The Washington Commanders are currently enjoying summer vacation before they return to Ashburn in the final week of July for training camp. In other words, we’ve entered the doldrums of the offseason, so content is no longer at a premium.
The next several weeks will largely comprise of potential free-agent interest, training camp invites and Terry McLaurin’s contract, which finally seems to be on the right path, according to a report from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
Luckily, organized team activities and mandatory minicamp was enough to fill our content appetites. With multiple weeks of practices in the books, we thought we’d highlight the biggest winners from the Commanders’ offseason.
Full disclosure: Carson Wentz did NOT make the list. While the newly-minted quarterback impressed during spring practices, he’s 29 years old and entering his seventh season. These should be a breeze for him at this point. Yes, he’s learning to play with new teammates, but the real test will come at training camp.
3 biggest winners from Commanders OTAs and minicamp
3. Antonio Gandy-Golden
We considered a plethora of players for the No. 3 spot, including Jeremy Reaves, Marken Michel, and rookie tight end Cole Turner. Michel almost got the nod, but we gave it to Gandy-Golden due to the fact that he’s changed positions.
A fourth-round pick by Washington in 2020, Gandy-Golden managed one reception for three yards over his first two seasons before the club approached him about converting to a tight end on a permanent basis this offseason.
The early returns are encouraging for Gandy-Golden, whose minicamp highlights included an impressive touchdown grab over Kam Curl, a one-handed catch on a pass from Taylor Heinicke and showing promise as a run-blocker.
The Commanders waived Gandy-Golden during roster cuts last offseason before re-signing him to the practice squad. The 24-year-old was elevated for four games and played 20 snaps on offense before he was cut again in January.
The fact Gandy-Golden has seemingly already re-shaped his image makes him a huge winner from OTAs and minicamp. He’ll still have to earn a spot on the 53-man roster, but this position switch might’ve saved his NFL career.
2. Benjamin St-Juste
Jahan Dotson has been all the rage this offseason, but St-Juste has been the one defender who’s been able to contain him. There’s a case to be made the second-year corner was the team’s most impressive defensive performer during spring practices.
After playing predominantly on the outside as a rookie, St-Juste has transitioned to playing the nickel position. At 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, the 2021 third-rounder will have a size advantage against slot receivers, most of whom fall under the short and shifty description, and he has the required lateral quickness to not get beat for pace.
"“He’s been able to move inside and we’re just looking to get our best people on the field, give them all a chance to compete,” Jack Del Rio said of St-Juste. “I think when you look at the work, the body of work that he’s had this off season has been very productive for us and very productive for him.”"
Ron Rivera has also raved about the confidence St-Juste is playing with, so the Minnesota product seems fully recovered — both physically and mentally — from his rookie year that was derailed by a series of stints in concussion protocol.
The entire complexion of the Commanders’ secondary changes if St-Juste fulfills his potential. He can be a nightmare matchup as a nickel corner and will hopefully use OTAs and minicamp as a springboard into training camp.
1. Jahan Dotson
What more can we say about Jahan Dotson that hasn’t been said already? The rookie receiver starred during OTAs and minicamp and was far and away Washington’s best performer on the offensive side of the ball.
Yes, Dotson will have to prove himself on Sunday’s once the season starts, but it’s highly encouraging all of the tools that drew Washington to him during the pre-draft process have been on full display. Between his route-running, soft hands, and ability to make catches in traffic, Dotson looks like a readymade pro.
We’ve all seen the videos of his catches at practice. You’d think he had glue or duct tape strapped to his gloves. It just comes easy for him. How easy? Well, Dotson’s reliability has caught the eye of Carson Wentz, who told the media the No. 16 overall pick “catches the football as natural as anyone I’ve been around.”
Wentz has admittedly yet to practice with McLaurin, but this is an eye-opening compliment for Dotson regardless, as he’s done everything possible to make fans forget about Kyle Hamilton, Chris Olave and Jameson Williams.