Jeremy Reaves - Commanders S
The Washington Commanders gave veteran safety Jeremy Reaves another one-year extension before the campaign. He's under contract through 2026, and his role appears firmly established.
The popular figure is a solid presence on the backend who has done well with additional responsibilities on the defensive rotation this season. Reaves is also an exceptional special-teams player, earning All-Pro honors earlier in his career. That is likely to continue in 2026.
Reducing Reaves' involvement wouldn't be an indictment of his performance levels. He's a maximum-effort guy and an outstanding locker-room leader. Even so, the Commanders need to learn a little more about others in the safety room before embarking on a critical recruitment period next spring.
Tyler Owens remains on the fringes, which is surprising. The former Texas Tech standout has never lived up to his supreme athletic intangibles in a competitive setting. Throwing him into the fire over Washington's final three games of 2025 will tell the staff all they need to know.
Whether it comes at the expense of Reaves, Quan Martin, or Will Harris is moot. It must happen if the Commanders want to see what they truly have in the second-year pro at this stage of his development.
Javon Kinlaw - Commanders DL
The Commanders took a massive risk by handing Javon Kinlaw a three-year, $45 million contract with $30 million guaranteed this offseason. Most fans and experts thought this represented a massive overpay, but general manager Adam Peters felt this was a risk worth taking to replace Jonathan Allen.
Kinlaw's production has been sketchy. There are flashes of pure dominance, but it is nowhere near consistent enough. That's been the story of his professional career so far, which is why the Commanders should consider putting less on his plate to give Johnny Newton more live fire reps against some top-level offensive lines upcoming.
Newton's not progressed quickly enough. Fans are beginning to wonder whether the Commanders made the right call by selecting him No. 36 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. However, last weekend's performance against the New York Giants was arguably the best of his time in the league so far.
There is no point in keeping the former Illinois game-wrecker as a bit-part player down the stretch. Kinlaw's role wouldn't evaporate entirely, but it would likely decrease if the Commanders believe Newton can still be a significant part of the team's long-term plans.
This also applies to Daron Payne, who could be cut or traded this offseason if the Commanders don't offer him a new deal.