Quan Martin - Commanders S
Washington Commanders fans and the broader media were expecting a legitimate breakout campaign from safety Quan Martin this season. Letting Jeremy Chinn walk in favor of the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency made him the top dog on the backend. The flashes displayed in 2024 suggested that he was more than capable of meeting expectations.
Martin has struggled with increased responsibilities. His missed tackles have been a constant source of frustration throughout the campaign. He's been a liability in coverage support more often than not, and head coach Dan Quinn raised the stakes considerably by reducing his time on the field in Week 11 against the Miami Dolphins.
The Illinois product got back to his usual playing time versus the Denver Broncos on Sunday Night Football, and it was arguably his best performance of the campaign. There were also a few blips, so the jury is still out on his long-term status with the franchise.
Any hopes of Martin getting a contract extension ahead of time next spring are probably gone. He's got a cheap second-round deal, so he'll likely be part of the team's plans in 2026. But the last year of his rookie contract will be a referendum on his growth in no uncertain terms.
Johnny Newton - Commanders DT
The Commanders thought they secured a steal of epic proportions when Johnny Newton slipped through the net and into their laps at No. 36 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. While the interior defensive lineman was seen as a first-round talent by almost every expert, injury problems caused him to drop significantly before Washington's general manager, Adam Peters, ended his slide.
Newton's early development was hindered by foot surgeries. However, he only missed one game as a rookie, playing 51 percent of defensive snaps and showing promise as a pass-rushing force from the interior. It wasn't perfect, but most fans were expecting the former Illinois standout to become a prominent part of the starting lineup.
Unfortunately, that hasn't happened. The Commanders signed Javon Kinlaw to go alongside Daron Payne after Jonathan Allen departed. Newton was restricted to the rotation, and his production has plateaued. His run defense is poor, which is holding him back. And there is something preventing head coach Dan Quinn from getting the second-year pro more involved right now.
It's worth remembering that Newton only recently turned 23, so there is still time to turn things around. But this offseason is a make-or-break one regarding his overall fortunes in Washington.