Who has impressed you from the Commanders’ rookie class?
Previously we broke down both team’s offense and defense for the upcoming game between the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Commanders. Now we dive back into the position battleground, this time looking at how some of each team’s rookie class stack up against each other. (Grades for each player are the overall offensive or defensive grade handed out by PFF.com)
Dallas Cowboys
Tyler Guyton
First Round
Tyler Guyton will start at left tackle where he has his work cut out keeping this effective Washington pass rush at bay. Trying to slow Dante Fowler Jr. down and the rest of the Commanders pass rush is key this week to help Cooper Rush find any sort of rhythm.
Grade: 55.2
Marshawn Kneeland
Second Round
On injured reserve (has been designated to return to practice this week)
Grade: 54.7
Cooper Beebe
Third Round
Beebe gets the better deal here this week as the Commanders pressure comes nearly exclusively from around the edge. Where he will need to take a pivotal role is in the run game. If Beebe can get some push and break into the second level then that exposes this Commanders defense which has struggled to defend the run, particularly down the middle. Grade: 62.0
Marist Liufau
Third Round
Liufau took a healthy amount of snaps last week, the trouble is he only came away with three tackles for all his efforts. It’s unfair to completely write Liufau off or call him a bust as he has to contend with a defensive line that is offering him very little assistance. But you can see his lack of instincts in the run game which can leave him with a lot of work to do to get back in position.
Grade: 42.2
Caelen Carson
Fifth Round
Carson was left out the lineup last week on defense. He’s had some monumental struggles the past two weeks, allowing 13 receptions off 15 targets for over 200 receiving yards. With Bland coming back, Carson will remain on special team duties.
Grade: 39.7
Ryan Flournoy
Sixth Round
Flournoy got to start last week and played on 54 snaps on offense. He was targeted four times and had 19 yards off two catches, one going for a first down. The number of targets for the teams WR3 on a day where Rush threw over 60 times is concerning for Flournoy, but on the flip side of that statement is that everything looks concerning on this Cowboys offense.
Grade: 60.4
Brevyn Spann-Ford
UDFA
With Jake Ferguson missing for half the game (and this week’s game), Spann-Ford took on the extra workload and played on 42 snaps, which was a career high for him. He had 42 yards off four receptions but what was quite interesting was his pass blocking. He had a number of very good blocks, something no doubt this coaching staff would have noticed.
Grade: 56.8
Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images
Washington Commanders
Jayden Daniels
First Round
Daniels has performed the best among all this year’s rookie quarterbacks and his dual-threat abilities have served him well this season. He has slowed down recently, whether that’s hitting the rookie wall, injury, or defenses figuring out his game style. But Daniels has set a solid foundation and has played with good decision-making, accuracy and has the right amount of swagger to be a solid player at the position for years to come. Consistency is now key for him.
Grade: 85.8
Jer’Zhan Newton
Second Round
“Jonny” Newton was a player that some people hoped would have been called up by Dallas, but that moment never come. So far this season Newton has struggled to find that highly aggressive and athletic form he flashed at Illinois. He has only one sack to his name and a dozen pressures, with 26 tackles in ten games this year.
Grade: 44.0
Mike Sainristil
Second Round
The Michigan cornerback has been starting for the Commanders secondary all over the place this year. Being moved around so much has probably been a factor in his inconsistent play this year. He’s allowed a 65% completion rate, three touchdowns and has a passer rating allowed of 96.9. The secondary for Washington follows this theme as well by best being called inconsistent.
Grade: 68.0
Ben Sinnott
Second Round
Sinnott serves as Washington’s TE3 and has made three receptions this year, one for a touchdown. He’s mostly utilized as an extra run blocker on plays and the Commanders offensive line needs the extra help in run blocking as they aren’t the best.
Grade: 55.1
Brandon Coleman
Third Round
Coleman has been playing as the team’s starting left tackle since Week 5. He’s done a pretty good so far and allowed one sack and 18 pressures off 211 passing sets. Although as previously mentioned the Commanders run blocking has been substandard this year, Coleman has been one of the better players on the offensive line in that department.
Grade: 60.7
Luke McCaffrey
Third Round
The younger brother of Christian McCaffrey has played a fairly significant role on this Washington offense. Terry McLaurin will get the majority of targets, and rightly so, so scooping up any extra targets from him is a tough job. McCaffrey has made 13 receptions for 134 yards and has yet to score.
Grade: 54.3
Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images