Quan Martin - Commanders S
The Washington Commanders' secondary has been a complete letdown this season. It doesn't help that the pass rush isn't generating consistent pressure, which has only gotten worse since Dorance Armstrong Jr. was lost for the season. At the same time, there is no doubt this hyped-up unit should be performing better.
One of the more glaring underachievers is Quan Martin. The 2023 second-round pick was a trendy breakout candidate across the media this season, but his production is falling way short of that mark. Fans are becoming increasingly frustrated by his tackling failures, and his positional sense in coverage is another area opposing offenses are exploiting with alarming frequency.
Martin had a new contract in his sights ahead of time. He came into the season as the top dog in Washington's safety room after the Commanders let Jeremy Chinn walk for the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency. Losing Will Harris early in the campaign didn't help, but he's got a long way to go before he can be considered as a lead man.
It's also worth noting that Martin was not one of Peters' draft picks. He's disposed of most from the disastrous Ron Rivera era, but the former Illinois standout managed to carve out a role. A considerable effort is needed in the coming weeks, or he might not be as lucky next time around.
Frankie Luvu - Commanders LB
The Commanders were in no position to remove Frankie Luvu from the equation before the trade deadline. He's a ferocious linebacker in his prime. But an altered role this season has seen his influence wane from the phenomenal first year in Washington, when he earned second-team All-Pro honors.
Injuries have forced the Commanders more as an edge rusher rather than an off-ball linebacker with the freedom to be instinctive. Luvu is getting lost in the chaos, and the extra attention he is receiving from opposing protection schemes is nullifying his supreme physical gifts.
Luvu's changing role has also exposed Bobby Wagner's frailties. It's just not clicking in the same manner. There is only one more year left on the Washington State product's contract after this. Although it seems highly unlikely from the outside looking in, speculation about a trade will inevitably surface during the offseason if he cannot raise his performance levels.
The Commanders have done a poor job of playing to Luvu's strengths. His play last season dictated that he should have been made the focal point for defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. to build his unit around. Instead, he's being forced into a role where his impact has diminished, which is a sign of how things have unfolded for Washington in 2025.