Commanders Upgrade at CB, But Still Room for Improvement

After one week of free agency the Washington Commanders brought in two new cornerbacks to help bolster an otherwise suspect group.

Washington Commanders cornerback Benjamin St-Juste was installed as the team's slot defender during training camp and the early part of the 2022 NFL Season under the tutelage of defensive backs coach Chris Harris.

We wouldn't say it was a resounding success for St-Juste and the Commanders, but it wasn't a total failure either unlike William Jackson III who was trusted to man the outside with fellow cornerback Kendall Fuller opposite of him.

Subsequently, Washington benched and traded Jackson and St-Juste moved outside where he showed tremendous growth in just his second year as a pro despite being shifted around. Naturally, when 2023 opened, the Commanders tried yet again to move St-Juste inside after bringing in first-round cornerback Emmanuel Forbes.

New Washington Commanders cornerbacks Michael Davis (left) and Noah Igbinoghene (center) are improvements to the overall group, but a prospect like Michigan's Mike Sainristil (left) could make it even better / USA Today

While we could go on for days about the coaching missteps and constant shuffling of St-Juste specifically and how it may have stunted his growth - especially with Harris departing for the Tennessee Titans after 2022 - but this is about looking forward, not backward.

As we do that, it's hard to say the cornerback group is better now than it was at the end of last season with complete assurance, but it's certainly better than it was looking before the first week of free agency due to the addition of veteran free agents Michael Davis and Noah Igbinoghene.

CORNERBACK CONTENDERS

Given how last season unfolded we'd find it hard to peg down either St-Juste or Forbes as an automatic starter.

That being said, Igbinoghene could certainly lend some special teams contributions but is doubtful to overtake either of the two incumbents for a potential starting role.

He's also got limited slot experience, so that isn't likely either.

Davis, on the other hand, may be able to push one or even both down the depth chart if he can stay healthy and deliver on some solid tape from his days with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Many back West will agree that 2023 wasn't his banner season, that was 2022, but even in a 'down year' there's a physicality, fluidity, and level of comfort in both man and zone that you see in Davis' film that simply didn't present itself as often in Washington last year.

There's the occasional business decision in his run tape - like not throwing his head into the B-Gap with former Titans running back Derrick Henry barreling through it - but there's also impressive play recognition and individual strength that contained a potential big gainer by Henry's former teammate Tajae Spears into just a one-yard gain.

Then there's the quick-break ability and football intelligence that turned a bad throw by former Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson into an interception deep in opponent territory.

WORK TO BE DONE

If training camp started today we'd venture to say, Davis, St-Juste, and Forbes were likely to compete for the two starting outside positions with the first names listed having the edge entering the challenge.

But training camp is still months away, and future NFL rookies like T.J. Tampa (Iowa State, Early 2nd Round) and Khyree Jackson (Oregon, Day 2) could be added to challenge for a spot as well.

Of course, free agency is never finished truly, so the Commanders could still add other names to the ring and Day 3 draft prospects like Arkansas' Dwight McGlothern are just itching for a chance to prove someone wrong - or right - about them.

What we don't see right now is a clear answer in the slot and free safety positions as second-year defensive back Quan Martin figures to be the best answer at both, but obviously can't play both.

So a Day 2 prospect like Michigan's Mike Sainristil is an attractive option if he's still on the board when Washington gets to make a selection.

Commanders Interested in McCarthy for No. 2 Pick?

There have been those who felt St-Juste may work as an NFL free safety, and selecting a perimeter corner to join Davis and Forbes in training camp competition could open the door to that move while freeing up Martin to focus on slot responsibilities.

Flexibility is an NFL general manager's best friend on draft weekend and Adam Peters certainly has plenty in regards to his cornerback room at this point. 

Because this group - as solid as the additions appear - looks to be as fluid a situation as there is on the Commanders' roster.