Which Washington Commanders players are trending toward draft bust status unless things don’t improve during the 2023 season?
Finding productive prospects from the NFL Draft process can be challenging. No team hits on every selection, but the Washington Commanders have done better than most at the top end over the last few years looking at their full body of work.
Another element that separates the also-rans from the contenders is finding contributions from lower down the food chain. One only has to look at the Kansas City Chiefs to see how valuable Day 3 selections can be to a team’s overall strength.
The Commanders have eight picks at their disposal in 2023. Their needs appear obvious right now, but that could all change depending on what pieces they can acquire when the all-important free-agent madness commences.
Looking at the team’s current options, here are four Commanders players who are trending towards draft bust status, which can be determined by a top-100 selection not making the necessary impact.
Player No. 1
Sam Cosmi – Commanders OT
- No. 51 overall selection (2021)
When the Washington Commander drafted Sam Cosmi at No. 51 overall, he was seen as someone that could potentially become a premier edge protector with further refinement. The former Texas star has flashed moments when it looks like this could be possible, but consistency remains an issue heading into a crucial third season.
This is normally the time when linemen on both sides of the football emerge. If Cosmi cannot accomplish this, then a rotational role is probably the best he can hope for.
Carson Wentz – Commanders QB
- No. 2 overall selection (2016)
Carson Wentz might have a Pro Bowl appearance and a Super Bowl ring to his name, but this needs some context attached. The quarterback watched from the sidelines as Nick Foles led the Philadelphia Eagles to a Vince Lombardi Trophy and the No. 2 overall selection in 2016 is on a worrying career trajectory that could see him out of the league unless something drastic occurs.
Wentz has now blown two chances of making a better go of things elsewhere. His time with the Indianapolis Colts was a disaster and if his switch to the Washington Commanders represented a final opportunity, he couldn’t rise to the occasion.
One only has to examine how things improved when Wentz went out through injury as an example of this trade not panning out. For fans, they can relax safe in the knowledge he won’t be their problem for much longer.
Releasing Wentz ahead of time comes with zero financial repercussions in terms of dead cap. It also represents a saving of $26.17 million that can be better spent on improving other problem areas.
Considering Wentz was expected to be a franchise cornerstone, to get traded twice and find himself on the proverbial scrap heap after just seven seasons represents a major underachievement. One that leaves his long-term aspirations hanging in the balance as a result.
Dyami Brown – Commanders WR
- No. 82 overall selection (2021)
There was an enormous sense of intrigue when the Washington Commanders took promising wide receiver Dyami Brown at No. 82 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. The prospect came into the NFL on the back of a highly productive college career at North Carolina, but this hasn’t made a successful transition to the next level as yet.
Brown has all the physical attributes needed to be productive. Playing as a depth piece behind Curtis Samuel and Terry McLaurin hasn’t helped, with the addition of first-rounder Jahan Dotson last year further hindering his hopes of more involvement.
In total, Brown has brought in 43.6 percent of targets for 308 receiving yards and two touchdowns to date. This is a trend that might continue next year unless substantial improvements arrive during the upcoming preparation period.
While Brown’s future looks bleak, all hope is not lost. Primarily because the Commanders are planning to move forward with Sam Howell as their starting quarterback heading into OTAs.
Howell and Brown formed a prolific partnership with the Tar Heels. If this chemistry makes more of a splash with the signal-caller in a prominent starting position, he could become a sneaky threat asset.
Anything less could see Brown fighting for his future heading into the final year of his rookie deal in 2024.
Chase Young – Commanders DE
- No. 2 overall selection (2020)
Chase Young was in rare air when he entered the NFL. Few prospects come into the league with the generational tag, but it was something he was richly deserving of after a sensational stint with Ohio State.
The early signs were promising after the Washington Commanders took the defensive end at No. 2 overall. Young came on leaps and bounds over the second half of 2020, winning the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year thanks to his encouraging progress.
What’s come after that has been problematic.
To put it mildly.
Young has featured just 12 times over the last two years due to injury and gained only 1.5 sacks during that span. Washington’s coped without him thanks to their depth across the defensive line, but they’ll need him fit and firing on all cylinders to stand any chance of making a playoff return next time around.
The Commanders have a big decision to make regarding Young’s fifth-year option before then, which stands at just over $17 million. Do they take the risk with a player that’s having trouble staying healthy or wait it out and potentially pay more in the long run?
It’s a complex predicament. But if Young cannot produce the goods in 2023, then the draft bust tag won’t be too far behind.