Brandon Coleman - Commanders OT
Brandon Coleman has struggled this season. The Washington Commanders gave him a chance to win the starting left guard job again this summer, and reports suggested he was well on his way to achieving this objective at the expense of Chris Paul.
Then, everything changed.
Five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil suffered a torn triceps at training camp, which placed him on injured reserve. Coleman's responsibilities immediately changed as the Commanders shifted him to the blindside.
Coleman manned the edge as a rookie and did relatively well in difficult circumstances. Hopes were high that he could hold his own again, but it hasn't been the greatest start over Washington's opening six games.
The TCU product has conceded four sacks and 22 pressures so far. Coleman is showing frailties on an island in pass protection, but his run blocking has been a nice bright spot at times.
Anything was going to be a downgrade on Tunsil. Coleman is trying his best, but it might be time for the Commanders to shift course slightly.
This could involve Coleman being benched. Or, as previously mentioned, it could involve kicking inside, where his physical attributes seem much better suited.
The problem? Washington doesn't have anyone to fill the blindside void.
Andrew Wylie might be even worse, so the Commanders will probably have to ride it out and hope for the best.
John Bates - Commanders TE
The Commanders are running a lot of 13 personnel under offensive coordinator David Blough. But aside from free-agent signing Chig Okonkwo, they have no real threat at the position in the passing game.
This is a problem. And even though his blocking has flashed promise once again, it might be time for John Bates to take a back seat.
Okonkwo is the top dog. He's come on strong over the last two games, which is encouraging. But the other tight ends haven't met expectations, and that includes Bates.
Nobody was expecting Bates to be the second coming of Jordan Reed as a pass-catcher. That's not his strength, but even his blocking has regressed overall.
This is supposed to be his specialty, so it's a situation worth monitoring, with Ben Sinnott capable of occupying the same role with more athleticism.
The Commanders rely on their veterans, perhaps too much. Bates falls into that category, and though he goes under the radar compared to other underachievers, reducing his snaps from the 43 percent he's accumulated so far might be an option.
Bates serves a purpose, but the Commanders have others who may be more capable. To know for sure, Sinnott and maybe even Colson Yankoff need more looks.
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