Dyami Brown and 6 Commanders who will (probably) be gone in 2025 at the bye week
By Dean Jones
Michael Davis - Commanders CB
Concerns about the cornerback position were rife among the fanbase before the season. The Washington Commanders acquired some fresh faces in free agency and the draft. Whether they could become more productive under the expert guidance of Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. was another matter.
There's been some good and some bad. Mike Sainristil looks like a long-term piece after adjusting impressively to the pros. Noah Igbinoghene is starting to look more like the player who took college football by storm at Auburn. Aside from that, it's been underwhelming.
Emmanuel Forbes Jr. was waived and picked up by the Los Angeles Rams. Benjamin St-Juste's future is under a cloud. Trading for Marshon Lattimore was a necessary measure to give the Commanders a fighting chance of meeting raised expectations.
Michael Davis' contribution has been minimal. He was projected to potentially occupy a starting role this season, but something caused the coaching staff to pause during the summer. The veteran free-agent signing featured in just 89 defensive snaps through 13 games as a result.
This is extremely disappointing from Davis' perspective. Something that will probably mean he'll be deemed surplus to requirements when his contract expires next spring.
Olamide Zaccheaus - Commanders WR
As previously mentioned, the Commanders need more productive weapons for rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels in the passing game. The options available around Terry McLaurin are servicable but nothing more right now. That has to change if Washington wants to take the next step.
Making the most of Daniels' rookie contract is critical. McLaurin is the focal point and will remain so next season. Noah Brown could get extended based on his on-field flashes. Luke McCaffrey is another potential long-term contributor despite not getting many targets as a rookie.
As for the rest? It wouldn't be a surprise to see the Commanders go with different options. Olamide Zaccheaus is among those facing an uncertain future. Nothing but improved production will do to boost his chances of another deal once Washington returns from its bye week.
It's been a rapid decline since Zaccheaus brought in all six of his receptions for 85 receiving yards at the Arizona Cardinals. He's dropped 7.9 percent of his targets according to Pro Football Reference, which is a big reason why the pass-catcher remains on the fringes.
Zaccheaus needs to step it up as a receiver and a kick returner down the stretch. But it seems for all the smart money as if he'll be moved on unless something drastic occurs beforehand.