The Washington Commanders fought hard before eventually falling short at the Baltimore Ravens. This was a step too far for this fledgling rebuild despite their exceptional start to the campaign. However, the fact they kept it relatively close without ever threatening to triumph was pleasing if nothing else.
One overlooked factor behind Washington's loss was the abysmal previous first-round mistakes made by former head coach Ron Rivera. It's a problem new general manager Adam Peters is looking to fix, but it's going to take time.
For the Commanders to make Jamin Davis and Emmanuel Forbes Jr. healthy scratches in their biggest game of the campaign so far spoke volumes. They couldn't be trusted versus an elite offense such as the Ravens. That is a damning indictment of how the coaching staff perceives their qualities.
Commanders' paying the price for failed first-round picks under Ron Rivera
Washington's secondary was torched throughout. Zay Flowers, Lamar Jackson, and almost everyone else had their way at M&T Bank Stadium. Taking Forbes over Christian Gonzalez at No. 16 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft was a fumble of epic proportions by Rivera, who became infatuated with the Mississippi State product and didn't deviate despite a more accomplished performer falling into his lap.
How the Commanders could have done with someone like Gonzalez in this one? He's developing into one of the league's premier perimeter coverage presences while Forbes rides the pine at best. Washington is paying a heavy price for this lack of judgment.
Davis' fortunes are hanging in the balance, too. This looks like his final year with the team after his transition to edge rusher hasn't gone according to plan. We're getting to the stage now where Peters might consider trying to get something back for the player before the upcoming trade deadline.
This is without counting 2022 first-round pick Jahan Dotson, who's no longer around after being traded to the Philadelphia Eagles before the campaign. That's three successive first-rounders before Jayden Daniels in 2024 who are not contributing or removed from the equation entirely.
Simply unacceptable considering the investment.
Fortunately for the Commanders, Rivera isn't around anymore. Washington is moving forward with a more collaborative purpose and an aligned vision for the future under Peters. He's off to a tremendous start, finding a franchise quarterback and some valuable contributors in his first draft. They are in a good spot financially and have 10 selections at their disposal next year to further sweeten the pot.
What the future holds for Davis and Forbes remains to be seen, but it's not looking too promising. And Peters has had no trouble disposing of Rivera draft picks if he feels like they aren't up to the team's improved standards.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing to have, but taking Dotson, Davis, and Forbes was always risky. If Peters continues his outstanding beginning to life in charge of an NFL franchise for the first time, it won't be much longer before the Commanders compensate for these grave mistakes with Rivera leading the way.
