3 Commanders holdovers who could play a significant role in 2024

Andrew Wylie - Commanders OT

When the new management didn't draft or trade for a right tackle, Washington Commanders fans everywhere were collectively scratching their heads. Improvements were made along the offensive line, but the edge spots come with significant questions attached.

Did Adam Peters, Dan Quinn, and Kliff Kingsbury see enough on tape from veteran Andrew Wylie to warrant starting him once more at the position in 2024? The short answer must be yes. Because that's exactly what they've done.

Maybe it will help to realize that for the past several years the Dallas Cowboys have had one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. Though Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. were focused on the defensive side of the ball, they both saw in practice the inner machinations of that protection Washington's fierce NFC East rivals were presenting on Sundays.

Quinn was once upon a time responsible for protecting Matt Ryan, who led them to a Super Bowl during his time as Atlanta Falcons head coach. He knows what a solid offensive line looks like.

Combined with the expert eye of general manager Adam Peters, it's hard to not give them a chance despite Wylie's indifferent campaign last year. The more Commanders fans get to know the guys in charge, the more they will begin to see that they know what they're doing.

Ron Rivera and his staff failed in their assessments of several players. So what's the problem with assuming that they failed in the evaluation of Wylie and used him poorly as well?

The left side of Washington's offensive line has some new moving parts thanks to the arrival of third-round pick Brandon Coleman. But with Sam Cosmi beside him on the right, look for a major bounce-back year for Wylie as he helps rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels take the NFL by storm in Year 1 of his professional career.