Leo Chenal - Commanders LB
When the Washington Commanders gave linebacker Leo Chenal a three-year, $24.75 million deal with a $6.5 million signing bonus and $12.4 million guaranteed this offseason, a few eyebrows were raised. But there was also significant intrigue around his potential fit in Daronte Jones' defense.
Chenal spent the first years of his career with the Kansas City Chiefs, emerging as a dependable rotational presence while also making a considerable impact on special teams. Becoming more will be challenging, but his athleticism should help him transition seamlessly into Jones' aggressive scheme.
The 2022 third-round pick out of Wisconsin was listed behind Frankie Luvu and No. 7 pick Sonny Styles on the Week 1 depth chart, but fans shouldn't read much into that. Chenal is expected to play an important role. Jones will also deploy a lot of changing alignments to keep opposing offenses on their toes.
The Commanders' decision to acquire Chenal went largely overlooked in the national media. Those who cover the Chiefs held him in high regard, but this is a different test entirely.
At the same time, this is a real opportunity for Chenal. If he can cope well with extra responsibilities and become a sideline-to-sideline force at the defensive second level, this could become one of the offseason's shrewdest moves.
Kaytron Allen - Commanders RB
There was an enormous amount of hype around sixth-round rookie running back Kaytron Allen earlier in the offseason. He came in with big ambitions and even bigger talk, and his performances in OTAs and minicamp only raised optimism about his potential role.
That looks a little less clear now.
Allen got plenty of work in the preseason but didn't have what would be classed as a breakout game by any stretch. He isn't a burner, and his lack of elite-level speed is one reason he fell so far in the draft. But pressing the panic button would be foolish before he's played a competitive snap.
The Commanders will rely more on Jacory Croskey-Merritt and free-agent signing Rachaad White. This could be a highly productive tandem alongside Jayden Daniels in the backfield, but Allen's bruising approach and ability to absorb contact should also be useful.
At least from the outside, Allen's task in Year 1 is clear.
He'll be the short-yardage option to gain the hard yards between the tackles or punch it into the red zone. And with Jeremy McNichols beginning the campaign on injured reserve, the all-time leading rusher at Penn State should get opportunities to showcase his skills.
If he capitalizes on them, Allen's role could expand as the season goes on.
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