Latest news with #JoshConerly
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Inside Ranking Commanders' Top Five Young Prospects for Stardom
Inside Ranking Commanders' Top Five Young Prospects for Stardom originally appeared on Athlon Sports. There is a big difference between how the NFL handles its young prospects and other leagues like the NHL or MLB. Both baseball and hockey have minor leagues, developmental leagues, in which their young players can learn the game at their own pace. Advertisement The NFL doesn't afford itself or its prospects that luxury. In this league, either the young prospects show something almost immediately, or they don't end up playing at all. And the next thing you know, they're in the UFL or the CFL. Or they become doctors or Uber drivers or lawyers or shoe salesmen. In baseball and hockey, it's common for each team to have a ranking of its minor-legue prospects. Let's do the same exercise here as we'll rank Washington's top prospects under the age of 25, similar to how baseball or hockey runs their rankings. ... with the idea being all about the Commanders' top five candidates for stardom. Advertisement 5. Josh Conerly Washington's first-round pick from the 2025 draft is a tackle who should be the future anchor of the entire offensive line. The Oregon prospect is raw but has the potential to be very good, wherever he ends up playing. 4. Jer'Zhan Newton Newton was one of multiple second-round picks from the 2024 draft and is about to see a significant increase in playing time following the offseason departure of Jonathan Allen. His rank could increase with a big year ahead. 3. Quan Martin Martin has been an underrated player in Washington's secondary, but continues to improve as one of the brightest safeties in the game. Another year in coach Dan Quinn's scheme could do wonders. 2. Mike Sainristil Sainristil was another player who stood out in his rookie season with Washington. ... almost in a Jayden Daniels-level way. The Michigan product will only get better in a division full of receiving stars as he will take on their challenge and we bet win his share. Advertisement 1. Jayden Daniels There isn't any other viable answer other than Daniels for the No. 1 slot. While he turns 25 in December, Washington's signal-caller is one of the bright young stars - yes, he's already there - in the league today. So in Jayden's case, this is about more than an ascent toward "stardom.'' Let's call it "superstardom.'' Related: Giants' Malik Nabers Talks 'Smack' About Commanders Instant Rivalry Related: Commanders Urged to Sign Three-Time Pro Bowler to Add To Dan Quinn's Defense This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Commanders Star Laremy Tunsil Oozes Excitement About Teammates
Commanders Star Laremy Tunsil Oozes Excitement About Teammates originally appeared on Athlon Sports. In a single offseason, the Washington Commanders have built a sturdy foundation for the present and the future of their offensive line. Advertisement Last offseason, Washington was content with rookie Brandon Coleman playing left tackle, but when fellow rookie star Jayden Daniels was forced to scramble for his life all season, reinforcements were brought in. Acquiring perennial Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil to start at LT could become the Commanders' most worthwhile investment for the immediate future. He's among the best in the game when healthy, and will help anchor a protection filled with youth. Adding to that young core, Washington goes back to to O-line well in this year's draft, picking Josh Conerly Jr. late in Round 1. All three of these pieces are expected to start (Coleman at left guard and Conerly at right tackle), and the Commanders got their first glimpses of the unit this past week at mandatory minicamp. Advertisement Of his outlook on the group? Tunsil kept it simple: "Dogs." "You know who I'm really impressed with, though?" Tunsil said to reporters in his first time in front of the Washington media. "JC (Conerly). JC is gonna be a dawg, and I'm not just saying that to blow smoke up his (expletive). JC is gonna be a dawg, man. I can't wait to see it. "Just the way he moves," Tunsil added. "The way he bends, athletic, smart, very intelligent. I think he's got all the tools to be a damn good player in this league." It will be up to Tunsil, who is entering his 10th season in the NFL, to spearhead the line's development as a leader, but with this endorsement, Commanders fans should feel much more confident in their QB protection than they did last year. Advertisement Tunsil was acquired in a trade with the Houston Texans for a haul of draft picks this year and next. It forced Washington to have a small draft class in 2025, but Conerly projects as a plug-and-play prospect right away. Conerly comes by way of Oregon. The 6-5, 310-pounder started every game last season at left tackle, so moving to the right side could result in a slow adjustment. For the future? He is shaping up to take the reins at LT whenever Tunsil hangs them up. Coleman returns for his sophomore season after a decent rookie season at LT, grading 64.1 by PFF. It shouldn't be as much of an adjustment shifting inside to guard, but his frame will fit in nicely to form a wall next to Tunsil. The other spots are predicted to be filled in by center Tyler Biadasz and right guard Sam Cosmi. Advertisement Related: 'Additional Help' Reason For Commanders' Super Bowl Optimism Related: Dan Quinn Thrilled With Commanders' Mindset This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Commanders New Tackle Speaks Out on First Rounder
