The Washington Commanders set the tone by overwhelming the Miami Dolphins during a highly impressive joint practice. There are a couple of concerning areas, but head coach Dan Quinn must have been thrilled with the intensity and physicality his squad displayed.
Things were especially encouraging on the defensive side of the football. Daronte Jones' unit laid down a marker against NFL opposition other than their own teammates, flying around the field and making things extremely uncomfortable to overwhelm Miami's offense.
And for one forgotten draft pick, it was a stark reminder of what he can bring to the table.
Javontae Jean-Baptiste enhanced Commanders roster chances with outstanding joint practice
It's been out of sight, out of mind for edge rusher Javontae Jean-Baptiste over the last year. The 2024 seventh-round pick comfortably made the team again. However, he suffered a cruel blow with a torn pectoral muscle in Week 4 against the Atlanta Falcons that placed him on season-ending injured reserve.
Jean-Baptiste is now healthy. And after a relatively quiet summer, the pass-rusher came alive in no uncertain terms in joint practice.
The Notre Dame product was able to generate pressure almost at will. Fans and media in attendance both commented on how often he was flashing. Jean-Baptiste remains in a fight to make the squad, but this was a sign of how much he wants it and how much he could potentially help.
Staying relevant was the primary objective for Jean-Baptiste this offseason. He certainly looks lean, more defined, and ready to take the next step. Whether he can do enough to shake things up in a revamped pass-rushing room is another matter.
The Commanders made some hefty investments on the edge this offseason. Odafe Oweh and K'Lavon Chaisson both signed in free agency, and they have been nothing short of sensational so far. Dorance Armstrong Jr. is back on the practice field after his breakout campaign was cut short by a torn ACL, and rookie fifth-round pick Joshua Josephs continues to make notable strides.
Commanders may have no choice but to take Javontae Jean-Baptiste through with a strong preseason
That makes things more difficult for Jean-Baptiste. But if the Commanders utilize free-agent acquisition Charles Omenihu and the returning Deatrich Wise Jr. on the 3-4 defensive front, that creates a slight window to make the team.
Jean-Baptiste has flashed some pass-rushing prowess in the regular season. Any momentum he had came to an abrupt halt in Year 2, but he is eager to make up for some lost time. And if he can generate this sort of havoc during Washington's preseason slate, all hope is not lost by any stretch of the imagination.
It'll be interesting to see what the next few weeks hold for Jean-Baptiste.
The Dolphins are not going to be good this season, so those in power might put an asterisk by his outstanding effort. But if it becomes the start of a dominant end to Washington's preparations for the new campaign, Jean-Baptiste might just have a shot at sticking around for a third year.
After missing so much time and gradually getting his football legs back underneath him, this will be a massive confidence boost for Jean-Baptiste. And this sensational surge is unlikely to go unnoticed by Quinn, Jones, or general manager Adam Peters.
But it will take sustained dominance to secure another role in 2026.
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