Javon Kinlaw - Commanders DL
Nothing much went right for Javon Kinlaw last season. The Washington Commanders were largely ridiculed for giving the defensive lineman a three-year, $45 million contract with $30 million guaranteed in free agency, and he did nothing much to silence his doubters.
Kinlaw flashed some promise against the run, but his inability to generate pressure from the interior became an ongoing frustration. The South Carolina product failed to register a sack, and his brash talk before games was rarely backed up when it counted.
The 2020 first-round pick is getting another chance under Daronte Jones. He is expected to switch the Commanders' defense into a 3-4 base front, with Kinlaw operating as a defensive end. Improvements are needed, but he's got the power, size, and length to excel if he can somehow become more consistent.
While Kinlaw couldn't be accused of lacking confidence, fans want to see more substance attached this time around. Nothing else will suffice.
Nick Allegretti - Commanders OL
The Commanders took a big risk by releasing Tyler Biadasz, who has made an imposing start to life with the Los Angeles Chargers. Nick Allegretti is projected to fill the starting center role this season, and giving him a contract extension ahead of time represents a supreme vote of confidence in his chances.
Allegretti is experienced, but his production since joining the Commanders two years ago wouldn't be classed as consistent by any stretch. Perhaps the new blocking concepts being installed by offensive coordinator David Blough will help, but it remains a precarious situation.
Washington is making Allegretti earn it, too.
They have him as the starter right now, but head coach Dan Quinn confirmed he is in competition with sixth-round rookie Matt Gulbin and Julian Good-Jones this summer. That should keep urgency high, and the Commanders could also look outside the franchise if they aren't entirely convinced with how things are unfolding.
This is the opportunity Allegretti has been waiting for. He cannot waste it.
Will Harris - Commanders S
As previously mentioned, there should be a different look to the Commanders' secondary under Daronte Jones. There will be more emphasis on aggression and versatility, which should bring out the best in everybody. And after his first season in Washington fell flat, much more will be expected of Will Harris this time around.
Harris was hand-picked as the man to replace Jeremy Chinn. He struggled to gain any early momentum, and an unfortunate injury put him on the shelf from Week 3 until Week 13. By the time he got back, the Commanders' race was already run.
Like most of the underperforming safeties, Harris is getting another go-around this season. Jones believes he's got the coaching skills and the system to bring everyone to life, and the veteran's ability to impact the game in all phases could be extremely useful alongside free-agent signing Nick Cross.
This is also a contract year for Harris, so the stakes couldn't be any higher.
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