Ranking every Commanders position group before the 2024 NFL Draft

3. Commanders safeties

Kamren Curl was the Washington Commanders' best safety in 2023. He is now on the Los Angeles Rams after Adam Peters declined to make him an extension offer. But the cupboard isn’t exactly bare.

Darrick Forrest and Jeremy Reaves return from injuries that cost them most of 2023. The latter's value is most obvious on special teams, but the former's return as a deep safety could be crucial.

Washington does not have anyone else to play the role. If Forrest can develop a rapport with free agent signee Jeremy Chinn which allows him to play closer to the line of scrimmage, they could form an effective partnership.

Then there is Quan Martin, the second-round pick in 2023 who showed some real ability during his rookie season. He was also inconsistent and injury-plagued, but the Illinois college product can play virtually anywhere in the defensive backfield and could be a real weapon, perhaps allowing Chinn to play as an outside edge player on passing downs.

2. Commanders RBs

The Commanders let Antonio Gibson leave via free agency and signed Austin Ekeler to essentially take his place. Though we all would have preferred the veteran several years ago, this is an upgrade.

Ekeler is a quality professional back, who can run, catch and find the end zone. In Washington, he will not be asked to carry too heavy a load, which is exactly what the player was looking for at this stage of his career.

Young runners Brian Robinson Jr. and Chris Rodriguez Jr. will do much of the heavy lifting on early downs and short yardage situations, allowing Ekeler more freedom and creating less wear and tear. The results should be apparent all season.

The Commanders also have veteran Jeremy McNichols to provide deeper depth in the way Jonathan Williams has in recent years. Hopefully, they will not need to call on him. If a speedier back presents himself early on Day 3 of the draft, Adam Peters might be tempted to look for Ekeler’s eventual replacement.