4 pleasant surprises from Week 2 of Commanders training camp

Khaleke Hudson

Is it crazy to think Hudson could assume a big role on Washington’s defense this season? If his performance during training camp is any indication, don’t be surprised if it happens because the 2020 fifth-round pick looks like he belongs.

With the Commanders short on linebackers, Hudson has gotten extensive looks with the first-team defense. Largely restricted to a special teams role over his first two seasons (82% of the ST snaps both years), Hudson has reportedly been stealing reps from Jamin Davis, who’s admittedly shown real growth thus far.

Hudson is a sneaky candidate for the Buffalo nickel position if Jack Del Rio deploys it again in 2022. At 6-foot and 220 pounds, Hudson has the requisite size and speed to fill the position and he played a hybrid role in college at Michigan.

Hudson is definitely someone to watch from here on out.

Josh Drayden

Wait, who? Drayden is largely an unknown amongst fans. The Commanders signed him as an undrafted free agent out of Cal and it speaks volumes that he’s lasted this long; some other UDFAs, like fellow CB Nijuel Hill, haven’t been so lucky.

Washington’s cornerback room is thin behind Kendall Fuller, William Jackson III and Benjamin St-Juste, so there’s seemingly room for a camp standout to make the roster. With Christian Holmes, Channing Stribling, DeJuan Neal and Drayden all vying for a roster spot, Drayden has looked awfully good in Week 2 of camp.

Here’s what Peter Hailey of NBC Sports Washington said of Drayden in his takeaways from Tuesday’s practice.

"Lastly, little-known corner Josh Drayden is doing what he can to remove the “little” from that label. The Cal product is popping more than Danny Johnson, who’s been with Washington since 2018. A year ago, Torry McTyer emerged in the secondary to sneak onto the roster. Perhaps Drayden will follow on a similar path."

Here’s hoping Drayden keeps performing at a high level.