Daronte Jones may have rewritten the script for colossal Commanders draft flop

With defensive coordinator Daronte Jones looking to shake things up schematically, Washington Commanders fans are expecting significant personnel changes. After how things have unfolded for this unit in recent years, this approach is drastically needed.

Everyone is on edge. It's an uncertain time, but Jones' vision is clear. He wants the Commanders' defense to be fundamentally sound, aggressive, and creative. Those not pulling their weight as preparations for the 2026 campaign gather pace will be found out pretty quickly.

Before then, there is a lot to get through.

Jones has set out his stall. Whether it's a 3-4 or 4-3 base system, he'll need versatility in the second and third levels of his defense. The Commanders don't have the options available to achieve this effectively right now. However, the play-caller's recent comments could provide an unlikely lifeline for one free-falling draft pick when all hope was fading rapidly.

Daronte Jones believes Quan Martin has the versatility to help Commanders' defense

The new coordinator singled out a few players during his introductory press conference. There were some obvious veterans he's going to be counted on heavily. Not many fans thought Jones would include Quan Martin as someone he believes has the physical traits and adaptability to be impactful within his system.

Martin was projected for a breakout campaign in 2025. The Commanders let Kamren Curl walk to move him back into the safety position in 2024. They did the same with Jeremy Chinn to make him the top dog on the back end of Washington's defense last year. The gamble backfired spectacularly, and his lack of involvement down the stretch left many wondering if this would be his final season with the franchise.

Nothing is set in stone. But if Jones' comments are any indication, the 2023 second-round pick is going to get the chance to prove himself all over again.

It's a clean slate for everybody. If Martin does get a reprieve into the final year of his rookie deal, he must seize it with both hands.

This shouldn't stop the Commanders from seeking upgrades across their secondary. Washington's defense was among the league's worst last season. They weren't even remotely competitive, and it held the team back considerably. Injuries didn't help their cause, but a complete revamp with dynamic, explosive players is the only way head coach Dan Quinn's leap of faith in Jones will pay off.

This was exactly what Martin wanted to hear. But it counts for nothing if he cannot capitalize on it by being more consistent, embracing the new philosophies, and ridding himself of the glaring mental and technical errors that saw his 2025 campaign fall by the wayside.

Nothing else will do.