Washington Training Camp Spotlight: Week 2 Edition

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August 9, 2024

by David Earl

Jayden Daniels Looks The Part

Jayden Daniels’s progress has been exactly what you wanted to see in a number two overall pick thus far. Many of his praises have truly mirrored what scouts saw during the predraft process. Aside from his arm strength, it’s been his footwork and focus downfield, especially on the move, that have probably been the most noticeable. In college, Daniels maneuvered the pocket very well even under pressure by the rush. He continued to keep eyes downfield and was not only leveraging vision to find escape lanes for ground gains but also effectively processed the defense’s movement to make precise and accurate throws even on the run. As far as ball placement, that did not go unnoticed by his top two targets Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson, who stated, “Me and Terry were talking about it on the sidelines. He puts the ball in places that make our jobs easier, putting it where only you can get it…. special talent.”

While it is early, full contact in the coming weeks will give everyone a better gauge of where Daniels is at heading into the season. If the defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr’s reaction (ie., shaking his head) to a perfectly placed pass to Jahan Dotson after rolling away from pressure is any indication, the fans should be excited. Even with the praises of teammates, Joe Whitt Jr and Dan Quinn have been impressed by how quickly Daniels processes everything while also remaining humble. After the hard work and progression, Daniels still feels the need to earn the starting job. When asked if he will be ready to start week 1, “I still got a ways to go.”

There is much to be excited and hopeful about . I personally have had to temper my expectations since draft night. As far as starting week 1, in his column last week, Steve talked about the likelihood of Jayden Daniels starting week 1 by analyzing the trends in the NFL over the years. The one key point in this column was referencing David Carr‘s rookie campaign with the Houston Texans, in which he was sacked 76 times, which ultimately ruined Carr’s career. This is a concern many have had for Daniels behind an offensive line that has far more questions than answers. Brandon Coleman has looked good thus far at left tackle, but that doesn’t resolve the still inexperience at the left guard position and the abysmal play of Andrew Wylie at right tackle last season.  I covered more in-depth here.

Wide Receiver Competition is Tight

Entering the offseason there were truly three locks on this roster: Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, and 3rd round pick Luke McCaffrey. After that, the final 3 or 4 spots were up for grabs, with Dyami Brown being the one player who essentially would have to play himself off the roster. This means Brown just had to prove the 3rd round investment used to acquire him was worth the cost and he’s done that so far. As I’ve stated in my wide receiver breakdown, Brown had the most to prove in keeping someone like Olamide Zaccheaus from leap-frogging him on the team’s depth chart.

As Brown has looked good in camp and seems to have taken another step forward. However, it’s also been a story that Brown’s positive last two offseasons just have not translated into the regular season. While Brown has been making his case, Olamide Zaccheaus has been very consistent, and Mitchel Tinsley has looked very much improved from a year ago and some have taken notice. Scouts already knew Tinsley was a strong physical receiver with the ability to track the ball well. Now if his continued progression in his route-running technique and more fluid feet, which were his weaknesses, Tinsley can become a viable back end of the roster option.

It is more likely Washington keeps 6 wide receivers on the roster, which makes 3 available spots. If I had to guess today, Dyami Brown should maintain his position on the depth chart for now, which is different from my view a week ago. Olamide Zaccheaus and Mitchel Tinsley have been right on his heels. Jamison Crowder has been consistent but not great. As for Bryce Tremayne, the tallest of this group at 6’4″, he’ll have a steep uphill climb ahead. Special teams will be his best avenue to make the roster. This position group has been fluctuating continuously, and next week could be a complete flip in this conversation. It is a good, deep group and the competition shows just that too.

Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton Getting Ready

Cleared from his foot injury, Jer’Zhan Newton (Washington’s second-round pick) will be worked in on a “load management” schedule, according toper Dan Quinn. Newton was upset when discovering the left foot had an issue, stating “I was checking out the right foot to see if it was good and then got an X-ray on the left one, both feet at the same time. And I found out, it was like right before I got up here, but I never really felt anything,” Newton said. “I was kind of shocked, honestly. It kind of upset me.” He was projected as a top half of the first-round selection, but there was a fear he wouldn’t be ready for week 1.  Some thought that maybe addressing the offensive line would have been the wiser pick. Regardless of your position on the decision, the injury is past him and Newton looks to be on track for week 1.

Newton has been explosive and decisive in his movement and shows no ill-effects of the injury. Being counted on as a key piece in keeping both Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen fresh late into games, his impact could go much further if truly healthy. Newton is best suited as an interior defensive lineman but does have some versatility and could possibly move outside in some packages. His scouting report further discusses just how disruptive he is. Newton is very explosive after the snap. He has great hand technique when locked up on the offensive lineman, and plays with exceptional leverage. While his smaller size could become a problem against interior linemen, his speed and countermoves serve him very well in the trenches. Yes, the potential and upside are very much there. If healthy, he presents great value as a second round pick. Again, this is not to debate whether he was the right pick or not.  Rather, this is just a look at the talent Washington potentially has in Newton heading into week 1.

Will Fans Be Patient???

In closing I, found this to be interesting not because any rebuild requires patience but the word “patience” has become a triggering word for Washington fans. This time around, speaking for myself anyway, I am not nearly as bothered by this ownership and front office group wanting some patience. Clearing out the cancer that was the previous ownership and the gross mismanagement of the roster over the last 4 years, no one in their right mind should even consider this an overnight fix. The process of hiring a general manager and then allowing Adam Peters to reconstruct the staff based on his vision was unknown territory for a suffering fan base. Things like the prior ownership not meddling or making petty requests was only wishing thinking from the prior regime.  Throwing in the investment of $75 million in stadium improvements from the new owner was an added benefit. Yes, ultimately winning matters but we have to allow the new regime time to rebuild a crumbling foundation. So I will have patience – can I safely assume you will allow some grace as well?