Kain Medrano didn't get much involvement as a rookie. The Washington Commanders gradually brought along the athletic but raw linebacker, which was the right call in the circumstances.
However, there are growing signs that the former UCLA star could be a bigger factor this time around.
It won't be easy for Medrano. The Commanders made some impressive additions to their linebacker room this offseason, signing Leo Chenal in free agency and spending the No. 7 overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft on Sonny Styles. With Frankie Luvu and Jordan Magee also around, it's made things even more challenging for anyone else to make their presence felt.
Kain Medrano finally has the Commanders' attention after strong offseason
That hasn't stopped Medrano from giving everything he has in his second offseason with the club. His efforts haven't gone unnoticed, with head coach Dan Quinn singling out the second-year player for special praise when probed about his offseason standouts.
This is a positive sign. But the hard work is just beginning.
Medrano has to keep this up when things get more difficult at training camp. The Commanders would be wise to get a lot of work into him during the preseason, which will provide useful insight into how far along he is. After that, there's nothing he can do but hope.
The Commanders saw something in Medrano that others didn't, taking him in the sixth round last year. His athleticism is off the charts, but his positional sense and tackling technique need significant refinement. Unless improvements arrive in these key areas, he will remain on the fringes.
Daronte Jones' defensive scheme preaches versatility, explosiveness, aggression, and instincts. Medrano has those traits, and he's leaving a positive mark on his new coordinator. Whether this comes with reps on the defensive rotation remains to be seen, but he promises to be an integral special-teams force if he makes the 53-man roster.
That's to be determined. But Medrano finally has Quinn's attention.
Medrano was an afterthought last year, basically redshirting his rookie season aside from 133 special-teams snaps. It's all part of the learning curve, and being around the setup will have done a great deal for his confidence. Now, it's about taking the next step as competition for places increases. Though it's still early days, it's brought a positive response.
Quinn still thinks there is significant upside for Medrano's long-term outlook. It might come to nothing, but his athletic profile certainly fits what Jones wants for this defense moving forward.
Let's see if Medrano can keep it up. If he can, the second-level presence will be hard to ignore.
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