4 Commanders players who could be nice surprises in 2024
By Dean Jones
Armani Rogers - Commanders TE
Armani Rogers endured some rough luck last season. Many wondered whether the athletic tight end could be set to feature more prominently in the passing game after flashing briefly during the 2022 campaign. Unfortunately for the player, he sustained a serious injury on the first day of OTAs that ruled him out before any momentum could be generated.
Rogers is reportedly making good progress from a torn Achilles. He was 80 percent through his rehabilitation in January and is targeting off-season workouts to get back onto the field. Just how much explosiveness has been lost after such a significant complication remains to be seen, but this is not the career-damaging issue it once was thanks to medical advancements.
The Washington Commanders need one of their young tight ends to make strides after releasing Logan Thomas. There's hope Zach Ertz can assist in the short term. Finding another pass-catching tight-end threat is also something for those in power to contemplate with the vast assets in the first three rounds.
This will make things more difficult for Rogers in pursuit of making an impression on a different set of eyes and coaching philosophies. But if offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury likes what he sees initially, the Ohio college product would be a surprise most teams won't see coming.