This time of year is all about seizing opportunities around the NFL. There is one Washington Commanders' rising star who is leaving reporters stunned by his rapid emergence into a prominent role.
Adam Peters is coming under fire for his handling of wide receiver Terry McLaurin's contract situation, but the general manager has barely put a foot wrong aside from that. This bears more significance with his draft picks, with far more hits than misses over his first class in 2024.
It's early days for the 2025 crop of college recruits, but the signs are immensely promising nonetheless. And one player is catching the eye arguably above everyone to all but confirm his starting spot right out of the gate.
Trey Amos enhanced his stock during Commanders' joint practice with the Patriots
The Commanders believed they secured a steal when cornerback Trey Amos plunged out of the first round and into their laps at No. 61 overall. A back issue during pre-draft medical testing was the primary reason, but Peters thought it was a risk well worth taking for someone Washington considered with the No. 29 pick.
Amos is putting this chip on his shoulder to good use. He's taken charge immediately, displaying the accomplished coverage capabilities and willingness to assist against the run that weren't evident in the cornerback room last season. This hasn't gone unnoticed by head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr., who quickly placed the former Ole Miss standout into the starting boundary role opposite Marshon Lattimore.
This was a hugely positive development. More importantly, Amos looks like he belongs.
Joint practice with the New England Patriots provided another strong measuring stick for Amos. This gave him the chance to lock horns with All-Pro wideout Stefon Diggs, who is coming off a torn ACL but remains a polished route-runner who knows how to get open.
Aside from one minor lapse in concentration, it was another successful day at the office for Amos. He went toe-to-toe with Diggs and emerged with tremendous credit. This drew rave reviews from reporters in attendance, which only boosts his momentum further heading into Washington's preseason slate.
If the same trend continues during whatever time Amos sees on the field over Washington's three warmup games, expectations will soar before Week 1 against the New York Giants. And then the real fun begins.
There will be some expected growing pains; every rookie aside from the truly elite goes through struggles. But there's a growing sense that the Commanders might have struck gold with a Day 2 cornerback for the second-straight year.
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