Jordan Magee - Commanders LB
The Washington Commanders got more than they bargained for with Jordan Magee over early workouts last year. His seamless transition from college to the pros came with widespread praise attached. This led fans to believe that a bigger role than projected was in the offing for the fifth-round selection out of Temple.
Unfortunately, a knee injury that required surgery ended this optimism as quickly as it arrived. Magee was missing for the first half of 2024. He was brought along gradually after that, featuring primarily on special teams rather than being thrust into the defensive rotation.
Although disappointing from the player's perspective, it wasn't an indictment of his long-term outlook by any stretch of the imagination. The Commanders still believe in Magee, and he's only enhanced his potential breakout hopes with an imposing start to preparations for the 2025 campaign.
Magee is drawing rave reviews again. The second-level presence is fast, physical, and explosive at the contact point. This makes him a perfect fit for Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr.'s scheme, and the defensive coordinator has already signaled his intent to get him more involved when competitive action commences.
Whitt believes learning from Bobby Wagner is helping Magee take the next step. Expect to see him feature prominently in three-linebacker sets in 2025, barring any unforeseen misfortune emerging this summer.
Colson Yankoff - Commanders TE
The Commanders' tight end dynamic hasn't changed this offseason. Adam Peters and Dan Quinn opted to stand pat with the options already available, which was the right call after this unit became a surprising area of strength during the previous campaign.
Zach Ertz and John Bates both got another deserved commitment from the franchise. The Commanders remain high on former second-round pick Ben Sinnott entering his NFL sophomore year. There's also the rapid emergence of Colson Yankoff to factor into the equation.
Yankoff joined the Commanders as an undrafted free agent last spring and immediately caught the eye to make the 53-man roster. He didn't get much playing time, but the experience of being around the squad has served him well based on his performance levels over Washington's offseason program.
The former UCLA standout looks more comfortable, according to those who were in attendance. Yankoff is evolving as a route runner, and his assured hands could be a useful asset to call upon. Firmly establishing himself is a challenge, but he's given himself a fighting chance if nothing else.
Although Yankoff remains behind Ertz, Bates, and Sinnott in the tight-end pecking order, he's doing enough to make the squad again. Sticking around was always the primary objective.