Which young Washington Commanders players are already starting to impose themselves during the team's training camp in 2023?
What a fascinating fortnight it's been for the Washington Commanders. Training camp is now at the halfway stage and the atmosphere is night and day compared to what transpired in the final years under Dan Snyder - something that further highlights a sleeping giant potentially awakening if managed correctly.
Josh Harris' ownership group has been present at various stages of camp to keep everyone on their toes. But the spring in Ron Rivera's step alone indicates that everyone's jobs have already been designated and the head coach can finally focus on football at long last.
Looking at the state of affairs, the Commanders have a nice roster with the correct blend of youth and experience. It's been great to see the more inexperienced figures stepping up, although that doesn't detract from what a precarious situation this will be if quarterback Sam Howell cannot meet expectations.
That said, these three Commanders players have turned heads for all the right reasons throughout camp so far.
Emmanuel Forbes - Commanders CB
We've spent hours writing about Emnanuel Forbes and his exceptional transition from a college environment to the Washington Commanders. The gifted cornerback's outstanding athletic attributes have come to the fore and he's taken on the challenge of assuming prominent starting responsibilities extremely well - something that's likely to come with significant involvement right out of the gate in 2023.
The Commanders thought a lot of Forbes throughout their pre-draft assessments before taking him at No. 16 overall. It's still early days, but the former Mississippi State stud has all the makings of a shutdown presence at the position providing he copes with the more physical aspect in the coming weeks.
Chris Paul - Commanders OL
This time of year is all about building momentum and demonstrating the necessary development for increased involvement. First impressions are everything and the growth displayed throughout the summer by Chris Paul is something that the Washington Commanders have found difficult to ignore.
Paul received praise from Ron Rivera over early workouts for making some outstanding improvements away from the team. This put him in a straight fight with Saahdiq Charles for the starting left guard position on Washington's revamped protection in 2023.
For a while, it looked as if Charles might be the frontrunner. However, yet another calf complication has opened the door for Paul, who's been working with the starting unit over recent days and has thrived against the Commanders' exceptional defensive front.
The former seventh-round selection isn't going to have it all his own way going up against the likes of Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen. But the fact Paul's holding his own and drawing rave reviews is a testament to how far the Tulsa product has come in such a short space of time.
If we're being honest, the Commanders cannot depend on Charles from a health or production standpoint. The one-time LSU star has had countless chances whereas Paul's had very few - something that might change if he continues with the same production heading into Week 1.
Phidarian Mathis - Commanders DL
After practically missing his entire rookie campaign through injury, Phidarian Mathis came into training camp chomping at the bit. The hard yards in terms of rehabilitation concluded and the defensive lineman's focus shifted to carving out a prominent role for himself on a stacked Washington Commanders' elite front. Mission accomplished up to now.
Mathis is never going to unseat the two confirmed interior starters. Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne are two established figures with exceptional credentials, but the former second-round selection offers a different dynamic that is allowing defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio to get a little more creative.
The Commanders have been experimenting with a formidable five-man defensive front. Mathis acts as the nose tackle with Allen and Payne alongside him, leaving the pass-rushing tandem of Chase Young and Montez Sweat flying off the edge with additional space to do damage.
This should strike fear into the heart of every offensive line around the NFL. Mathis' brute functional strength is enough to clog up space for the more established performers alongside him, but one cannot ignore his own short-area explosiveness that could be a surprise some teams don't see coming.
More importantly for Mathis and the Commanders, there have been no further complications on the health front. Something that can hopefully continue into the 2023 season and way beyond for a player with immense promise.