Commanders New Tackle Speaks Out on First Rounder originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Laremy Tunsil has been a member of some good offensive lines. He's also been a part of some of the worst ones in recent memory. Advertisement The five-time Pro Bowl tackle has remained one of the more consistent players in his position. Now, as a member of the Washington Commanders, Tunsil's goal is simple. He wants to continue playing at a high level and anchor an offensive line on a unit that is looking to reach the Super Bowl in 2025. Part of that also means helping to teach Washington's first-round rookie tackle moving forward. Washington drafted Oregon right tackle Josh Conerly Jr. with the 29th pick in April's selection process. Conerly is expected to compete right away for a role on the right side of the line. Through minicamp, the young tackle has impressed the veteran. Advertisement "You know who I'm really impressed with, though? JC [Conerly]," Tunsil said after Thursday's minicamp practice. "JC's gonna be a dog, and I'm not just saying that just to blow smoke up his (expletive). "I can't wait to see it." Washington has one of the best young quarterbacks in the game today. Jayden Daniels' work last season was remarkable, considering how his offensive line was struggling. It's why the Commanders addressed the position group this offseason. If Tunsil and Conerly can be impactful right away, the Commanders should be able to be one of the best offenses in the league. Arming Daniels with an elite supporting cast is the key to winning a Super Bowl, and Washington got at least two steps closer up front this spring. Advertisement Related: Hall of Fame Receiver Demands Commanders Pay Terry McLaurin Related: Commanders Rival Gives Love To Jayden Daniels This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Commanders sign first-round pick Josh Conerly Jr. to fully guaranteed deal
When the Washington Commanders open training camp in July, rookie offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. will be there. On Friday, the No. 29 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft signed his rookie contract, a four-year deal worth $15.68 million. The contract is fully guaranteed. Conerly played three seasons at Oregon and was the Ducks' left tackle over the last two seasons. In those two seasons, Conerly allowed only two sacks in over 1,000 pass blocking snaps. He's expected to start at right tackle, but could also be Washington's left guard. The Commanders acquired five-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil to play the left side. Advertisement Conerly will likely compete with last year's starting right tackle, Andrew Wylie, and last year's left tackle, Brandon Coleman, to start on the right side. Coleman and Wylie can also play guard, and Washington could shift Wylie to right guard until Sam Cosmi returns from knee surgery. Conerly's signing means four of the Commanders' five draft picks are under contract. Only second-round cornerback Trey Amos remains unsigned. This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders sign rookie OT Josh Conerly to fully guaranteed deal
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Commanders Top Pick Non-'Red Flag' Injury Issue Revealed
The Washington Commanders turned heads with their first pick of the 2025 Draft with the selection of Josh Conerly out of Oregon. And in the second round, they did it again. That's when they focused on one of the top available players left in the draft. ... with many surprised that Trey Amos was still available. Advertisement And now maybe we know why. Washington drafted Ole Miss cornerback Amos with the 61st overall pick in the second round of the 2025 Draft. Amos was the top cornerback left on the draft board and joins a secondary room with Marshon Lattimore and Mike Sainristil. But why did he slide? Writes ESPN, "One aspect that might have hurt his value slightly: Multiple teams discovered a back injury in the predraft process. This wasn't a major red flag for some teams, but it was at least a mild concern that 'probably caused him to slide a bit,' as one AFC exec said. "However, people around Amos and the Commanders did not seem overly concerned by it.'' Advertisement It seems that while the public didn't know about the issue, the 32 NFL teams did. In the end, can Amos play? "He can get a little lost at the top of the route and needs occasional safety nets over the top. He has twitchy feet to close and sees the action clearly from zone but can be hampered by indecisiveness, despite favorable instincts. Amos uses physicality and length to shrink the 50/50 odds in his favor," media scout Lance Zuerlein said of Amos. "He can play in multiple coverage but is most consistent in zone. Amos needs to ramp up his run support and trust his eyes in space, but he has the goods to become a solid starting outside corner." Advertisement Washington's secondary made incremental improvements last season under Dan Quinn's coaching. They are hoping an infusion of talent in the secondary will help tremendously. Amos should help instantly on the roster, with tremendous value going to the Commanders. ... as long as he's healthy. Related: Washington Commanders Prediction Bad News for Jayden Daniels Fans Related: Commanders 'Easy Pick' To Protect Star Quarterback Jayden Daniels
