MVPs and cautionary tales

Mini camp is over and there has been barely a ripple of controversy in Commanders world. It is hugely welcome and refreshing to see the Washington franchise being run by such a professional group post-Dan Snyder.

This off-season has seen a major turnover of personnel both on and off-field - as befits a team with only four wins on the board last time out.

In fact the overhaul already began, with the trades of both staring DEs Montez Sweat and Chase Young, before the 2023 season was even concluded

There are, however, a number of solid to solid-plus starters who have been brought in via free agency.

Washington have avoided any super high salary/profile guys in FA with new GM Adam Peters fully aligned to the draft your own studs ethos, as opposed to the quick fix route.

So, whilst a Superbowl might remain a mere pipe dream for the burgundy and gold right now, 2024 will still be intriguing as a long-suffering fanbase can enjoy a potential hotshot rookie QB in Jayden Daniels and a medium to long term forecast of finally becoming an NFL powerhouse again.

Here at UKHTTC, we welcomed back Tony Wheat of Full Press Commanders, who alongside founder, Christian Burt offered thoughts on:

The potential Washington MVP in 2024

A second guy to be excited about

What Commanders still gives vibes that say “success denied”

First up is Tony.

Washington MVP 2024

There are a few shiny new toys to consider here including of course Jayden Daniels, but I’m going to go with a holdover from the old regime, Jonathan Allen.

Last year he was frustrated, angry and generally not a happy camper, and was rumoured to want out of dodge. However, the new coaching staff, front office and organisational direction has reinvigorated the veteran defensive tackle. Allen has apparently tackled the off-season programme with huge intent and at least one beat reporter has commented that he looks in unbelievable shape.

The new defensive system and the addition of rookie Johnny Newton should mean that Allen has a more manageable workload after playing too many snaps last year, and a fresher, healthier and mentally upbeat player should result.

If that is the case, Allen can return to the pocket collapsing, run stuffing nightmare that he was a couple of seasons ago.

Washington super excited (not MVP but still damn good)

 I’ll go with one of the shiny new toys for this one, Frankie Luvu.

Early reports have confirmed that the ex-Panther has displayed the kind of speed and intensity that was advertised on arrival. If Joe Whitt can deploy Luvu in a variety of ways, moving him around the defensive formation it will allow him to display his sideline-to-sideline range and, crucially, a real ability to rush the passer.

Playing alongside future Hall of Famer, Bobby Wagner will only be a positive in terms of making sure that the Defense is in the right formation, and everyone is in the right place.

That level of organisation and communication has been sadly lacking in recent years and Luvu will benefit from being able to play fast and without any inhibitions. His arrive with violence style is perfect for Whitt’s Defense and he will be a real difference maker.

Washington super cautious

There are a few options here that could be the pick including Andrew Wylie and Jamin Davis, but I’m going to go with Emanuel Forbes.

After a relatively promising start last year, Forbes was brutally exposed by AJ Brown (although much of the blame must lie with the coaching staff for leaving him consistently on an island with the Pro Bowler). From then on Forbes regressed and his lack of physicality was also exposed in run Defense.

The new regime has no ties to drafting him and it is possible that Forbes won’t crack the starting lineup with the addition of Mike Davis, Mike Sainristil and Noah Igbinoghene to the roster.

Forbes still has a chance to justify his draft status, but he has a lot to prove and I’m not hugely optimistic.

And Christian offers his thoughts.

Washington MVP 2024

It seems more likely that the MVP will come from the Defensive side of the ball than a Commanders offense that, particularly along the OL, has some lingering concerns.

Both interior DL guys should absolutely thrive under new HC Dan Quinn and new DC Joe Whitt Jnr. With that in mind, I am going for a much-improved Daron Payne to be the number one performer in Washington in 2024.

The first rounder from 2018 is the kind of talent that, for me, has been crying out for first-class DEF coaching throughout his Commanders career.

His production dropped massively form a super-charged 11.5 sacks in 2022 to just 4 in 2023. This will not concern Quinn and co, who I am certain would have viewed Payne as one of the most exciting interior D-linemen in the NFL.

Payne will also benefit from padding up with majorly experienced guys like DEs Clelin Ferrell and Dante Fowler Jr. For a fair while I thought the “all-drafted” Washington DL, despite the talent, was an echo chamber and having veterans coming from outside the Washington building will equate to better habits and preparation.

Still only 27, expect Payne to be the league-wide bounce back player in 2024. Also agree with Tony re better depth equals a more intelligent number of snaps for Payne and Allen.

Washington super excited (not MVP but still damn good)

To say the Washington franchise had neglected the LB room for a long time would be an understatement.

The Ron Rivera approach was to draft too high (Jamin Davis) and then throw in way below JAG free agent guys such as the criminally bad Cody Barton. This was always puzzling from a Head Coach who played LB for the Chicago Bears in the 1980s!

The off-season in 2024 has seen the front office address this group with some urgency. They drafted a promising and ultra-athletic LB for the future in Jordan Magee with the No. 139 overall pick and I would not be surprised if Magee sees plenty of the field ahead of Davis.

And the likes of Magee and, as Tony mentions, the impactful Frankie Luvu, will all benefit from a locker room that contains my choice for the MVP runner-up: Mr Bobby Wagner.

Wagner was high on my list of guys to sign in FA and the one-year deal for a future first ballot Hall of Famer is a stroke of genius from Peters and co. Bobby will set the tone and provide a platform for future seasons, and I predict his on-field play will be at a level that is acceptable+++ for a guy who will be 34 going into the 2024 season.

This signing would not have happened under Dan Snyder and was perhaps the clearest indication that Washington is once again a destination for high-quality veterans.

Washington super cautious

Even with a significantly better ownership group and front office, it is only natural that not every draft pick and free agent pick-up will be a stud or even middle of the road contributor.

Whilst it would have been easy to focus on an inherited squad member, I have to confess to be less than excited about the pick-up of TE Zach Ertz.

This, for me, is a three seasons past the sell-by date pick-up and my hope and expectation is the Commanders have drafted a stud in Ben Sinnott out of Kansas State with the 53rd pick of the draft.

Less on-field Ertz equates to an excellent draft choice in Sinnott, and I am indeed expectation low on Zach in Washington.