Jean-Baptiste has showcased his potential as a roving pass-rusher. Getty
Josephs talents off the edge are already well known to key members of the Commanders. Getty
The Washington Commanders gave Daronte Jones a host of new and dynamic edge defenders, but a forgotten pass-rusher is increasingly impressing the first-year defensive coordinator.
Jones made a point to talk up Javontae Jean-Baptiste after practice at training camp on Tuesday, August 11. The seventh-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft "has done a few things the last couple of days that's really caught your eye, and you can see his athleticism."
It isn't just Jones heaping praise on Jean-Baptiste. Not when ESPN Insider John Keim admitted, "I think Javonte Jean-Baptiste to me has kind of had a quietly effective camp. In the one-on-ones today he got around Andrew Wylie , got inside Trent Scott on another one."
Jean-Baptiste has picked the perfect time to remind observers and coaches about his talents. He's facing a fight to stay relevant in a reloaded pass-rush rotation transformed by free agency dollars and draft capital this offseason.
One of those high-profile newcomers is already showing out , so it's going to be tougher for Jean-Baptiste to get onto the field. Fortunately, the former Notre Dame stud's skill-set actually fits Jones' schemes.
Jones is noticing Jean-Baptiste because the 6-foot-4, 260-pounder matches the profile the Commanders want at the edges of their front seven. Namely, lengthy and active disruptors able to wreck offenses in multiple ways.
Jean-Baptiste has flashed his potential as a power-based rusher since entering the pros. Notably, when he sacked Joe Burrow against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3 of his rookie campaign.
GettyJean-Baptiste has showcased his potential as a roving pass-rusher.
It was Jean-Baptiste's maiden quarterback takedown in the NFL, and he added to it by felling Geno Smith against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 3 of last season. Unfortunately, a torn pec ended Jean-Baptiste's second year prematurely.
Jones' arrival offers him a new lease of life because of a scheme designed around moving actors up front and pressure from all angles. Jean-Baptiste suits the new strategy as defensive end who can rush from a standup position or with his hand down, and even slide inside to tackle.
He also offers a stout body against the run, something Westwood One Sports host Lynnell Willingham noticed during Washington's scrimmages with the Miami Dolphins .
Plays like this one will form Jean-Baptiste's case to beat the competition for a roster spot in the Commanders' pass-rush room. A competition also featuring a similarly versatile rookie.
The Commanders still weren't satisfied after spending big to take K'Lavon Chaisson and Odafe Oweh off the veteran market. So general manager Adam Peters used a fifth-round pick to acquire another flexible edge, Joshua Josephs .
He's an undersized defensive end whose raw physical talents could outperform a Super Bowl winner in a key role in Jones' front seven. That's a bold prediction, but Josephs has shown potential as a draft steal .
GettyKey members of the Commanders already know all about Josephs' talents.
Jones is aware of the potential , telling reporters Josephs is "picking up the tutelage of [OLB] Coach [John] Pagano. But then also, he's surrounded by some good guys in that room. With 'KC' [OLB K'Lavon Chaisson] and 'Doff' [OLB Odafe Oweh ] and [DE] Dorrance [Armstrong], they're in his ear. He's watching those guys, he's learning from those guys. So, he's in a good group where he can kind of fast track a little bit some of the maturation process, but I like where he is so far."
The names Jones mentioned underscore how loaded the Commanders are at edge-rusher. There may not even be enough reps to go around, but Jean-Baptiste's comeback can only add to the embarrassment of riches.
Like HEAVY's content? Be sure to follow us .
This article was originally published on HEAVY
The post Forgotten Commanders Edge Is Impressing Daronte Jones appeared first on HEAVY .
