set him back in his rookie season. Learning from Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner is about as good as it gets, too, but don't sleep on him being ready in 2025. He was a do-it-all linebacker at Temple, and he can help keep Wagner's snaps lower than they were last year, so he can come in fresh and be at his best.
I think Commanders second year linebacker Jordan Magee is going to take a leap this season.
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) July 29, 2025
He's certainly learning from the best in Bobby Wagner, Frankie Luvu and Ken Norton Jr. pic.twitter.com/ZdXWPuqCM3
Quinn said that he likes what Magee brings as a blitzer now, too, and he can't wait to see if running backs can actually pick him up or not. The best way to stay on the field is by being able to blitz, stop the run, and drop into coverage, and not be a liability at any of the three. A healthy Magee in 2025 helps the entire linebacker room and prepares him to step in as a starter when Wagner retires.
The Commanders need to hit on as many draft picks as possible, and seeing these second-year players take off this season can help keep Washington in contention for a long time.
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