Quan Martin - Commanders S
Everyone associated with the Washington Commanders was anticipating a legitimate breakout campaign from Quan Martin this season. The athletic safety made some encouraging strides in 2024 under the leadership of Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. This was enough for Adam Peters to make him the alpha dog by letting Jeremy Chinn walk for the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency.
Considering how high the bar was raised, Martin hasn't come close to reaching it. He's been a complete liability against the run. His coverage capabilities have regressed, and his backend support is unstable. Couple this with the number of frustrating missed tackles, and it's not hard to see how far standards have slipped.
Martin's 49.4 grade from Pro Football Focus ranks 82nd out of 91 qualifying safeties. It would be a bombshell of epic proportions if the former Illinois star were cut, but the Commanders need to rethink his role moving forward.
Ben Sinnott - Commanders TE
Ben Sinnott is almost two years into his professional journey after being selected at No. 53 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, and the Commanders have absolutely no idea what his long-term role will be. The tight end has flashed as a blocker when called upon, but he remains on the fringes compared to others in the position group.
Something is preventing the Commanders from involving Sinnott. Fans were expecting his role to increase exponentially in Year 2, but he's been on the field for just 29 percent of the team's offensive snaps. And questions are now being asked about whether someone like undrafted free agent Colson Yankoff could offer more in the coming weeks.
Sinnott missed Week 11 through injury, but it's not expected to keep him out for long. The Commanders need to give him a prolonged look after the bye week. If not, that'll tell fans everything they need to know.
Johnny Newton - Commanders DL
Most fans were expecting Johnny Newton to be a focal point in Week 11 against the Miami Dolphins. Daron Payne was suspended for the clash after punching Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, but the Commanders outlined their lack of trust in the second-year defensive tackle.
Newton barely got above his season average in snap percentage. The Commanders deployed veteran run-stuffer Eddie Goldman on early downs, and he played well. This left Newton once again occupying rotational responsibilities, which was deeply disappointing for a player who wanted more.
Much as with Ben Sinnott, the Commanders are not going to give up on Newton. They invested too much in the No. 36 overall selection in 2024, but it's clear that his integration is not going as well as some experts thought it would before he was drafted.
The Commanders are not playing for much other than pride the rest of the way. Putting more on Newton's plate for the remaining six games would be wise, and it will make or break his future in Washington.