Commanders Core Among Worst In NFL?

The Washington Commanders' core was ranked as one of the worst in the NFL by ESPN.

Success is hard to maintain in the NFL without a good core of players. 

ESPN ranked the core for all 32 teams, and the Washington Commanders came in at No. 28. The Commanders were only ahead of the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons and Arizona Cardinals. 

The five players ESPN considered Washington's core was wide receiver Terry McLaurin, defensive tackles Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen, and defensive ends Montez Sweat and Chase Young. 

ESPN noted that Washington could have been higher, but uncertainty around quarterback Sam Howell and the position affected its ranking. 

"Uncertainty at quarterback (and therefore, the lack of one on this list) dings Washington," ESPN writes. "But this is a solid collection of players in their prime, and the case could be made for the Commanders to rank higher."

With only one start under his belt, Howell represents one of the biggest questions for Washington and throughout the NFL. Howell has been up and down throughout OTAs.  

Young represented one reason for optimism for ESPN. He was at offseason activities on Tuesday for the first time and looked healthy in individual and team drills. 

"I believe Young can still be a good player, as he posted a 19% pass rush win rate at edge as recently as 2021," ESPN writes. 

Washington has difference-makers on both sides of the ball. Whether the team takes the next step and becomes one of the better cores in football will depend on Howell or quarterback Jacoby Brissett's play. 

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