The Washington Commanders wrapped up their first week of training camp practice Saturday in front of 10,000 screaming fans in Ashburn. Yes, you read that correctly; there were 10,000 fans in attendance, and the players loved every second of it.
It was a hot first week of practice for the Commanders, but every other NFL team was likely facing the same situation. In four days, we’ve seen plenty of 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 action, but the pads haven’t gone on yet. That all changes this week.
It’s sometimes tough to determine which players stand out in the early days of camp, specifically at certain positions. Quarterback Sam Howell had many positive moments in the first few days of camp. However, Howell and the other quarterbacks struggled against Washington’s defense Saturday.
So, which players made the most noise in the first week? We name six standouts for various reasons.
DE Chase Young
This one is obvious. No, there were no pads, but from the moment we first saw Young without the knee brace on Wednesday, it was clear he looked like he was back. Young was cutting, his get-off was explosive and gave left tackle Charles Leno Jr. fits at times throughout practice.
Watch Young closely on the right side of the screen here:
https://t.co/IVVuqWKOL0 pic.twitter.com/Ogl1o29620
— Bleeding Burgundy & Gold (@BleedinBnG) July 27, 2023
Young showed off some different moves, and he was using his hands well. Additionally, Young was happy mingling with fans and he remains one of the franchise’s most popular players.
WR Dyami Brown
This is year three for Dyami Brown, and he’s now catching passes from his college quarterback, Sam Howell. Brown stood out all week. He seemingly made plays every day. While he and Howell have a special chemistry, he also hooked up with Jacoby Brissett for a big play last week.
Really nice play from Dyami Brown near the red zone. Howell had to scramble around before fitting the pass in a tight window to Brown in the corner of the end zone. Looked like he was in bounds, but Wildgoose insists that he was out #HTTC
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) July 27, 2023
Brown is fourth on the depth chart right now. But he’s impressing everyone this summer, and he could be a big-time weapon for the Commanders in 2023.
WR Kazmeir Allen
Undrafted rookie Kazmeir Allen hasn’t stood out to the level of Brown or Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson, but he has flashed. And when you’re a 5-foot-8, 176-pound undrafted rookie, the more times you stand out, the better your chances are of sticking on the 53-man roster. Allen needs to continue to make plays, and the preseason games are where he will make the roster — or not. There is some serious competition for probably two roster spots at wide receiver. Allen is battling Marcus Kemp, Byron Pringle, Dax Milne, Mitchell Tinsley and Kyric McGowan for the final spots at wide receiver.
Really nice run after the catch from Kazmeir Allen. Made the first defender miss and sprinted through the middle of the defense #HTTC
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) July 28, 2023
TE Logan Thomas
Every young quarterback loves a reliable tight end. Thomas is all the way back from his Dec. 2021 knee injury, and he looks more explosive than he did at any point in 2022. Thomas and Howell have connected often throughout camp. If Thomas can remain healthy, he could have a nice bounce-back season. Like Young, Thomas also got rid of the knee brace he wore last season.
and we are back pic.twitter.com/cnlCkmsQ4T
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) July 26, 2023
RB Brian Robinson Jr.
Running back is one of those positions, like the offensive line, where judging a player’s performance without pads is tough. However, Robinson looks leaner and faster, and he’s making an impact in the passing game early in camp. He had one big play that stood out last week. Robinson made it clear he wants to be more than a “one-dimensional” running back.
Remember, Robinson was shot twice in the leg in late August last year, so he was never really himself physically as a rookie and still delivered. Fans should be excited about Robinson.
The secondary
Yes, this is more than one player, meaning there are more than six standouts. But the secondary has had a good week. Rookie cornerback Emmanuel Forbes’ interception was one of the early highlights of camp. Fellow rookie Quan Martin impressed the first few days of camp. Martin just looks ready for any role he’s presented come Week 1.
Percy Butler has been active, too. The second-year safety could follow the same trajectory as last year’s second-year safety, Darrick Forrest Jr., who had a breakout season. And finally, there is third-year cornerback Benjamin St-Juste. The 6-foot-3 St-Juste is poised to take another step forward in 2023. He was much improved last season, but an injury in Week 11 ruined his season. St-Juste quietly continues to get better and is standing out early in camp.
And we haven’t really touched on Kendall Fuller, Kamren Curl, or Forrest. What a group this unit could be in 2023.
