5 difficult riddles the Commanders must solve at 2024 training camp
By Dean Jones
Who will be Commanders' starting left tackle?
One of the biggest concerns surrounding the Washington Commanders heading into their first training camp under Dan Quinn is the left tackle position. Releasing Charles Leno Jr. wasn't a great shock. What's concerning fans is the options available after general manager Adam Peters failed to trade back into the first round for an elite-level prospect.
The Commanders started Cornelius Lucas on the blindside over early offseason workouts. Third-round selection Brandon Coleman also got starting reps as part of his initial development. Only journeyman Trent Scott could be classed as another option aside from that.
Washington would be wise to get their No. 1 left tackle locked in at the earliest possible opportunity. Having continuity along the protection is imperative - especially considering there is a genuine franchise quarterback to protect this time around. Whether that's Lucas, Coleman, or another potential addition to the ranks is another matter.
Coleman will rise quickly and become a long-term starter in an ideal world. That's no guarantee, so the Commanders need a contingency plan or two in place to prepare for every eventuality.
Do the Commanders have enough at cornerback?
Mike Sainristil looks like a tremendous addition to the Commanders. The feisty slot cornerback brings proven credentials and a winning mindset to the secondary. His best work comes on the inside, which allows the player to impact proceedings against the run and be deployed on blitz packages depending on the situation.
Things are more concerning on the outside. The Commanders hope Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. can work their magic on Emmanuel Forbes Jr., Benjamin St-Juste, and free-agent signing Michael Davis. That'll be easier said than done based on how each performed during the previous campaign.
The Commanders cannot stand by and watch their pass defense become a weak link once again. Adam Peters has enough money to acquire reinforcements if needed. That will be determined by how the aforementioned trio performs over camp.
Anything less than 100 percent conviction in their production levels should see another dependable cornerback come into the fold. Washington also has enough salary-cap space to find a quality player in this scenario.