3 Commanders players who must get more involved down the 2024 stretch

Ben Sinnott - Commanders TE

Ben Sinnott is a curious case in 2024 so far.

The Washington Commanders selected the promising tight end at No. 53 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. They saw him as a long-term part of their plans who could potentially assist immediately with a smooth transition. That's still the case, but fans were arguably expecting more in the passing game.

The Commanders allowed Sinnott to develop gradually. They signed veteran Pro Bowler Zach Ertz as their short-term piece. He's performed well overall, leaving the Kansas State product on the outside looking in where involvement is concerned.

Sinnott has three targets to his name this season, bringing in all three for 18 receiving yards and a touchdown. He's been much more effective as a blocker from 29 percent of the team's offensive snaps. Ertz's production has dipped slightly in recent weeks, so this would be a good time to put more on the rookie's plate to see how he fares.

Washington's offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury has a good opportunity to involve Sinnott more frequently before the bye week. The Commanders are coming up against the Dallas Cowboys and Tennessee Titans before their extended rest period. These are not dominant teams by any stretch, so there'd be no harm in allocating more targets in the player's direction if things are going well.

What comes after that is down to Sinnott. He's got the tools needed to be impactful and a potential complete package with some extra refinement. He just needs an opportunity to cement his status.

The Commanders saw something in Sinnott. He drew rave reviews over their pre-draft evaluations and the team remains bullish about his outlook in the coming years. At the same time, this offense needs an injection of life - a spark to get them out of their slump.

Sinnott could be that guy. But much will depend on how much faith Kingsbury and his offensive staff have in his ability to come through in clutch situations.