Which Washington Commanders players stand to benefit most from the team making Dan Quinn their next head coach?
Dan Quinn is the new Washington Commanders head coach. While many expected the franchise to go with an offensive mind - especially with the prospect of picking a quarterback at No. 2 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft - those in power felt like a more experienced leader was needed to help them through such a pivotal transition.
Quinn deserves his second shot at being a head coach. He worked wonders with the Dallas Cowboys defense, turning them into a dominant force after inheriting one of the league's worst units statistically. Players respect him and he's proven to maximize the talent at his disposal. That's exactly the sort of figure Washington needs after a lackluster final campaign under Ron Rivera.
There is a lot of hard work ahead. The Commanders' roster is going to look entirely different once free agency and the draft have been navigated. But that does not detract from the need to get more out of the options already on the books.
With this in mind, here are four Commanders players who stand to benefit from the team's decision to hire Quinn.
Quan Martin - Commanders DB
It was a slow start to Quan Martin's rookie campaign. However, the former second-round selection looked like a player of real promise over the second half of 2023.
Martin coped well with increased responsibilities. He came on in terms of run support. He looked assured in coverage as the Washington Commanders' big nickel, bringing eye-catching physicality and anticipation to a key position.
Dan Quinn's prowess when it comes to coaching up defensive backs should work in Martin's favor. The Illinois product cannot rest on his laurels, but there's a lot to like about his chances of developing further if he buys into the new head coach right out of the gate.
Emmanuel Forbes - Commanders CB
It was a rookie campaign to forget for Emmanuel Forbes. The Washington Commanders had lofty expectations for the No. 16 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft after targeting him early in the assessment process. As it turned out, the cornerback wasn't ready for the responsibilities Ron Rivera and his staff had planned.
Forbes found life difficult in almost all phases. He couldn't cope with covering the opposition's No. 1 wideout. He was often outmatched physically. His tackling in run support also came in for criticism. The Commanders benched him for a brief period, so the jury is still as to whether or not they made the right call.
All hope is not lost where Forbes is concerned. If anyone can help the former Mississippi State star regain his confidence, it's new head coach Dan Quinn.
Quinn's had success nurturing young defensive backs throughout his time with the Dallas Cowboys. He instantly turned Trevon Diggs into an elite ballhawk. His work with DaRon Bland turned a mid-round afterthought into an All-Pro this season. If the coach has a similar impact with Forbes, the benefits will be substantial.
Tempering expectations with Forbes would be wise initially. Quinn will know how to put him in better positions to thrive, but hopes are high that having this sort of influence on the defensive back could provide the spark that ignites him to better fortunes in 2024.
Jamin Davis - Commanders LB
Next season is a big one for Jamin Davis. It doesn't seem likely that the Washington Commanders will pick up his fifth-year option. Therefore, the former first-round pick must excel in a contract year as he looks to earn a lucrative long-term deal with the franchise.
Davis has the athletic intangibles to be more of a force. He was exposed on occasion in 2023 thanks in no small part to having nobody capable alongside him at the defensive second level. Reinforcements will arrive in some capacity to bolster the linebacking corps, but the Kentucky product is set to play an important role under Dan Quinn.
The head coach is a supreme talent evaluator on the defensive side of things. Quinn is going to carve up a plan to make Davis more influential on a three-down basis. Whether that's as an off-ball linebacker or rushing from the edge remains to be seen.
Could Davis have a future as a stand-up edge rusher similar to how Quinn deployed Micah Parsons? One couldn't rule it out, although much will also depend on which players the Commanders manage to acquire this offseason.
Having some extra financial motivation will only help Davis next season. If Quinn works his magic and fine-tunes the player's physical gifts, his chances of a genuine breakout increase exponentially.
Daron Payne - Commanders DT
The Washington Commanders made Daron Payne one of the league's highest-paid defensive tackles after a breakout campaign in 2022. It was a down year by his newfound high standards this season, but he wasn't alone in that regard as the defense spiraled quickly under the guidance of fired defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio and ex-head coach Ron Rivera.
Payne looked a bit uninspired on occasion. He kept plugging away in difficult circumstances, but trading Montez Sweat and Chase Young before the deadline meant opposing protection schemes were able to focus their attention on limiting the interior pressure. Something that made putting up eye-catching numbers difficult.
Thankfully, Dan Quinn is here to change all that.
He'll have plenty of previous knowledge of Payne's capabilities having come up against him twice a season with the Dallas Cowboys. The experienced figure will also have a plan in mind to make the former Alabama star a truly dominant force.
Jonathan Allen's future doesn't seem all that clear-cut despite some positive comments once the hiring of Quinn was confirmed. The Commanders have a business decision to make with the veteran. As for Payne? It would be a huge disappointment if he didn't reap the benefits of working closely with his new head coach.