Commanders 2024 rookie power rankings entering Week 1 at the Buccaneers
By Dean Jones
6. Tyler Owens - Commanders S
Tyler Owens made his presence felt almost immediately. The undrafted free agent was stung by not hearing his name called during the 2024 NFL Draft. Everything worked out well after a sterling effort from the athletic safety comfortably booked his place on the 53-man roster.
This is the start of Owens' hard work. He was thoroughly deserving of his chance to go through, but the former Texas Tech defensive back will be harboring bigger ambitions from here on. Specifically, forcing his way onto the defensive rotation.
The Washington Commanders will take their time with Owens. He's got the physical gifts that Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. look for in their secondary performers. They also have pretty decent depth in the safety room, so the player can develop at his pace while making a considerable impact on special teams from the moment he steps onto an NFL field.
Owens is an exciting player. At the same time, doing it in a competitive regular-season setting is a different element entirely.
5. Ben Sinnott - Commanders TE
The Commanders are counting on their tight-end unit being more productive in 2024. We've already spoken about the unknown quantity of Colson Yankoff and what his potential role might be in 2024. Expectations are much higher surrounding second-round pick Ben Sinnott.
Washington took Sinnott with the No. 53 overall selection in the draft. They see him as someone who could be a complete package with extra refinement. His strong offseason and encouraging performances in the preseason only lend further weight to these claims.
Sinnott is currently behind veteran free-agent signing Zach Ertz. That might not be for much longer, but offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury should find ways to get both on the field as he looks to make things easier for first-year quarterback Jayden Daniels during his rookie campaign.
The former Kansas State sensation can do his hopes of prominent involvement quickly some good by shining at the Tampa Bay Buccanneers in Week 1. Washington's staff will have no option other than to put more on his plate after that.
4. Luke McCaffrey - Commanders WR
Luke McCaffrey had a quiet training camp and preseason. The Commanders took a gradual approach with the rookie wide receiver throughout the summer. This might have been by design to keep their secret weapon out of the limelight before the regular season.
Washington placed McCaffrey as one of the starting wide receivers on their unofficial depth chart. Take that how you want, but it's a strong indicator that the Commanders have something up their sleeve with the No. 100 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.
McCaffrey could be one of the primary beneficiaries of the Commanders' decision to trade Jahan Dotson. He's developed a close rapport with Jayden Daniels and has some intriguing athletic attributes to call upon despite his lack of experience at the wideout spot. Keeping expectations low initially would be wise, but don't be shocked if the former Rice star emerges as a focal point as the campaign progresses.