Which Washington Commanders players could get another shot at proving themselves following the appointment of head coach Dan Quinn?
Dan Quinn's arrival comes with many layers attached. Many believe the Washington Commanders settled on the experienced figure after missing out on Ben Johnson and Mike Macdonald. Others feel like this is the genuine leader of men needed at such a crucial point in franchise history.
The truth is somewhere in the middle. Quinn's credentials are proven. He's revered around the league. He wasn't the flashiest hire imaginable compared to other candidates, but he's keen to maximize this second head coaching opportunity as part of an ambitious leadership structure capable of taking the Commanders out of irrelevancy.
There is a lot of hard work ahead for Quinn and others in positions of power. Countless hours of game film will be studied regarding current playing personnel. Some will be moved on without much fanfare attached. Others might get a surprising reprieve if the new head coach and general manager Adam Peters see fit.
With this in mind, here are four Commanders players who could get another shot under Quinn in 2024.
Jabril Cox - Commanders LB
There was some intrigue when the Washington Commanders picked up Jabril Cox off the waiver wire once 53-man rosters were confirmed around the league. The linebacker had a lot going for him physically despite not doing enough with the Dallas Cowboys. This was seemingly a much better situation for the LSU product given the lack of second-level depth in the nation's capital.
Cox was a proverbial bystander for most of 2023. The Commanders moved forward with their preferred two-linebacker sets under both Jack Del Rio and Ron Rivera. As such, we have no idea what they have in the player.
Thankfully, Dan Quinn will have a better indication. He worked with Cox during their time together on the Cowboys. Whether it results in another chance for the player remains to be seen, but having a familiar face leading the charge doesn't hinder his chances whatsoever.
James Smith-Williams - Commanders DE
The Washington Commanders lost most of their pass-rush when those in power decided to trade Montez Sweat and Chase Young before the deadline. It was a tall order for players lower down the pecking order to step up and replicate their production. There were a few flashes from some, but this is a position group in dire need of reinforcements this offseason.
What this means for Washington's options from the 2023 campaign will be dependent on Adam Peters and Dan Quinn's assessments. Most of them are on the lookout for new deals. Not everyone will get an opportunity to make an impact moving forward.
James Smith-Williams is an interesting case. The defensive end looked set to be one of the primary beneficiaries once Sweat and Young departed. His work as a rotational presence came in for praise. However, he was unable to muster enough from a starting role to convince anyone he was worthy of these increased responsibilities long-term.
That said, every good team around the NFL needs sound depth in the trenches. Quinn freely admitted a desire to build from the inside out as part of his grand plans for the Commanders. Smith-Williams might not be capable of being a reliable starting option, but the former seventh-round pick out of North Carolina State could get another chance to stake his claim thanks to his overall body of work.
Khaleke Hudson - Commanders LB
As previously mentioned, the Washington Commanders didn't get much from their linebacking corps in 2023. Jamin Davis was the only genuine model of consistency and should improve further under Dan Quinn's guidance. Aside from that, it was underwhelming at best.
There was hope that Khaleke Hudson could make another leap forward after shining during the preseason. Despite these increased expectations, Ron Rivera opted to not use the second-level presence on the defensive rotation over the first five games. This ensured any momentum surrounding the player was lost at a critical time.
Hudson deserves credit for bouncing back and putting together a decent campaign overall. He logged 74 tackles, one sack, five tackles for loss, and two passes defended from just 35 percent of the Commanders' snaps on defense. It wasn't perfect, but there's something in the former fifth-round selection that could warrant another look.
One thing Quinn is known for above all else is bringing more out of his players. He knows what makes the modern-day athlete tick. He knows how to put them in the best possible positions to thrive. This could be the catalyst that unlocks Hudson's true potential.
This would need to involve a new contract. Perhaps Hudson would be willing to accept a short-term deal with the promise of more to come if the Michigan product thrives with Quinn leading the charge.
Jeremy Reaves - Commanders S
Jeremy Reaves is a determined character. He deserves endless praise for rising from obscurity to become an All-Pro special teamer. There was even hope the defensive back could build on this newfound momentum to potentially become a big part of the rotation in 2023.
Reaves played second fiddle to the starting safety tandem of Kamren Curl and Darrick Forrest. He did manage to integrate himself into the lineup when called upon. Unfortunately, his campaign was brought to an abrupt halt thanks to a serious knee injury.
The former undrafted free agent out of South Alabama is on the road to recovery and eager to get back to his old form. Reaves would need to impress a new set of eyes if given a contract extension by the Washington Commanders. Whether this arrives after he was tendered to prevent him from leaving last spring is another matter.
Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. will study the tape before making their recommendation to general manager Adam Peters. Much will also depend on the player's rehabilitation and whether it will prevent him from staking a claim through the Commanders' offseason activities.
Loyalty is seldom found around the cutthroat business that the NFL has become. Those in power will have no sentiment attached to Reaves' contract decision, but another short-term deal could be worth its weig