Which young Washington Commanders players are already turning heads at the team's training camp heading into the 2023 campaign?
It's been refreshing to see such electricity surrounding Washington Commanders training camp over the first few sessions. This was non-existent over the more than two-decade reign of Dan Snyder and something which represents hope for better fortunes both on the field and regarding ambitious plans coming to fruition away from the gridiron.
Ron Rivera is finally focusing all his attention on the football side of things, which has reinvigorated the head coach in mindset and overall demeanor. He also has the benefit of a talented roster with the right blend of youth and experience that could potentially surprise a few in 2023.
With this in mind, here are four young Commanders players who are already turning heads at the team's training camp in 2023.
Brian Robinson Jr. - Commanders RB
After a turbulent rookie campaign that began with suffering gunshot wounds during a car-jacking, Brian Robinson Jr. is eager to put a smoother preparation period to good use this time around. The former third-round pick is assuming lead-running back responsibilities under the watchful eye of Eric Bieniemy, who's already had a positive effect on the player's pass-catching out of the backfield in a relatively short space of time.
Robinson feels like a new man and is finally removed from the aches associated with his off-field incident. Antonio Gibson and perhaps even sixth-rounder Chris Rodriguez Jr. will get some work, but the onus is firmly on the Alabama product to become an integral part of Bieniemy's scheme.
All the early signs over camp so far have been positive. Hopefully, this trend continues in the weeks ahead and Robinson can hit the ground running in Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals.
Emmanuel Forbes - Commanders CB
The Washington Commanders were clearly expecting big things from Emmanuel Forbes after becoming especially enamored with the cornerback throughout their pre-draft evaluations. Judging by how the No. 16 overall selection has performed over training camp so far, he's keen to repay this supreme faith.
Forbes has looked the part in terms of coverage and is holding his own against some immensely talented wide receivers at Washington's disposal. Throwing the former Mississippi State standout at the deep end against Terry McLaurin is another sure-fire measuring stick to build upon moving forward.
The next big test for Forbes is this week during padded practices. Coping with the NFL's physicality with such a slender frame represents a challenge, but there was nothing to be overly concerned about on Tuesday despite competing in one-on-ones with 6-foot-4 wideout Marcus Kemp.
Things couldn't have gone much better for the rookie right out of the gate. Forbes looks like he belongs and unless something drastic happens beforehand, will be one of Washington's starting cornerbacks in Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals.
If Forbes and second-rounder Quan Martin ensure the necessary improvements arrive in the secondary, then the Commanders' defense will be hard to overcome. It might even see Jack Del Rio's defense become the league's best when it's all said and done.
Dyami Brown - Commanders WR
After a less-than-stellar first two years with the Washington Commanders, the jury was out on Dyami Brown heading into training camp. It's been hard to generate any meaningful targets behind the star-studded trio in front of him, but there is a different aura about the player this time around that's been hard not to notice.
Brown looks noticeably more confident, has improved his route-running dramatically, and is making opportunities count. Eric Bieniemy's faith in the former third-round pick provided the added assurance needed, with his previous connection to Sam Howell from their time together at North Carolina something else that's assisting greatly.
Nobody has ever denied Brown's athletic credentials. For some reason, it hasn't come together as yet, but that looks to be changing under a play-caller that is renowned for creating the mismatches needed to thrive.
There's an extra spring in Brown's step these days. The wideout appears highly motivated to prove his doubters wrong and even though this is a more relaxed environment compared to a regular gameday, there's been a lot to like.
Building on this momentum in the weeks ahead is Brown's next big challenge. It might be worth Bieniemy giving the potentially dynamic weapon all he can handle during preseason games and seeing how he gets on.
For now, things are going better than expected for Brown. Something the Commanders hope continues long into the future.
Sam Howell - Commanders QB
There are few players around the NFL with more pressure on their shoulders than Sam Howell in 2023. The quarterback has many jobs lying in the palm of his hands as the first starting quarterback under the new ownership era led by Josh Harris' group, so the ramifications are going to be severe if he cannot meet expectations.
Howell's taken most things in his stride with customary calmness throughout the offseason so far. It's been a mixed bag in terms of production, but the former fifth-round pick is gradually improving and becoming more comfortable as Washington's lead man over the team's training camp to date.
It's never going to go completely Howell's way against such an imposing defense. But the signal-caller is placing the football well, knows how to recognize pressure, and is improvising well on the move for good measure.
Eric Bieniemy is demanding a lot of Howell and the offense. Things need to be a little smoother pre-snap and urgency in the huddle isn't as consistent as his play-caller would like, but there has been far more good than bad where the North Carolina product is concerned.
There's no doubt Rivera has bet his future on Howell becoming the consistent presence needed at football's most pivotal position. It's a lot to ask - a journey into the unknown with one career start - but confidence surrounding the gunslinger is growing with every passing practice session.