Dante Fowler Jr.'s production
The Washington Commanders needed to bolster their pass-rush to minimize complications in Year 1 of this extensive rebuilding project. Some signings haven't met expectations as yet. One addition is far exceeding what was anticipated before the campaign.
Most thought Dante Fowler Jr. would be a short-term rotational presence for the Commanders. Dan Quinn trusts him fully after coaching the edge rusher at two previous stops. It was a slow burn initially, but it didn't take long for the former first-round pick to blaze his trail.
Fowler's ability to generate pressure consistently quickly became a major asset for Joe Whitt Jr.'s defense. Quinn is depending on him and Frankie Luvu to cause havoc from the defensive second level. It's been a recipe for success so far, with the pair having 16.5 sacks between them through 13 games.
Washington's defense has gradually progressed as the season's gone on. Fowler's surprising contribution is a big reason why - something that could come with another contract extension next spring if he maintains these outstanding performance levels.
Zach Ertz's renaissance
The Commanders felt Zach Ertz had something left to give. Those in power snapped him up quickly this offseason once his brief stint with the Detroit Lions came to an end. Having Kliff Kingsbury on board left reasons for optimism after the pair formed a close working relationship with the Arizona Cardinals.
Ertz was one of the league's best pass-catching tight ends at the peak of his powers. There were concerns he'd fallen off the performance cliff after being released by the Cardinals and failing to find a new home quickly.
Fans adopted a wait-and-see approach with Ertz. The Commanders hedged their bets by spending a second-round selection on Ben Sinnott in the event he couldn't galvanize his career. As it turned out, there was nothing to worry about.
The three-time Pro Bowler has lost some explosiveness, there's no doubt about that. However, Ertz remains a dependable weapon in the short to intermediate areas. He's a threat in the red zone and has the complete trust of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Ertz has 52 receptions for 501 receiving yards and four touchdowns at the bye. There is life in the old dog yet.