The Washington Commanders have been extremely busy throughout the offseason. Now, the onus is on head coach Dan Quinn and his staff to mold this new-look roster into a more competitive outfit in 2026.
General manager Adam Peters knew the Commanders couldn't stand still. They won five games just one year removed from an NFC Championship game appearance, which necessitated drastic changes. The front-office leader delivered, and the vibes are much more encouraging as a result.
If the Commanders want to make the desired progress, it must be a collective effort. Franchise cornerstones have to step up. Young players have to develop accordingly. And some better luck on the injury from wouldn't go amiss, either.
After that, everything else should fall into place. And for these eight Commanders players, they have the chance to set the tone by turning OTAs into their own personal launchpad.
Washington Commanders players who can turn OTAs into a personal launchpad
Treylon Burks - Commanders WR
The Commanders took a chance on Treylon Burks when the Tennessee Titans cut ties last season. His time with the AFC South club was always doomed to fail, but his contributions last season were enough for Washington to keep him around on a one-year deal worth up to $4 million with incentives.
This was the vote of confidence Burks needed at an important time. A conversation with new offensive coordinator David Blough persuaded him to stay, which indicates there could be a decent role for him to play if everything goes well this summer.
Staying healthy is key. Burks needs a full offseason to hone his craft and build back confidence. Looking at the options behind Terry McLaurin in the receiver room, an opportunity is undoubtedly there for the taking.
Johnny Newton - Commanders DL
Dan Quinn is expecting big things from defensive lineman Johnny Newton in 2026. The head coach singled him out as the player he expects to take off more than any other. That's a different pressure, but it's precisely why the Commanders took him at No. 36 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Newton's flashes are exceptional. Putting it all together to be more consistent is the next challenge, and unless he can be more impactful against the run, it's difficult to envisage a three-down role.
The former Illinois standout does look like a good fit as a 3-4 defensive end. Newton has explosiveness off the snap and good speed in pursuit. He'll need to refine other areas to improve his chances of being the total package, so it'll be interesting to see how things look when OTAs commence.
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