Joshua Josephs is quickly validating what the Commanders saw on draft day

The Washington Commanders fell to the Detroit Lions in their second preseason game, one in which their only touchdown came from a defense that's already showing a knack for taking the ball away under new coordinator Daronte Jones.

And it was a late-round rookie at the center of it all.

Joshua Josephs entered the preseason as the forgotten man of the Commanders' 2026 NFL Draft class. The fifth-round pick from Tennessee joined a crowded group of edge rushers, but he should have a chance to emerge in a rotational role for Washington this year.

Joshua Josephs continues to stake a strong claim during Commanders' preseason slate

And every time he steps onto the field, that role is getting bigger.

All of the attention on the Commanders' rookies this year has gone to No. 7 overall pick Sonny Styles and, to a lesser degree, offensive contributors Antonio Williams, Kaytron Allen, and Athan Kaliakmanis. That is not the case anymore.

Everybody had overlooked Josephs. But he came out during the preseason refusing to be ignored.

Josephs was impressive against the Miami Dolphins, but his full statement came on the first drive of Washington's second contest in Detroit. After former Lions cornerback Amik Robertson knocked the ball out of quarterback Joshua Dobbs' hand, the rookie hustled to the end zone and recovered it for a Commanders touchdown.

Right there, Josephs did something the Commanders didn't do throughout the entire 2025 season.

Score a defensive touchdown.

Last time they did so was on the very same field. Quan Martin — who has also impressed in his new role this month with two interceptions — returned a Jared Goff pick for six in Washington's upset victory over the Lions during the 2024 divisional playoff round.

Joshua Josephs is fitting seamlessly into Commanders' defensive philosophy

Since that time, nothing.

But Josephs changed that. And it's a sign of how far this defense is coming under Jones' guidance.

Creating turnovers has been a point of emphasis in Jones' new system. Josephs is already showing the type of heart Washington needs from its young players.

The Commanders expect to be quicker, more athletic, and harder-hitting than the lethargic group they trotted out under previous defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. a year ago. And to bring that plan to fruition, they'll need their youth to step up in a big way.

Thus far, Josephs is emerging as a player Washington will expect to count on not only this year, but for years to come. Though it's far too early to make any sweeping judgments, it can be argued he's flashed more than Styles has through two warm-up outings.

Games are won and lost in the turnover margin. The Commanders had the second-worst differential in the league in that regard a season ago, because they simply didn't make difference-making plays on the ball.

Josephs is already showing he's the type of player who can make difference-making plays. He'll be one worth hanging onto.

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