8 biggest surprises and disappointments for Commanders so far in 2022

Surprise: Darrick Forrest

The release of Landon Collins received pushback from fans, but Forrest seems more than capable of filling the veteran’s shoes. In Week 6 vs the Bears, Forrest saved two touchdowns with a thumping hit right at the goal line and when he laid out to break up a pass in the end zone late in the fourth quarter.

In six games, Forrest ranks second on the team in tackles and his 80.1 PFF player grade ranks third behind Curl and Montez Sweat. He’s also allowed just 152 yards in coverage and QBs have just a 84.1 passer rating when targeting him.

Forrest is a stud and is only going to continue getting better.

Disappointment: Logan Thomas

We can’t be the only ones who were hyped for Thomas’ return from knee surgery. Carson Wentz has loved throwing to tight ends in his career, but Thomas has been an afterthought in the passing game. The veteran has now missed the last two games with a calf injury and has just 13 catches for 106 yards and a TD in four games.

If you project that on a per game basis, that’s 3.2 catches for 26.5 yards. Consider the fact Wentz ranks 10th in the NFL in passing yards (1489), and you’ll get a better picture of how little Thomas has been involved as a receiver.

Surprise: Efe Obada/Casey Toohill

The Commanders defensive line hasn’t skipped a beat without Chase Young and Obada and Toohill’s work on the edge is a big reason why.

Entering Week 6, Toohill ranked second in TruMedia’s pass-rushing efficiency metrics (percentage of quarterback hit rate) at 11.6%. Even more surprising? Obada ranks fourth in the same category, trailing only the 49ers’ Nick Bosa, Toohill and the Jets’ Carl Lawson.

Further, Obada ranks third on the team in sacks and fourth in pressures behind Sweat, Jon Allen and Daron Payne, respectively. A lot of fans wanted to see Washington add more proven commodities to fill the DE void until Young was ready, but Obada and Toohill have been a roaring success in that role.