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Daily Slop – 26 May 24 – PFF: “Commanders have done everything right this offseason”

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A collection of articles, podcasts & tweets from around the web to keep you in touch with the Commanders, the NFC East and the NFL in general

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Brian Baldinger is a big fan of Commanders CB Mike Sainristil

Former NFL player and current analyst Brian Baldinger also happens to be a big Sainristil fan.

“I thought he was the best slot corner in this draft of the guys that played that as their position in college,” Baldinger said in an appearance on the “Sports Junkies” on 106.7 The Fan via Lou DiPietro of Audacy.

“I thought he was a really talented player on a great team who covered a lot of ground, did what you had to do in coverage or blitzing. Just a good, aggressive tackler and a guy you can plug and play.”

Baldinger also said Sainristil was one of the draft’s better picks in a good draft.

As an analyst, Baldy saw plenty of Washington last season. Even if he didn’t call Commanders’ games, he watched film of every team, every week, and he realized what Washington fans knew all too well: The secondary stunk.

Baldinger believes Sainristil and veteran free agent Michael Davis will improve the 2024 secondary.

“Michael Davis has had good moments with the Chargers, and this was the worst secondary in football, so Sainristil and Davis are definitely upgrades,” Baldinger said. “When your safeties don’t tackle well and blow coverages, you give up full-on touchdowns, and that’s what happened last year.”

Pro Football Focus

Every NFL team’s top three players entering the 2024 season


Quarterback play has held Terry McLaurin back from truly being a consistent star, and even then he passed the 1,000-yard receiving mark for the fourth straight season.

Jonathan Allen earned the lowest season grade of his career (60.5), but it was a clear outlier. The last spot goes to one of the Commanders’ many new guys: Frankie Luvu. Luvu is coming off three strong seasons in Carolina, especially as a blitzer.

Also Considered: DI Daron Payne, T Sam Cosmi

Riggo’s Rag

5 Commanders players who are already turning heads at 2024 OTAs

These Commanders have caught the eye for differing reasons over OTAs.

Zach Ertz – Commanders TE

Despite putting together a highly productive playing career, Zach Ertz came into the Washington Commanders this offseason with a point to prove.

He was cast aside by the Arizona Cardinals midway through the 2023 campaign and failed to find another suitor until the postseason when the Detroit Lions brought him in as an insurance policy behind rookie Sam LaPorta. Many wondered if this would be the end of Ertz’s professional journey, but Kliff Kingsbury feels there is still more to give.

Washington’s new offensive coordinator likely banged the table hard for Ertz. Kingsbury’s worked with the player previously during their time together in Arizona. They developed a solid relationship and the tight end featured heavily within his offensive scheme with great success attached.

That said, some questioned whether Ertz was deserving of another opportunity to be a legitimate No. 1 tight end at this late stage of his playing days. Looking at the start he’s made during OTAs, this could end up being a shrewd piece of business by the Commanders.

Ertz looks sharp during drills and is making tough catches look routine according to those in attendance. He’s savvy enough to find soft spots in coverages and become Jayden Daniels’ best friend in no time.

Of course, he must also play the role of mentor to rookie tight end Ben Sinnott. The Kansas State product is seen as the long-term starting option after Washington took him at No. 53 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. Ertz must pass on his knowledge and ensure he’s ready to step up when the time comes.

This strong start from Ertz should alleviate some concerns about his contribution to Kingsbury’s expansive offensive system. The more dependable pass-catchers that Daniels has to call upon, the better. We are only early in the process and the pads haven’t come on yet, but the former second-round selection out of Stanford looks like someone who could make an impact next season.

Pro Football Focus

2024 offseason grades for all 32 NFL teams: Commanders, Eagles, Chiefs and Bears among teams to get As

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS: A

With new ownership, a new front office and a new coaching staff, the Commanders have done everything right this offseason.

They made a multitude of new additions, including but not limited to Zach Ertz, Dorance Armstrong, Dante Fowler Jr, Tyler Biadasz, Frankie Luvu, Austin Ekeler, Clelin Ferrell, Marcus Mariota and Jeremy Chinn. They then had a huge draft class, led by quarterback Jayden Daniels at No. 2 overall and followed by second-round steals in Johnny Newton and Mike Sainristil.

This was a home-run offseason for the Commanders to turn the page.

NFL.com

NFC East projected starters for 2024 NFL season: Did Cowboys improve? Eagles to contend again?

