Washington Commanders OTAs: Three Things to Watch Under New Coach Dan Quinn

The Washington Commanders meet as a team for the first time in the Dan Quinn era as they begin OTAs.

Feb 27, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Washington Commanders coach Dan Quinn during the NFL Scouting Combine. / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Phase one of organized team activities is officially underway for the Washington Commanders. 

Washington and teams that hired a new head coach this offseason began OTAs on Tuesday. With the teams being in phase one, the only activities taking place are meetings, and they won’t do any live 7-on-7 or 11-on-11 drills until OTAs officially begin on May 15.

While on field activities aren’t taking place until the end of the month, there are still some things that’ll be worth monitoring once that time comes. Here are three things to watch for the Commanders during OTAs. 

Feb 27, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Washington Commanders coach Dan Quinn during the NFL Scouting Combine. / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

How does the offensive line look?

If the Commanders choose to take a quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick, protecting that investment is among the top priorities next season. 

Washington’s offensive line was one of the worst in football, allowing the second most in the league (65) last season. The Commanders have invested in the unit this offseason by signing center Tyler Biadasz and guard Nick Allegretti, though, they’ve lost left tackle Charles Leno Jr. and center Nick Gates. 

Cornelius Lucas figures to step in at left tackle for the time being after being a swing tackle last season. Braeden Daniels started all over the offensive line at Utah, and Ricky Stromberg could also vie for a spot on the interior of the offensive line in their second. Andrew Wylie and Sam Cosmi will also be in the mix, and you can’t rule out Washington drafting an offensive lineman or multiple linemen early in the draft.

Regardless of the five who get the first crack, the Commanders' ability to grow on offense and potentially set up a rookie quarterback for success will depend on the improvement of the offensive line.

Where does Frankie Luvu play?

An imperative part of Quinn's defense, when he was the Dallas Cowboys' defensive coordinator, was linebacker Micah Parsons and his versatility. Parsons was able to line up at linebacker and was one of the NFL's best pass rushers for Quinn and the Cowboys' defense.

While Washington doesn't have a player of Parsons' caliber, newly-signed linebacker Frankie Luvu could replicate the role of the All-Pro defensive player. In his first season seeing significant playing time for the Carolina Panthers in 2022, he had 111 tackles, including 19 for a loss and seven sacks. Last season, he had 125 tackles, 10 for a loss and 5.5 sacks.

Luvu's versatility will be a weapon for Quinn and one would figure he'll be used similarly to Parsons. And for a Commanders defense that was dead last in points and yards allowed per game, it's safe to assume he'll be asked to be a jack of all trades.

Who emerges at safety?

Of all the positions Washington addressed on defense in free agency, safety was the least invested in.

Former Panthers safety Jeremy Chinn was the only signing the Commanders made at the position. Washington also lost former safety Kam Curl in free agency after he signed a two-year with the Los Angeles Rams.

After tallying over 100 tackles in each of his first two seasons, Chinn struggled to stay healthy, only playing 23 games over the last two years.

Letting Curl walk in free agency and only signing Chinn could point to the franchise's belief in 2023 second-round pick Quan Martin. Martin had 46 tackles and two interceptions in his rookie season.

Similarly to Luvu, Washington will likely need Chinn and Martin to do everything to improve a defense that allowed an average of over 30 points per game. While drafting another safety wouldn't be out of the question, Chinn or Martin figure to play an important role if the Commanders defense are going to turn things around next season.