Lethargic player cements Commanders roster spot in preseason opener

The Washington Commanders' new regime is looking for players to rise and prove their worth. Those who survived general manager Adam Peters' initial roster purge are getting a legitimate chance to stake their respective claims. Some are failing to meet expectations. Others are thriving under improved coaching within schematic concepts that suit their strengths.

Dyami Brown is a prime example.

The wide receiver endured a rough ride over his first three seasons in the league. Flashing during the summer came with almost no consistent involvement when the real action commenced. There was a distinct lack of trust from Ron Rivera's staff to get him targets. Lapses in concentration didn't help Brown's cause, but the jury was still out heading into Washington's 2024 preparations.

Kliff Kingsbury's built up Brown's confidence gradually this offseason. The Commanders believe he offers something different - a physical, vertical threat who can be an asset to the scheme. It's been encouraging to see his growth, but getting it done in a more typical game-day environment was the biggest hurdle to overcome.

Dyami Brown's highlight catch confirms his Commanders roster status

Brown got the opportunity to do just that during Washington's preseason opener at the New York Jets. The former North Carolina star took full advantage, coming up with the game's most notable highlight to all but confirm his status on the 53-man roster in 2024.

Jayden Daniels is an exceptional deep thrower. When the quarterback spotted a potential weakness in the Jets' schematic alignment, the No. 2 overall pick called an audible. This resulted in a perfect throw downfield that was expertly brought in by Brown to the gasps of those in attendance.

The 2021 third-round selection eventually finished the warmup contest with two receptions from three targets for 55 receiving yards. Considering that Brown mustered just 168 receiving yards throughout the entire 2023 campaign, this is a huge step in the right direction.

It was an incredibly lethargic start to Brown's time with the Commanders. Things just didn't click with Rivera or his offensive staff. However, the wideout deserves credit for raising urgency, making chances count, and re-establishing himself as a potentially decent piece of Kingsbury's puzzle.

Fans are approaching this renaissance with cautious optimism. They've seen Brown flash promise over the summer with no substance attached when things matter more. Seeing is believing, but with Kingsbury's improved concepts and his growing chemistry with Daniels, things might be different this time around.

Brown is a certainty to make the team when all hope seemed lost. That's encouraging for the player. At the same, it's only half the battle.

Doing enough to earn prominent targets is the next objective. After that, attention turns to putting in the displays needed to get another contract from the Commanders or elsewhere in 2025.

This is the last year of Brown's rookie deal. This increased motivation hasn't gone unnoticed. There's a long road ahead and plenty of hurdles to overcome, but one cannot be anything other than impressed by the way the pass-catcher has applied himself during a make-or-break offseason.

After so long in the proverbial wilderness, things are trending up for Brown at long last. What comes next is equally if not more vital to his short-term aspirations.

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