Deebo Samuel Sr. - Commanders WR
Deebo Samuel Sr. started the season impressively. The wide receiver looked well on course to silence his doubters and make himself a lot of money along the way. That might still be the case, but a considerable effort is needed over the Washington Commanders' final seven games.
Samuel's production has regressed. He's still running with purpose and making opportunities count, but they are diminishing as Washington's offense struggles to find the consistency needed without superstar quarterback Jayden Daniels.
With Terry McLaurin still working his way back from injury, Samuel will once again be the lead man in Week 11 against the Miami Dolphins. Kliff Kingsbury has to find better ways to scheme him open. Getting the football in his hands quickly, allowing him to be creative and aggressive, is the best way to get some easy wins in the passing game.
Anything less, and the Commanders will have a massive problem on their hands.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt - Commanders RB
After a meteoric rise to prominence far quicker than anyone expected, seventh-round rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt has come crashing back down to earth in recent weeks. Perhaps gaining starting responsibilities was too much at this early stage of his career, so how he performs moving forward — and in what sort of role — will be telling.
Croskey-Merritt wasn't the starter last weekend, although he led the team in carries after Chris Rodriguez Jr. hurt his shoulder. That could be the route Kliff Kingsbury takes with the first-year running back moving forward, which wouldn't be a bad thing by any stretch.
The Commanders have struggled to get anything going on the ground. They've been playing from behind a lot. At the same time, everything might have happened a little too fast for the No. 245 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Fans will find out for sure against the Dolphins, who are giving up 139.7 rushing yards per game.
Mike Sainristil - Commanders CB
The Commanders' cornerback room was already struggling, but another injury crippled them. One week after Marshon Lattimore was ruled out for the season with a torn ACL, second-round rookie Trey Amos also went to the shelf thanks to a fractured fibula suffered against the Detroit Lions.
To say this unit is threadbare would be an understatement. Losing Lattimore is bad enough, but not having Amos to depend upon doesn't exactly bode well for Washington's chances of restricting the Dolphins' high-octane offense.
This immediately puts Mike Sainristil in the alpha-dog role. The 2024 second-round pick has struggled to reach the heights attained as a rookie. He's gaining more interceptions, but his feast-or-famine approach is doing more harm than good.
Sainristil needs to get it together, and quickly. He's now the Commanders' No. 1 corner for their remaining seven games. And his first mission will be finding ways to keep Miami wide receiver Jaylen Waddle quiet.