If the Washington Commanders want to bounce back this season, it must be a collective effort. Projections around the team are sketchy, with some anticipating a return to the postseason while others proclaim them among the league's bottom-feeders once again.
As always, the truth lies somewhere in the middle until proven otherwise.
The Commanders have a lot of talent. They also have some potential weak links that could hold them back. Couple this with the added competitiveness in the NFC East and across the conference, and it's not hard to see where the complications could emerge.
At the same time, the Commanders have a younger roster that should be hungry to right the wrong of last season. Washington has to navigate a rough start, but head coach Dan Quinn seems confident enough in his squad, and general manager Adam Peters agrees.
For that to happen, these eight Commanders must explode their stock beyond recognition during the 2026 campaign.
Washington Commanders players whose stock could explode beyond recognition in 2026
Jacory Croskey-Merritt - Commanders RB
The Commanders got much more than they bargained for with running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt last season. He surged from a seventh-round selection into a highly productive backfield force, and even though doing the same will be difficult in Year 2 of his professional career, he promises to play a key role once again under new offensive coordinator David Blough.
Croskey-Merritt worked hard to bulk up this offseason. This will hopefully make him stronger in the passing game and a better pass blocker, but the dynamism he brings to the table is his biggest strength.
Washington will likely move forward with a committee approach in the backfield. Croskey-Merritt and free-agent signing Rachaad White are the 1-2 punch, and Blough promises to run a much more balanced scheme. That makes the No. 245 pick last year a strong candidate for even more progress in 2026.
Mike Sainristil - Commanders CB
The Commanders are counting on cornerback Mike Sainristil more than they probably would like heading into the campaign. Trey Amos has landed on injured reserve with an ankle problem, adding to his frustrations over the last year. Others have to step up, which only raises the stakes for the Michigan product in Year 3 of his professional career.
Sainristil has been something of an enigma over his first two seasons. He is an opportunistic player who creates turnovers. The 2024 second-round pick also gives up too many big plays, but there is hope the presence of Daronte Jones can help him become more balanced.
The signs have been positive over the summer. Sainristil's inside-out versatility is something the new defensive coordinator can put to good use. And if he continues to respond well to Jones' teachings, the Commanders' secondary will be in much better shape.
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