For the Washington Commanders in 2024, the performance of the defense will be critical to their success. Here’s a breakdown of the best- and worst-case scenarios for key defensive players:
### **Defensive Line:**
#### **Chase Young (DE)**
– **Best-case scenario:** Young returns to his 2020 Defensive Rookie of the Year form, overcoming injury issues that have hampered his career. He becomes a dominant pass-rusher, totaling double-digit sacks and providing consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks, which transforms the Commanders’ defense into one of the league’s best.
– **Worst-case scenario:** Injuries continue to plague him, and he struggles to regain his previous explosiveness. Inconsistent production and missed games could lead to the Commanders parting ways with him after the season.
#### **Montez Sweat (DE)**
– **Best-case scenario:** Sweat emerges as one of the top edge rushers in the NFL, compiling career-high sack numbers and being a disruptive force in the backfield. His performance makes the Commanders’ decision to extend him long-term an easy one.
– **Worst-case scenario:** Despite his talent, Sweat fails to develop into an elite player and struggles to take advantage of favorable matchups created by his talented line-mates. His inconsistent play leaves the Commanders questioning his future with the team.
#### **Jonathan Allen (DT)**
– **Best-case scenario:** Allen continues to be a dominant interior presence, making life difficult for opposing offenses. He’s a force against both the run and the pass, earning Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors while anchoring the defensive line.
– **Worst-case scenario:** While still solid, Allen’s production drops slightly, and he has difficulty replicating his previous level of play due to lingering injuries or a changing scheme that doesn’t maximize his talents.
#### **Daron Payne (DT)**
– **Best-case scenario:** After signing a lucrative extension, Payne continues to be an absolute wrecking ball in the middle. He consistently collapses the pocket, helps in run-stopping, and even records a few interceptions off tipped passes.
– **Worst-case scenario:** Payne regresses following his big contract, struggling to match his breakout 2022 season. His play becomes inconsistent, leading to questions about the Commanders’ investment in him.
### **Linebackers:**
#### **Jamin Davis (LB)**
– **Best-case scenario:** Davis becomes the athletic, sideline-to-sideline playmaker the Commanders envisioned when they drafted him in the first round. He improves in pass coverage and becomes a key piece of the defense, solidifying the linebacker corps.
– **Worst-case scenario:** Davis continues to struggle with his reads and positioning, failing to live up to his first-round status. He remains a liability in coverage, forcing the Commanders to consider moving on or shifting him to a lesser role.
### **Secondary:**
#### **Kendall Fuller (CB)**
– **Best-case scenario:** Fuller plays with great consistency, locking down opposing wide receivers and proving himself as a true No. 1 cornerback. His ability to take away top targets significantly improves the Commanders’ pass defense.
– **Worst-case scenario:** Fuller’s play declines as he struggles with age or nagging injuries. He has difficulty keeping up with faster receivers and becomes a liability in the secondary.
#### **Benjamin St-Juste (CB)**
– **Best-case scenario:** St-Juste takes a big step forward, emerging as a reliable starting corner opposite Fuller. He uses his size and physicality to frustrate receivers and improves his ball skills, leading to multiple interceptions.
– **Worst-case scenario:** St-Juste’s development stalls, and he fails to improve his technique. He gets burned too often and becomes a weak spot in the Commanders’ secondary.
#### **Kamren Curl (S)**
– **Best-case scenario:** Curl continues to be one of the most versatile and underappreciated safeties in the league. His instincts and tackling ability make him a cornerstone of the Commanders’ secondary, and he earns Pro Bowl recognition.
– **Worst-case scenario:** Injuries or poor play diminish his impact, and Curl struggles to maintain consistency. Without him playing at a high level, the secondary suffers, particularly in covering tight ends and supporting the run.
### **Darrick Forrest (S)**
– **Best-case scenario:** Forrest solidifies his role as a starting safety, making big plays in the passing game and proving to be a reliable tackler. His growth helps the Commanders shore up the deep part of their defense.
– **Worst-case scenario:** Forrest fails to maintain consistency, and his play regresses, forcing the team to consider other options at safety.
In sum, the Commanders’ defensive success in 2024 hinges on players like Chase Young and Jamin Davis fulfilling their potential, while veterans like Jonathan Allen and Kendall Fuller maintain high performance levels.
