The Washington Commanders opened the preseason on Friday with a 20-7 win over the Miami Dolphins. Most of Washington’s starters did not play, giving an opportunity to others who are battling to make the Commanders’ 53-man roster or perhaps another team’s roster.
One Washington player many felt could be on the roster bubble was fourth-year safety Quan Martin. A 2023 second-round pick, Martin is entering a critical season. After a promising 2024 season, former defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. said last summer that Martin had the potential to be one of the NFL’s best safeties. By late in the season, Whitt was demoted, and Martin’s snaps were decreased.
He received a new lease on life in January, when the Commanders hired former Vikings secondary coach Daronte Jones as the new defensive coordinator.
In Friday’s game, Martin was on the field, leading many to think he was still battling for a roster spot. Nick Cross and Jeremy Reaves received the night off, with Martin and Will Harris active. Head coach Dan Quinn said that was no big deal and could change next week. But Martin apparently received the message. He finished Friday with an interception and two tackles. He made a great run stop at one point and stayed around the ball. He earned praise from Quinn after the game.
Another former Washington second-round pick shared the field with Martin on Friday night: defensive tackle Johnny Newton. A 2024 second-round pick, the Commanders are still waiting for Newton to deliver on the potential that made him the 2023 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and the No. 36 overall pick in 2024.
Newton played 23 snaps on Friday and recorded two tackles. He was in on a key stop with defensive tackle Ricky Barber Jr. in the first quarter. Outside of that, Newton made little impact. He faced Miami’s backups, so Newton not dominating some snaps is cause for concern for the Commanders.
Could Friday’s performance have seen the fortunes change for each of these former Washington second-round picks? Maybe. It’s quite possible that neither was on the bubble when camp began. Both positions have some depth, but Martin has a chance to return to the starting lineup at free safety, opposite Nick Cross at strong safety. At worst, he could rotate snaps with Reaves.
As for Newton, he’s not currently one of Washington’s top four at his position. That’s Daron Payne, Javon Kinlaw, Tim Settle and Charles Omenihu. 2025 undrafted free agent Ricky Barber Jr. faced the same competition as Newton on Friday night and had an outstanding performance. So did recently signed veteran Byron Cowart. So if the Commanders keep five on the defensive line, could Barber beat out Newton?
The final two preseason games and the joint practice with the Ravens could go a long way for both Martin and Newton. General manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn always talk about competition and say the best players will play. Does draft status impact that? Of course it does. But it’s worth noting that Martin was selected in the previous regime, while Newton was Washington’s second pick in Peters’ first draft.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Former Commanders' 2nd-round picks heading in opposite directions after preseason opener