Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters prioritized defensive reinforcements this offseason. Specifically, there was an emphasis on bolstering the front seven rather than worrying too much about the secondary.
A few tweaks were made rather than any major alterations to the defensive backs at Daronte Jones' disposal. But for one questionable signing, significant improvements are needed.
The Commanders took a chance on Ahkello Witherspoon in free agency. He's got talent, but the cornerback has struggled to stay healthy throughout his career. Even so, Peters knows him well from their time together with the San Francisco 49ers, and he was willing to give the player an opportunity to flourish.
Ahkello Witherspoon is struggling to make the desired impact at Commanders minicamp
That is not going especially well so far. Witherspoon seems pretty far down the pecking order, even with Trey Amos missing sessions as he recovers from injury. And based on the reports emerging from the first day of mandatory minicamp, the veteran's consistency is nowhere near the level required right now.
Reporters in attendance noted that Witherspoon's contribution was up and down. He is taking time to find his feet, and others are starting to catch the eye instead. Though it's nothing to be overly concerned about right now, it's something for fans to keep a close eye on when training camp arrives.
The Commanders have Amos and Mike Sainristil as their starting tandem. Amik Robertson's versatility, competitiveness, and leadership should earn him an important role. All bets are off aside from that, with Washington even experimenting with Quan Martin and Tyler Owens in the nickel.
Ideally, Witherspoon would have made a more imposing start. He's got the size and length to make a difference. He's got some outstanding previous production to call upon, though this has diminished in recent years. It's also worth remembering that he might have been prioritizing staying healthy, which is affecting his performance.
There is no telling for sure, but the Commanders will be keeping a close eye on developments.
Peters believes a stronger front seven will make things easier for the entire secondary, but you still need corners and safeties to meet their end of the bargain. Witherspoon has experience on his side, but the Commanders' youth movement means he cannot take anything for granted by any stretch.
Nobody is expecting miracles from Witherspoon. He is projected to be CB4 and a rotational presence. He's not going to start, but it would be deeply disappointing if the Commanders didn't take him through onto their 53-man roster.
The hard work ahead cannot be overstated. Witherspoon's back is against the wall, and he must respond accordingly.
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