Treylon Burks - Commanders WR
It's been a curious start to Treylon Burks' career in the pros. The Tennessee Titans placed too much responsibility on his shoulders as A.J. Brown's replacement. Injuries didn't help his cause, and they eventually gave up on this costly experiment.
The Washington Commanders took a chance. They felt some untapped potential remained in Burks, and the flashes displayed last season indicate they might be right.
Giving him a new one-year deal was a vote of confidence. However, the wideout's conversation with David Blough about his vision for the offense tipped the scales even more.
Burks has the physical profile to be a difference-maker. It seems more like a confidence thing than anything else, and the Commanders' faith in him could be enough to bring more out of the pass-catcher. And given the doubts around others in the receiver room, there is an avenue to finally fulfill his pre-draft promise.
If he can stay healthy, Burks could flip the script.
Frankie Luvu - Commanders LB
Frankie Luvu got lost in the shuffle last season. The Commanders were forced to give the prolific linebacker more work as an edge rusher, and he wasn't comfortable. His influence waned as a result, but a return to the norm is in his immediate future.
Daronte Jones wants to get Luvu back to doing what he does best. He wants the Washington State product to be an attacking downhill player, instinctive, and making plays all over the field. This is what made him a second-team All-Pro in his second season with the franchise, and it's what makes him a prime bounce-back candidate in 2026.
The Commanders strengthened their linebacking corps with Leo Chenal and Sonny Styles. Luvu will still have a massive role to play, and his inspirational leadership is something his teammates feed off in the good times and bad.
It's a contract year for Luvu, but he doesn't need to add any more urgency to his game. I expect a dominant year from the second-level enforcer.
Quan Martin - Commanders DB
Everyone was puzzled by Quan Martin's regression last season. Fans and even sections of the national media were expecting a breakout from the talented defensive back, but it fell flat. That left him facing an uncertain future, but the Commanders are not ready to give up.
And they might be onto something.
Martin's rookie year was spent as the nickel cornerback. He had moments of struggle, but overall it was encouraging. Moving him to the back end hasn't gone as well, but there are signs that the 2023 second-round pick might be going back to what worked so well.
The Commanders were experimenting with Martin in the nickel over offseason workouts. He's got the size and athleticism to win the job, or at least be part of the rotation. It adds to the options, and the urgency attached to a contract year only makes it more intriguing.
There are high stakes attached to Martin. If the Commanders still believe, so should you.
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