The Washington Commanders made their number one priority this offseason crystal clear: protect quarterback Jayden Daniels.
That became obvious when they traded for five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil, and even more so when they used their first-round draft pick on offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. Just like that, both edge positions were taken care of. Or so those in power hope.
Unfortunately, Conerly has seemed to hit a few snags in his adjustment to the pro level, leaving his path to start in Week 1 in sudden danger.
ESPN insider claims Josh Conerly Jr. must show "improved strength" to solidify Commanders role
Dan Graziano from ESPN was an observer at Washington's training camp. The big story of the summer has been Terry McLaurin's contract saga, but it can't overshadow the progress being made by the players who have been on the field in Ashburn.
Graziano's report on Washington was positive. He had plenty of good things to say about Daniels, new wide receiver addition Deebo Samuel Sr., and seventh-round running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt. Conerly, however, has drawn some concern.
According to Graziano, the Commanders believe Conerly must show "improved strength" in his development, and there's a real chance that Andrew Wylie could start at right tackle to begin the season. This is a sentiment that has been echoed by various local beat reporters, with the consensus being that the No. 29 overall pick is exceptionally raw.
This will undoubtedly be disheartening for Washington fans to hear. For those fearing the worst-case scenario, flashbacks are likely to be triggered to another recent first-round pick in Emmanuel Forbes Jr., who possessed similar red flags, albeit at a much different position.
However, it's not time to press the panic button just yet.
It's not uncommon for a rookie to struggle in his first training camp. There's a significant adjustment to transition from competing against college kids to grown men. For a player as young as the 21-year-old Conerly, it's understandable for that to be challenging.
For many first-year pros, there's a certain mental switch that gets flipped at some point in the process. After that, they figure it out and never look back.
Conerly needs to just flip that switch, or he might need to address some deeper issues with his profile, such as adding more muscle. Whatever the case, it's a harsh reminder for Washington that not every rookie can be expected to provide immediate answers.