The one Commanders player that could flip Week 3 on its head

"Enter Quan Martin - a versatile perimeter stalwart whose skill set and adaptability could prove pivotal against the new-look Las Vegas Raiders under head coach Pete Carroll. The 2023 second-round pick from the Ron Rivera era is a player Washington has steadily groomed for a larger role as the years have progressed. While his rookie campaign was about situational snaps and learning NFL speed, fast forward two seasons, and he remains one of football's better young safeties who continues to fly under the radar."

"With Jones sidelined, Washington's cornerback starting trio is expected to continue to feature Marshon Lattimore, rookie Trey Amos, and second-year nickel Mike Sainristil. It's a talented but relatively inexperienced unit outside of the four-time Pro Bowler, which places even more importance on Martin's role as a hybrid safety. And considering the lack of, well, anything from Lattimore in D.C. thus far, Martin's role becomes all the more critical - specifically, his ability to cover from number to number. On the backend, Martin isn't locked into a single assignment. He can line up as a deep safety, rotate into the slot, or even step into the box to provide run support."

Washington's defense faces a reshuffle entering Week 3 after defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. was lost for the season and cornerback Jonathan Jones will be sidelined for at least a month. Quan Martin presents a timely opportunity as a versatile perimeter defender able to cover multiple assignments. The 2023 second-round pick has progressed from situational rookie snaps to a consistently effective young safety with instincts, alignment flexibility, and increasing command of Joe Whitt Jr.'s scheme. Martin can play deep, rotate into the slot, or step into the box for run support, enabling disguise of coverages and compensating for an inexperienced corner group.

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