The Washington Commanders’ cornerback room was in flux for much of last season. With an offseason of recovery and development, and the addition of a second-round pick, the position has a new look entering this year.
Week 1 starters from 2024, Benjamin St-Juste and Emmanuel Forbes — both no longer with the team — were benched midseason. Michael Davis and Noah Igbinoghene filled in for them for a few games, while rookie Mike Sainristil, whose ball skills and size are more suited for playing in the slot, had to be moved outside.
Washington hoped its midseason trade for Marshon Lattimore would revitalize the secondary, but a lingering hamstring injury delayed the four-time Pro Bowler’s return. In the five games Lattimore did play, he was inconsistent and looked unlike his usual self.
Though the Commanders’ secondary was statistically one of the better units in the league, allowing the fourth-fewest passing yards and the 15th-fewest touchdowns through the air, a lot of that success came because of the team’s abysmal run defense; why would teams pass the ball when they could continue to run it down Washington’s throat?
The cornerback position was in need of an upgrade in the offseason, and Washington opted to bolster it through the draft and free agency.
The Commanders drafted Trey Amos with the No. 61 overall pick and signed veteran cornerback Jonathan Jones. Amos has already received rave reviews and, according to Washington’s first unofficial depth chart, is slated to start across from Lattimore.
After a shaky 2024 season, this year cornerback could be one of Washington’s stronger positions.
Marshon Lattimore (29 years old, Year 9)
At the time Washington acquired Lattimore, his health was a concern. He missed 17 games over the previous two seasons and was nursing an injury that forced him to miss games in New Orleans.
That injury seemed to nag Lattimore, especially in his matchups against Mike Evans and A.J. Brown. Washington acquired Lattimore for their end-of-season run to be a lockdown outside corner who could cover more physical receivers well, but he failed to do so.
Now, after months of recovery, the Ohio State product said he feels healthy.
“I feel way better than last year,” Lattimore said. “I feel explosive.”
He added that he felt physically “timid” last season and came out of his breaks slower than normal.
Washington hopes Lattimore can return to form and live up to the expectations of being CB1.
Trey Amos (23 years old, Rookie)
Amos might be the story of training camp for Washington. He well could be the team’s most immediately productive rookie.
He has especially shined over the past week. Amos had an interception and a pass defended in practice on Monday. In Washington’s first preseason game against the New England Patriots, Amos covered a deep fade route well and helped stuff a run play for no gain.
ESPN Commanders beat reporter John Keim tabbed Amos as his “standout performer of camp,” and coaches have echoed that sentiment. The former Louisiana, Alabama, and Ole Miss attendee is listed at 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, and ran a 4.43 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.
That length and athleticism should allow Washington to play more man coverage, where Amos thrives, and should place the rookie across from Lattimore from Week 1.
Mike Sainristil (24 years old, Year 2)
With the addition of Amos on the outside, Washington can move Sainristil back inside to his natural position. Even while playing somewhat out of position as a rookie, Sainristil garnered Defensive Rookie of the Year votes and established himself as a key piece of the Commanders’ young core.
The value of solid slot corners has skyrocketed in recent years, alongside the rise of versatile receivers who can play both outside and inside. This makes Sainristil’s development in year two even more intriguing.
Sainristil played his first three years at Michigan as a wide receiver before transitioning to cornerback. As a fifth-year senior, he notched six interceptions and a Big Ten-leading two pick-sixes.
Though he notched two picks in his first year in the NFL, expect that number to go up in his sophomore season. Sainristil has great hands and he’ll see plenty of targets come his way in the slot.
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