Three players to watch in Commanders' first preseason game

The Washington Commanders are about to play their first preseason game under new head coach Dan Quinn. Here are three players to watch when the team meets the Jets at MetLife Stadium on Saturday.

QB Jayden Daniels

As the second overall pick in this year’s draft, Daniels arrived in Washington with high expectations, something Quinn addressed before a recent practice.

"I had high expectations for him coming in, but I would say he's definitely surpassed even my expectations of the readiness, the command.” Quinn said. “I knew he was going to be cool, knowing the system, he's just got that way about him. But yet, you do see the other players gravitate toward [him]. They recognize how hard he's worked at it."

While the team’s passing attack was “far more fits and starts than oohs and aahs” to start camp, the rookie quarterback made several splash plays, according to The Athletic’s Ben Standig. 

Overall, Daniels has been showing the touch and accuracy that helped him win the Heisman Trophy and should have the starting job locked up when the team opens the regular season in Tampa Bay on Sept. 8. 

OT Brandon Coleman

Of course, Daniels won’t succeed if he’s not protected. His predecessor, Sam Howell, was sacked a league-high 65 times in 2023. The team selected TCU’s Brandon Coleman in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft to compete with veteran swing tackle Cornelius Lucas at left tackle, and so far, they like what they see.

"He's really had a good camp," Quinn told reporters. "I've seen a couple things that happened, we're referring to some injuries earlier. When Wylie went down in practice, we moved Brandon over to right tackle for 20-25 snaps that day. ‘No problem.’ And he's just got a good demeanor.”

Coleman took just two snaps at right tackle in college, which speaks to his versatility. He’ll start at left tackle against the Jets this weekend, but he’ll need to play well to keep Lucas off the field.

WR Dyami Brown

Can the 24-year-old receiver become the deep ball threat the team hoped for when they drafted him in 2021? Brown has just 476 yards and three scores in three years with the team, but by all accounts, he’s looked very comfortable in new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s system.

According to the team, the former third-round pick spent the offseason running routes while catching at least 500 balls per day, but his work on extended plays caught his coach’s eye. 

"Seeing his acceleration and ability to run in those spots was good," Quinn said. "Through the spring and even here through training camp, some of the deep ball work has been good. He's got the ability to get on top of somebody."

Brown will be a free agent in 2025. He isn’t a lock to make the roster, but if he continues to show chemistry with Daniels, he should have a leg up on wide receivers like Jamison Crowder and Olimide Zaccheaus.