At this point in the season, it’s pretty clear who the Washington Commanders’ most consistent performers are. Between Jon Allen, Terry McLaurin, Daron Payne, Kam Curl, Charles Leno, Curtis Samuel and Antonio Gibson, the Commanders have about six or seven players every week who deliver their best on Sundays.
You could even throw Montez Sweat in there even though his sack numbers leave a lot to be desired. Four sacks in 10 games isn’t what you’d expect from a player with Sweat’s skillset, but he’s notched 39 pressures and 16 hits while playing exceptionally against the run (86.2 run defense grade, per PFF).
While those players are putting together solid seasons, a good handful of Commanders have been underwhelming for most of 2022. Now that we’re 10 games in, let’s delve into the team’s most disappointing players up until this point.
3 most disappointing Commanders during the 2022 season
3. Andrew Norwell
There was a time during the offseason when Commanders fans talked themselves into the Norwell signing. Most of the praise stemmed from his cost-effective contract, history with Ron Rivera, and that LG isn’t a premier position. Surely Norwell could replicate Ereck Flowers’ production for half the price, right?
Norwell has gotten back on track (only two pressures allowed the last two weeks), but fans won’t soon forget his dreadful start to the season.
Typically, 31 isn’t considered “old” for an offensive linemen, but Norwell has looked older than his age. The former All-Pro has been outmatched on one too many reps this season — how many times has he been pancaked by opposing pass rushers? — and there’s still seven games to go.
Would it shock anyone if Washington cuts bait with Norwell in the offseason and are back in the LG market? No way. However, releasing him would come with a greater dead cap charge ($2.8 million) than cap savings ($2.32 million).
If the Commanders had better options, Norwell undoubtedly would’ve joined fellow offseason signing Trai Turner on the bench. In 10 games, Norwell owns a 55.6 player grade from PFF. In 2021, Flowers posted a 72.0 player grade.
2. Kendall Fuller
Fuller put together nice games against the Vikings and Eagles, but he’s arguably been the defense’s most disappointing player in 2022. In his second season, St-Juste has seemingly already leapfrogged Fuller on the depth chart after he was tasked with shadowing superstar receiver Justin Jefferson last week.
Simply put, Fuller’s lack of athleticism has been exposed this season. While he’s improved in recent weeks, the Titans, Packers, Bears and Sam Ehlinger-led Colts aren’t exactly high-octane passing offenses. Despite Fuller’s (steady) improvements, he’s still allowing a 115.7 passer rating when targeted, per PFF.
Further, Fuller’s allowing a whopping 15.9 yards per reception and has allowed as many touchdowns (3) as penalties committed (3). After recording 25 passes defended and five interceptions over his first two seasons in Washington, Fuller has just six passes defended and zero INTs through 10 games.
When you think of Washington’s top performers in the secondary this season, Fuller is probably the fourth player that comes to mind; behind Kam Curl, Darrick Forrest, and St-Juste. If not for William Jackson III’s struggles and eventual trade, Fuller’s shortcomings would be getting a lot more attention.
At least he’s finally starting to come around.
1. Logan Thomas
Commanders fans thought they had their tight end of the future after the 2020 season. That year, Thomas caught 72 passes for 670 yards (9.3 yards per catch), six touchdowns and 36 first downs. Only Travis Kelce and Darren Waller logged more receptions, and Thomas’ six touchdowns tied for seventh at the position.
Thomas hasn’t come close to replicating that production since.
A hamstring strain and a torn ACL limited the veteran to just six games last season, and he hasn’t looked the same following knee surgery. He’s missed three games with a calf injury and has just 15 catches for 118 yards and one touchdown in the seven games (six starts) he’s played.
Thomas actually stormed out of the gates in 2022, compiling six catches for 82 yards and a touchdown over the first two games. Since then, though, the former college quarterback’s managed nine catches for 73 yards. That stretch includes failing to draw a target on 34 snaps vs Indianapolis in Week 8, and failing to catch any of his three targets on 46 snaps vs Minnesota in Week 9.
The Commanders can cut Thomas in the offseason and save $5.25 million against the cap, while incurring just $3.5 million in dead money. Barring an unforeseen turnaround over the remaining seven games, it’s tough to envision Thomas returning to the burgundy and gold for a fourth season.