  • I worry Jayden Daniels isn’t positioned for success. New Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury was average at best developing an offense in Arizona. The offensive line could be among the league’s worst, and the backfield lacks big-play ability.
  • Even Daniels’ biggest asset — a true No. 1 WR in Terry McLaurin — is mitigated by the lack of depth in receiving options.
  • Jahan Dotson’s development is massive for this team. I loved his aggressiveness as a rookie, but he took a step back in Year 2. Third-round pick Luke McCaffrey, Dyami Brown and Olamide Zaccheaus are the top options to be the third receiver. Tight end is a battle between Zach Ertz and second-rounder Ben Sinnott.
  • Cornelius Lucas, an 11th-year journeyman, is the favorite to start at left tackle over rookie Brandon Coleman. This is a mostly new group without top-end talent. The best part of Kingsbury’s offenses in Arizona came in run blocking.
  • Washington will need to open holes, because Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler are chain movers rather than explosive threats. Ekeler can be a reliable third-down option. He is better suited not carrying the load at this stage of his career.
  • Dan Quinn figures to turn Washington’s defense around faster than the offense because of his schemes. I loved the Dorance Armstrong signing, although edge is still not a strength, with Dante Fowler Jr., Clelin Ferrell, and Efe Obada all options for snaps.
  • Defensive tackle remains the strength of the team. If second-round pick Jer’Zhan Newton can heal from a recent foot surgery, it wouldn’t be shocking to see the Commanders dangle Jonathan Allen in trade talks during the season.
  • Cornerback will be competitive in camp. Last year’s first-round pick Emmanuel Forbes is no lock to win the job over underrated veteran Michael Davis.
  • Linebacker Frankie Luvu, rookie slot cornerback Mike Sainristil and Newton are dogged players to build around. That’s what this year should be about in Washington: Which players will stick with the new regime?
  • Daniels proving he’s a franchise quarterback would make this season a victory regardless of record. Beyond that, there are too many roster holes to expect winning. A top-five pick is in play again.

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NFL.com

2024 NFL season: Buccaneers, Cowboys among most vulnerable reigning division champions

1B – Dallas Cowboys – NFC East · 2023 record: 12-5

This ranking should definitely be read as concern about the Cowboys’ offseason, which has been … quiet? Underwhelming? Setting aside the odd approach to Dak Prescott’s contract, the offensive line and running game have changed significantly (goodbye, Tyron Smith; welcome back, Ezekiel Elliott), and likely not for the better. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Eagles gave their offense an injection with the addition of Saquon Barkley and used their first two draft picks to rebuild the secondary, adding Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. The Eagles’ confounding second-half collapse last season opened the door for Dallas to finish with one more win and, thus, the NFC East title. Barring a repeat of that faceplant, the Cowboys figure to face a far more difficult path to repeating as the division champions.

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Pro Football Rumors

OL David Bakhtiari Receives Positive Health Update

Once one of the NFL’s premier offensive tackles, Bakhtiari’s last three-plus seasons have mostly been defined by his absences. His 2020 season ended early thanks to a torn ACL, and the lineman only returned for one game in 2021. Back to full health for the 2022 campaign, Bakhtiari was still limited to only 12 games that season. Then, this past year, the veteran got into one game before undergoing season-ending knee surgery.

The long-time Packers lineman was cut by the organization back in March. At the time, Bakhtiari made it clear that he still wanted to play in the NFL next season, but it’s been relatively quiet for the veteran through the first chunk of the offseason. This latest update may convince teams to have the 32-year-old in for a workout.

Considering the player’s track record, Bakhtiari would represent a low-risk move for a lineman-needy squad.

Pro Football Rumors

OL Billy Price Announces Retirement

Billy Price is retiring from the NFL due to health complications. The offensive lineman revealed on Instagram that he recently underwent emergency pulmonary embolism surgery to remove blood clots in his lungs. Price decided to retire because the “risk of an internal bleed while on blood thinners creates tremendous risk.”

“In the blink of an eye, everything can be taken away,” Price said in his statement. “On April 24th I had emergency pulmonary embolism surgery to remove a saddle clot that was entering both of my lungs. As a healthy 29 year old, an unprovoked pulmonary embolism with no further medical explanation is terrifying. I am truly thankful to be alive today. Unfortunately, I will be retiring from the NFL as the risk of an internal bleed while on blood thinners creates tremendous risk.

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