If the Washington Commanders want to stand any chance of meeting increased expectations, they must have everyone pulling together. Too many lacked motivation and were looking out for themselves during the final days of Ron Rivera's tenure. That cannot happen again if this historic franchise wants to return to competitiveness in 2024 and beyond.
There's an improved atmosphere around the building under Dan Quinn and his staff. Players have fully bought in and are helping each other through this pivotal early transition. Hopefully, it's a sign of things to come as the Commanders emerge from the wilderness and back to respectability.
Unleashing some hidden potential within those who've failed to meet targets previously would help them along the way. Washington has a lot of promising players. Perhaps a fresh set of ideas and improved schematic concepts will make all the difference, but there's just no telling for sure.
With this in mind, here are three Commanders players who must unlock their true potential in 2024.
Phidarian Mathis - Commanders DL
Year 3 is normally the time when NFL teams get a broad indication of what a player could be or will become. The Washington Commanders have no idea about the future aspirations of Phidarian Mathis after his first two seasons in the league. Something that has to change as a matter of urgency this summer.
Mathis' rookie campaign ended before it began thanks to injury. Health issues impacted his chances of hitting the ground running in 2023. Even when he was on the field, the former second-round pick out of Alabama looked lackluster as another campaign spiraled into oblivion.
With the Commanders selecting Johnny Newton at No. 36 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, the pressure on Mathis reached critical status. Anything less than progress and dominant performance levels throughout the preparation period could see his time with the franchise conclude swiftly.
If there was ever a time for Mathis to prove why the Commanders thought so highly of him, it's now. Whether the interior defensive lineman is capable of reaching these targets hasn't been determined. But it won't take long to find out for sure.
Jahan Dotson - Commanders WR
Jahan Dotson's been solid enough since joining the Washington Commanders. Unfortunately for the wide receiver, he was drafted to be much more than that.
The Commanders thought they found a gem when Dotson was there for the taking at No. 16 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. He's gone over 500 receiving yards in each of his first two seasons. But the player's expected breakout under Eric Bieniemy didn't materialize last time around. This was one of many disappointments associated with Ron Rivera's final campaign as head coach.
Dotson is getting another chance to prove himself. The former Penn State star looks tailor-made to become a dynamic playmaker within Kliff Kingsbury's scheme. He also has an exciting quarterback in Jayden Daniels to depend upon providing the right chemistry is accumulated during the preparation period.
Kingsbury will have a plan in place to maximize the skill set Dotson brings to the table. Getting the football into his hands quickly would be a good place to start. However, the player needs to rid himself of concentration errors and work on creating separation manually with more effectiveness.
If Dotson can do this, improved numbers should follow. The Commanders have Terry McLaurin as their No. 1 wideout and hopes are high that rookie Luke McCaffrey can play his part immediately. Aside from that, there are more questions than answers surrounding the rest. That's why he must deliver in 2024.
What comes next is down to Dotson. The Commanders need him to surge forward and emerge into the explosive, elusive presence they thought he'd become pre-draft. There's also plenty of incentive from the player's perspective with his fifth-year option decision on the immediate horizon.
Dotson isn't lacking in self-confidence. He feels like the changes made throughout the offseason can help unlock his inner spark. If this scenario comes to fruition, everyone associated with the franchise is going to benefit enormously.
Dyami Brown - Commanders WR
Fans have almost given up hope that Dyami Brown will carve out a prominent role for himself. The wide receiver has everything needed to thrive from a physical standpoint. It hasn't come together as yet and might not unless he finds a way to dig deep this summer.
Optimism enhanced surrounding Brown heading into last season. The Washington Commanders placed Sam Howell - his former teammate at North Carolina - as their starting quarterback. Fans were hoping that this already developed chemistry in college could similarly thrive in the pros.
It didn't work out that way. Brown was once again an innocent bystander with just 23 targets. He failed to grasp opportunities when they arrived and there was a distinct lack of trust to get him heavily involved. This was nothing short of disastrous.
Many wondered if the new regime would cut Brown loose this offseason. The Commanders would have been well within their right to do so, but the coaching staff wanted to see what they could potentially bring out of the wideout before taking any drastic action.
Brown has the size and speed to make a difference. Jayden Daniels likes to get the football downfield quickly. If the 2021 third-round selection emerges as a vertical threat capable of stretching the field, he might just have a chance.
This is a precarious situation for Brown. There is no margin for error whatsoever.
He needs to approach every snap like it's his last. Developing a rapport with Daniels will also serve him well. If these difficult tasks can be accomplished, then the Commanders would be wise to take him through onto the roster and see if Kliff Kingsbury can get a better tune out of the player.
However, if the likes of Luke McCaffrey and Olamide Zaccheaus outperform Brown throughout the team's training camp, the Commanders could cut the cord with one year remaining on his deal. The pressure is on in no uncertain terms.