Dorance Armstrong and 4 Commanders failing to meet expectations at the bye week

Ben Sinnott - Commanders TE

This might be a little harsh on Ben Sinnott. However, most fans were expecting a little more from the rookie tight end in Year 1 of his professional career.

Sinnott was a highly-touted college prospect coming out of Kansas State. The Washington Commanders wasted no time in taking the player at No. 53 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, believing he could become a complete package with a little extra refinement.

The Commanders have taken their time with Sinnott. He's featured in just 29 percent of offensive snaps this season and boasts four targets in the passing game, all of which he's secured for 21 receiving yards and a touchdown. This is thanks in no small part to Zach Ertz's career renaissance and John Bates' typically consistent blocking from the edge.

There are flashes of promise from Sinnott. His ball security looks assured and he's a willing blocker at second level for good measure. He remains something of an unknown quantity, but it would be surprising if the Commanders didn't make him more of a focal point in 2025.

Benjamin St-Juste - Commanders CB

Benjamin St-Juste came into the campaign as the Commanders' No. 1 cornerback option. That was a concern for fans considering his inconsistent performance levels since joining the franchise. There have been moments of quality, but it's been largely underwhelming once again.

St-Juste struggles to cover the opposition's most prolific receiving threats. He gives up too many big plays and his technical flaws are prone to penalties on any given down. Washington's decision to make a bold trade for stud cornerback Marshon Lattimore before the deadline was a damning indictment of how his performance levels were being perceived.

To make matters worse for St-Juste, rookie second-rounder Mike Sainristil is eating into his playing time after making a smooth transition from the slot to the boundary. With Lattimore set to return from his hamstring injury after the bye, it'll be interesting to see how this dynamic shakes out down the stretch.

The Minnesota product played well against the Tennessee Titans in Week 13. However, his situation remains precarious.

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