The Washington Commanders are finally starting to get some recognition around the NFL. It only took a 6-1 stretch and a road upset of the previously undefeated Eagles on Monday Night Football, but beggars can’t be choosers, right?
In a just world, the Commanders would have at least a handful of players make the 2023 Pro Bowl.
That’s not an impossible feat after the Colts led all teams with seven selections last season, while the Chiefs and Chargers both finished with six selections and a whopping five teams — including the Buccaneers, Cowboys, Ravens, 49ers and Browns — each had five players named to the Pro Bowl roster.
The Commanders don’t boast one of the league’s best records, but they have several players worthy of consideration for the 2023 roster.
These 5 Commanders deserve to make the 2023 Pro Bowl
5. Kam Curl, S
Is there a more underrated defensive player in the NFL than Curl? The third-year safety is up against some stars at the position, including the Cardinals’ Budda Baker and the Bears’ Eddie Jackson, but the injury to the latter could create a gateway for Curl to sneak in as an injury replacement.
Entering Week 13, Curl owned the third-best player grade (84.8), among safeties, according to Pro Football Focus, and the fourth-best coverage grade (81.7) and the fourth-best run-defense grade (82.6) at the position.
Further, Curl leads Washington in tackles, has five tackles for loss and 25 run stops all the while filling multiple roles on Jack Del Rio’s defense. Per PFF, Curl’s logged 299 snaps in the box, 147 at free safety, and 98 in the slot.
Curl faces long odds to make the Pro Bowl, but Commanders fans know he’s the league’s greatest-kept secret at safety.
4. Terry McLaurin
McLaurin is unfortunately at the mercy of playing a position that is loaded with superstars. Despite that, the fan favorite receiver placed seventh in the NFL and third among NFC wideouts after the first panel of voting.
Vikings star Justin Jefferson is a lock, but there’s a real opening for McLaurin to get over the hump following the injury to the Rams’ Cooper Kupp.
The way we see it McLaurin’s foremost competition are the Eagles’ A.J. Brown and the Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb. Assuming each conference carries four receivers, McLaurin is well on his way to making his first Pro Bowl given he’s eighth in the entire NFL in receiving yards and yards per catch.
Stats are the ultimate deciding factor, but McLaurin’s single-handedly won two games for the Commanders this season. If that isn’t considered, the NFL should scrap the voting system and start over.
3. Tress Way, P
Way is second among all NFL punters in voting, which suggests he has an excellent chance of making his second career Pro Bowl. His spot is fully deserved, and fans would be the first to attest to that, as the veteran is tied for second in punts inside the 20-yard line, fourth in net yards and second in downed punts.
Way doesn’t rank among the NFL’s best in yards per punt, but his 47.3 average is a remarkable feat given how often his number was called early in the season. The field position battle is an unheralded factor in today’s NFL, but Washington always has an edge in that regard thanks to the lifetime Commander.
2. Daron Payne, DT
Not only is Payne up against some world-beating interior defenders like Aaron Donald, Dexter Lawrence, Derrick Brown, and Javon Hargrave, but he also has to compete with teammate Jonathan Allen. The odds of Payne making the Pro Bowl are slim, but his performance is undoubtedly deserving of a nod.
Playing in a contract year, Payne has already set personal bests in sacks (8.5) tackles for loss (15) — by six with four games left to play — and passes defended (5). The former first-round pick needs just two quarterback hits to set a new career-high in that category, and he has a combined 71 run stops and pressures, per PFF.
Simply put, Payne is playing like one of the NFL’s best defensive linemen — not just interior defenders — and would make his first career Pro Bowl in a meritocracy. After the first wave of fan voting, Payne ranked fifth (Allen fourth) among NFC defensive tackles. That has him on the outside looking in.
1. Jonathan Allen, DT
The heart and soul of Washington’s defense, Allen should without question make his second consecutive Pro Bowl.
Through 13 games, Allen has already notched career-highs in tackles for loss, passes defended, forced fumbles and interceptions. With 3.0 more sacks, he’d have a new personal best in that department, too.
After logging 30 quarterback hits in 2021, Allen would need to go on an all-time rampage over the final four games to surpass that mark, but 16 quarterback hits in 13 games is nothing to sneeze at for an interior defender.
Entering the bye week, Allen is tied for the league lead in combined tackles for loss and run stuffs, and he ranks fifth at the position with a 87.2 pass-rush grade from Pro Football Focus. Not surprising when you consider he’s amassed 47 pressures and 30 hurries after Sunday’s tie against the Giants, per PFF.
The Commanders have a handful of Pro Bowl-worthy players, but none are more deserving than Allen. Fan voting might mean he doesn’t get in, but he’s the best defensive player on one of the league’s best defenses. It’s that simple.