4 nightmare scenarios for the Washington Commanders in 2024

Commanders breakout candidates struggle

Several players on this Washington Commanders team were drafted or brought in with high expectations and haven't met their targets as yet. In particular, there are two players in desperate need of a genuine breakout season under the new regime in 2024.

The first is wide receiver Jahan Dotson.

Dotson will be entering his third season in the league. If the wide receiver can’t get it done this year, he might never reach the level expected of a first-round selection.

The former Penn State star showed a lot of promise during his rookie season. Dotson compiled 35 receptions for 525 receiving yards and seven touchdowns over 12 games. He led all rookie pass catchers in touchdowns, so there was a lot to like about his chances moving forward.

In Dotson’s sophomore season, he was worse in just about every way statistically. He dropped to 49 receptions for 518 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 17 games. This included just a 42.3 percent route win rate, which was the 80th-best in the league.

Dotson must step up in 2024 and prove he is a true WR2. Otherwise, general manager Adam Peters will find someone else who can.

Emmanuel Forbes will be entering his second NFL season and is already on the hot seat. The Commanders’ past regime bypassed multiple cornerbacks who were widely viewed as the better options - Christian Gonzalez and Joey Porter Jr. - and opted for the Mississippi State product at No. 16 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Forbes really couldn’t put anything together during his rookie season. He seemed to get bullied by receivers and wasn’t the elite ballhawk he was in college. The defensive back secured just one interception while allowing 39 receptions for 640 receiving yards and five touchdowns for a 128.2 passer rating when targeted.

This was only in six games started - 14 contests in total. Forbes must buy into Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr.’s defense this season and have a true bounce-back year.