Lucas Patrick - Commanders OL
Dan Quinn confirmed that Lucas Patrick has won the starting center job until further notice. This reflects poorly on general manager Adam Peters' offseason confidence in Nick Allegretti, who got a free run at the role but once again failed miserably when it counted.
The Washington Commanders moved quickly, signing Patrick after Allegretti looked like a deer in the headlights in Washington's regular-season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. While it's not ideal, the veteran has looked much more assured.
Patrick is a steady hand. He has some flaws, and staying healthy has been a complication in recent years, but the Commanders just have to roll with what they have. Hopefully, he can keep this good run up, especially with quarterback Jayden Daniels returning to the lineup.
It's a fluid situation, but Quinn publicly outlining his confidence in Patrick will do a tremendous amount for his chances of cementing the role.
Quan Martin - Commanders S
Washington will be without three safeties in Week 5. Tyler Owens and Percy Butler's absence hurts the special-teams unit, and Nick Cross didn't do enough to earn a spot as he continues recovering from an internal issue sustained in Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys.
Even veteran Jeremy Reaves, who will suit up at Northwest Stadium, nearly lost a finger against the Indianapolis Colts, so there is just no telling how much he will be able to contribute as he plays through the pain barrier. That leaves Quan Martin, who has to pick things up for the Commanders to stand any chance ot getting their campaign back on track.
Martin has been on a downward spiral over the last two years. His projected breakout didn't go well last season, and the Commanders phased him out. He got another shot this time around, but the same trend is continuing.
The Commanders have no choice but to keep him in the mix. But Martin has to come through amid this defensive back injury crisis.
Chig Okonkwo - Commanders TE
The Commanders haven't gotten much production from their tight end unit over the first month of the campaign. Fans expected more, especially given the money invested in free-agent signing Chig Okonkwo.
Okonkwo missed two games with a hamstring issue, which could explain his lack of production. However, the Maryland product is under pressure to become a focal point, and with wide receiver Stefon Diggs out of the lineup in Week 5, the Commanders need him to be a security blanket across the middle and in the red zone for quarterback Jayden Daniels.
He's got the talent. Okonkwo can be a dynamic playmaker when fit and firing on all cylinders, and even though this hasn't been the start anyone envisioned, he's confident he can turn things around. That has to happen quickly, and the Commanders will need him more than ever with their pass-catching options depleted.
Expect Okonkwo to deliver the goods. Nothing else will suffice.
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