Why Commanders 'Love' Their Secondary

In the NFC East alone, Washington Commanders defensive backs will be asked to defend pass catchers such as A.J. Brown, CeeDee Lamb, DeVonta Smith, Darren Waller, Brandin Cooks and Michael Gallup. That makes having a capable secondary crucial if the Commanders are going to return to the postseason for the first time since 2020. 

For his part, third-year cornerback Benjamin St-Juste is excited about the camaraderie that's forming among a secondary with an increasing amount of talent. 

“I love the group that we have," St-Juste said. "It's been very fun. That's one thing that  we can highlight. It's been fun. I think our chemistry is really good. Everybody feeds off each other’s energy. Everybody's learning very fast. I'm moving well, [CB] [Emmanuel] Forbes is moving well [CB] [Jartavius Martin] Quan, all those guys. I think we all care for each other so that's what makes our group tight.”

St-Juste -- a third-round pick out of Minnesota in 2021 -- had 42 combined tackles, seven passes defended, three quarterback hits and two tackles for a loss in 12 games last season. 

Kendall Fuller, 28, is the elder statesman among players expected to be at the forefront of Washington's secondary.

"Each day we're trying to go out there and get better," Fuller said. "Ultimately, just go out there and make plays, touch the ball. Coach Rivera's been preaching about just doing the little things right. That's something we've been focusing on each and every play. Just doing the little details, right. Getting your keys right and fundamentals right. It's been fun, man. Everybody been going out there and making plays and just going out there competing.”

On the other end of the spectrum is Emmanuel Forbes, the first-round rookie out of Mississippi State. While there are some size concerns about Forbes -- he's listed at 180 pounds, which is generous -- he's expected to be an immediate starter for coach Ron Rivera and defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio. 

“I think he's just starting to play faster," Fuller said about Forbes. "When you first get in there, trying to learn the defense and things like that sometimes you allow your mental process to slow you down. He's been coming out here mentally starting to pick it up faster, so you see him reacting faster to certain plays and certain routes and things like that. So, he's definitely improving each and every day.”

For as much pressure as there is on second-year quarterback Sam Howell in 2023, Rivera has a defensive background. Washington has perhaps the best defensive line in the NFL, and if they pair that with a strong secondary, it will reflect well on Rivera and perhaps cool his seat a bit as new owner Josh Harris assesses the future of the franchise.