3 under the radar Commanders who must contribute in Week 2 vs. NY Giants
By James Dudko
A New York Giants team coming off a demoralizing defeat in Week 1 presents the Washington Commanders with the perfect opportunity to get their rebuild headed in the right direction at Northwest Stadium this weekend. Provided three under-the-radar players contribute against their NFC East rivals.
Those hidden talents include a blocking tight end who is capable of helping the Commanders win two key matchups in the trenches. There's also room for a hybrid member of head coach Dan Quinn's defense who must boss the slot.
Under the radar Commanders players who must contribute in Week 2
John Bates can help Commanders win two matchups
No Commanders player has a more important role in Week 2 than John Bates. That may sound like an overstatement for a backup tight end, but he can wreck the Giants in multiple ways.
Bates' help will come from his superior blocking ability to help Washington's offensive line versus a decent Giants' 3-4 front. No. 87 can seal the edge for running plays, something he did for fun during preseason.
If Bates can accomplish this feat effectively, he'll help control edge-rushers Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux. They are the bookends of the Giants' front seven, but both were practically anonymous during their 28-6 defeat to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1.
Playing against Washington's struggling offensive tackles - Cornelius Lucas and Andrew Wylie - is the cue for Burns and Thibodeaux to dominate. Using Bates to double up will keep Big Blue's edge-rushers under wraps for both phases of the Commanders' offense.
Bates can also give the Commanders extra bodies to double the Giants' biggest threat.
Tyler Biadasz needs help
This game is why the Commanders gave Tyler Biadasz a contract worth $30 million in free agency. To keep All-Pro nose tackle Dexter Lawrence II quiet.
Lawrence has routinely toyed with the Commanders in recent years, but Biadasz is athletic and scrappy enough to perform better than Nick Gates did last season. Just as long as the new starter gets some help.
Guards Nick Allegretti and Sam Cosmi can help Biadasz double Lawrence consistently. More double teams will be possible if Bates is muscling edge-rushers on the outside.
Cosmi and Allegretii can stay free to join Biadasz in trying to control Lawrence. The extra pair of hands and additional bulk should shift the dominant fulcrum of New York's defense off his spot.
The Commanders and rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels won't move the ball if Lawrence is allowed to run riot. Just like Washington's defense won't stay secure without locking down an underrated pass-catcher.
Mike Sainristil must win in the slot
Although the Giants used the No. 6 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to select Malik Nabers, Wan'Dale Robinson is the wide receiver struggling quarterback Daniel Jones looked to most often in Week 1. He was targeted a team-high 12 times against the Vikings. It's a threat the Commanders must take seriously.
He also played 35 of his snaps in the slot, per Player Profiler. That makes Mike Sainristil a key part of the gameplan for Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr., even after the rookie endured a trying pro debut against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Sainristil can play outside cornerback or even line up in the box in nickel sets, but his slot work is more valuable. Specifically, the former Michigan stud's ability to clamp onto receivers and stay physical during routes.
Jamming Robinson won't be easy. The 5-foot-8, 185-pounder is a slippery customer, but Sainristil consistently handled small and shifty inside receivers for the Wolverines. If the toolsy defensive back does the same this week, the Commanders will have taken a big step toward a decisive victory.
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