Ahkello Witherspoon - Commanders CB
The Washington Commanders' cornerback dynamic is interesting. Fans are concerned there aren't enough quality options in the room, but some interesting wrinkles during OTAs suggest defensive coordinator Daronte Jones may have something else up his sleeve.
According to reports from those in attendance, Jones has been deploying Quan Martin and Tyler Owens as the big nickel options. They are physically capable of handling these responsibilities. The 2023 second-round pick shone in the slot as a rookie before moving to the back end, which didn't go nearly as well.
Mike Sainristil and Trey Amos are the outside tandem. Amik Robertson is setting the tone through his leadership, challenging his teammates to raise their performance. Ahkello Witherspoon was also acquired in free agency, but he's already got his work cut out if early impressions are any indication.
Witherspoon has talent. He's got the size and length to potentially be impactful, but staying healthy has been a real problem for the Colorado product throughout his career. The Commanders still believe he has something to offer, and Adam Peters knows him well from their time together on the San Francisco 49ers.
There is a long way to go, but if Washington moves either Martin or Owens into the slot permanently, Witherspoon's task gets much more difficult.
Jordan Magee - Commanders LB
The Commanders' linebacking corps could go from a weak link to an area of strength next season. Bobby Wagner has many good qualities, but it was clear to all that a fresh injection of energy was needed to fortify the defensive second level within Daronte Jones' schematic concepts.
Adam Peters recognized this, too. Wagner didn't get another contract in free agency, signaling the end of his two-year stint with the franchise. The Commanders signed Leo Chenal and spent the No. 7 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on Sonny Styles, who's made an instant impression on almost everyone within the building.
Frankie Luvu is leading the charge as Jones moves him back to an off-ball role with the green dot, making him the new defensive play-caller for now. All three have shone over OTAs so far, but not much has been said of Jordan Magee.
While the Commanders have faith in Magee, he remains something of an unknown quantity in Year 3 of his professional career. Some team insiders are struggling to figure out where he fits into the team's plans, which is understandable. He's got the physical tools, but putting it all together consistently is the only way he'll take the next step.
Magee has special-teams value, if nothing else. But he is behind the aforementioned trio in the pecking order right now.
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