Crimson Tide NFL Rundown: The Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders are in one of the toughest divisions in football, with the Philadelphia Eagles prepared to repeat as NFC champions, the Dallas Cowboys projected to return to the playoffs, and the New York Giants poised to make another return to the postseason. However, the Commanders will be the only team in the division to have a new starting quarterback.
Sam Howell will have some help. Former Alabama Crimson Tide running back Brian Robinson Jr. is entering his second year, and is coming off his first fully healthy offseason. Robinson was shot twice just after winning the starting job and missed the start of the 2022 season. Despite the setback, Robinson still led the team with 797 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. The Commanders also have a solid wide receiver core led by Terry McLaurin, who had 1,191 receiving yards and five touchdowns, and Jahan Dotson. During his rookie season in 2022, Dotson had 523 receiving yards and a team-leading seven touchdowns. The Commanders are hoping for a big year-two leap from the Penn State product.
Defensively, the Commanders are led by a Crimson Tide duo up front: Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne. Allen had 65 total tackles, 7.5 sacks, 16 tackles for loss, three passes defended, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery last season. Payne, though, was in a contract year and tallied 64 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 18 tackles for loss, five passes defended and one fumble recovery.
Active Washington Commanders
#93 Jonathan Allen, DT
#94 Daron Payne, DT
#98 Phidarian Mathis, DT
#8 Brian Robinson Jr., RB
Payne was a force to be reckoned with on the interior defensive line during his time at Alabama from 2015 to 2017. He had 102 tackles, four passes defended, three sacks, one forced fumble and one interception. He also saw a couple of key snaps on offense, with a touchdown reception against Clemson in the Sugar Bowl. Payne was a first-round selection by Washington during the 2018 NFL draft.
Allen's career, which went from 2013-16, lapped over with Payne's for two seasons. Allen had 153 career tackles, two passes defended, one forced fumble, two fumble recovery touchdowns, and 28.5 sacks — including the "Superman sack" against Texas A&M's Trevor Knight in 2016. He was also a first-round pick for Washington in 2017.
Even with Allen and Payne, Washington also drafted defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis out of Alabama in the 2022 second round. During his time at Alabama, Mathis had 129 tackles, five passes defended, 10.5 sacks and three forced fumbles over four years. Mathis is listed as the backup to Allen and Payne and appears poised to make the 53-man roster.
Robinson spent five years at Alabama and did not start until his final season. Among those he was behind on the depth chart included Bo Scarborough, Damien Harris, Josh Jacobs, and Najee Harris. When Robinson finally got his opportunity he took advantage with 1,343 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns in 2021, while also hauling in 35 catches for 395 yards and two more touchdowns. Robinson's 2021 season earned him a third-round selection by the Commanders in 2022. He only played in 12 games last season due to his injury but should be ready for a bigger workload in 2023.
The Commanders have a tough schedule in 2023, beginning with their division. All three other teams made the playoffs in 2022, and they also have to play a strong San Francisco 49ers, a high-powered Miami Dolphins, and a newly rejuvenated New York Jets. The Commanders went 8-8-1 last season, but could make a playoff push this season, depending on the Howell's development.
See Also: Bama in the NFL: Active Alabama Players
