5 Commanders players in danger of entering draft bust status in 2024
By Dean Jones
The Washington Commanders are counting on their young guns to make strides under the new coaching staff next season. Far too many went through the motions and couldn't meet expectations during Ron Rivera's four-year stint at the helm. A rousing effort is needed to get this franchise back to prominence.
Adam Peters' ruthless approach to roster building with a business-first model raises the urgency for almost everybody. The new general manager is planning for the future while implementing changes that should ensure short-term progress. This is also a constant assessment of those on the books and what more is needed moving forward.
Players who haven't met their lofty draft statuses are under more scrutiny than most. They got a lot of leeway under Rivera. That won't be the case this time around.
With this in mind, here are five Commanders players in danger of entering draft bust status unless things improve dramatically during the 2024 campaign.
Phidarian Mathis - Commanders DL
What constitutes a draft bust? A player taken in the top 100 picks who hasn't met the standards expected is a good measuring stick for this exercise.
Phidarian Mathis fits into this category. The formidable defensive tackle got off to a terrible start thanks to a serious injury during his rookie season. He endured health misfortune to begin the 2023 campaign and couldn't make an impact when called upon. This leaves his fortunes firmly hanging in the balance.
The Washington Commanders have Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen as their starting defensive tackle tandem. They also spent a second-round pick on Johnny Newton, who could be a significant rotational asset within Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr.'s scheme right out of the gate.
What this means for Mathis' involvement remains to be seen. It would be surprising to see him not make the 53-man roster, but anything less than improved consistency when called upon firmly places the No. 47 overall selection into the dreaded draft bust category.