Commanders player grades through Week 2: Defense and Special Teams
By Jonathan Eig
Kendall Fuller - Commanders CB
- Player Grade: B+
Kendall Fuller is the Jonathan Allen of the Washington Commanders' defensive backs. It is a very young unit and he provides strong veteran leadership.
Benjamin St-Juste - Commanders CB
- Player Grade: B+
Did Benjamin St-Juste commit pass interference on the two-point try against the Denver Broncos? I’ll plead the fifth.
It wasn’t called, and therefore it was a game-saving play. If he remains healthy, St-Juste will be just fine at the outside cornerback position.
Emmanuel Forbes - Commanders CB
- Player Grade: B-
Pro Football Focus currently has Emmanuel Forbes rated as one of the worst corners in the NFL. I’m not sure what they are watching.
Forbes has been beaten a couple of times this season. But he also has the team’s lone interception through two weeks, leads the team in pass break-ups, and has shown a willingness to make tackles.
Of course, there will be some growing pains, but so far, Forbes has not disappointed.
Kamren Curl - Commanders S
- Player Grade: A-
You would prefer to have a linebacker lead the team in tackles. But Washington – in part due to scheme and in part due to talent – will not have that.
Fortunately they have Kamren Curl to take on that role. Another dynamic player that the Commanders need to pay sooner rather than later.
Darrick Forrest - Commanders S
- Player Grade: B-
I am not worried about Darrick Forrest yet. His play fell off a bit toward the end of last season, but I thought that was mostly attributable to Kamren Curl being in and out of the lineup.
Forrest hasn’t been much of a presence so far this season, which bears monitoring. Washington’s occasional lapses on big plays downfield have to be cleaned up and it starts with him.
Percy Butler - Commanders S
- Player Grade: C
I don’t think Percy Butler is supposed to be playing as much as he is through two weeks. I assume that if and when Quan Martin is healthy, he will revert to special teams ace, with occasional packages on defense.
He is not a great player in space, which is a problem for someone who is being asked to cover deep zones. When he is playing defense, I want Butler to be attacking.