7 Commanders players in precarious situations despite 2024 reprieve
By Dean Jones
Dyami Brown - Commanders WR
Not many held out much hope for Dyami Brown in 2024. Another anonymous campaign and an influx of new arrivals to the wide receiver room left his fortunes hanging by a thread. Fortunately for the player and the Washington Commanders, he faced adversity head-on and put together an outstanding summer.
Brown developed instant chemistry with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. He looked like the vertical threat this offense desperately needs. There was also a lot to like about his production in a typical game-day setting, which was easily his biggest stumbling block over the last three years.
Trading Jahan Dotson to the Philadelphia Eagles was a big confidence boost for Brown en route to a well-deserved roster spot. Complacency cannot become an issue for the former third-round pick out of North Carolina, especially considering the Commanders recently acquired Noah Brown. He's another feast-or-famine playmaker with more proven production than anyone in Washington's wide receiver unit aside from Pro Bowl pass-catcher Terry McLaurin.
This is also the final year of Brown's rookie deal. That's all the motivation he should need to firmly establish himself, but his predicament could legitimately go either way.
Benjamin St-Juste - Commanders CB
The Commanders are more confident in their cornerback options than most fans. Mike Sainristil looks like a potential superstar, but the rest come with significant doubts attached. It's a make-or-break year for most, which also includes much-maligned outside presence Benjamin St-Juste.
St-Juste had some nice moments in 2023. He was also burned on countless occasions downfield. The former third-round selection has the size and physicality normally associated with Dan Quinn's defensive backs. Working within a more progressive scheme is something else working in his favor.
It was a relatively quiet training camp from St-Juste, which isn't necessarily a bad thing for cornerbacks. If they aren't being critiqued, they aren't making mistakes. His status on the 53-man roster was locked in from a long way out. At the same time, there's a sense of urgency to right some wrongs and potentially earn a new deal along the way.
This is a contract year from St-Juste. Considering his recent inconsistencies and the fact he was a Ron Rivera draft pick, the need to raise performance levels is glaring in his quest for an extended stay under the new regime.