Dorance Armstrong Jr. - Commanders DE
Dorance Armstrong Jr. is entering his eighth NFL season and his second with the Washington Commanders. But the defensive end remains relatively under the radar compared to most players at his position around the league.
Armstrong emerged as a dependable rotational piece with the Dallas Cowboys early in his career. Dan Quinn saw enough to bring him on board in Washington, making him a starter and the team's most important edge threat by a considerable margin. Aside from a few flashes, his production was nowhere near consistent enough.
There was a lot to like about Armstrong's ability to generate pressure. He was relentless, making offensive linemen extremely uncomfortable through a blend of athleticism and commitment. He only gained five sacks, so finishing off plays more effectively is the next challenge.
The former Kansas standout needs to raise his effort against the run. Armstrong can get overwhelmed and rarely sets a clean edge. That's a problem the Commanders are looking to avoid this time around, so nothing but improvements will do.
Even though Washington signed Javon Kinlaw and Von Miller, they need more from Armstrong. With some productive weapons around him, all pulling in the same direction, double-digit sacks represent a bold yet potentially attainable objective.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt - Commanders RB
Trading Brian Robinson Jr. to the San Francisco 49ers was a massive confidence boost for others looking for significant involvement in 2025. Adam Peters felt they had enough to make the former starter surplus to requirements, which represents a huge opportunity for seventh-round selection Jacory Croskey-Merritt to firmly establish himself.
There weren't many (if any) late Day 3 picks who generated more hype than Croskey-Merritt over the summer. His draft stock took a huge hit after the NCAA revoked his eligibility after just one game in 2024. This lit a fire within the player to hit the ground running (literally) when his big NFL chance came.
Croskey-Merritt blazed a trail over early workouts to get noticed. He carried this forward to training camp, proving he belonged when things got more intense. Washington used him sparingly in the preseason, which suggests the coaching staff has big plans for the rookie from the moment he steps onto the field.
Tempering expectations would be smart initially. Croskey-Merritt missed a lot of football last season, so there might be some growing pains. Washington has a committee backfield approach to depend upon, which takes the pressure off the first-year pro during a pivotal transition.
A huge opportunity awaits for Croskey-Merritt. Whether he can take advantage of it is another matter.