The Washington Commanders continue to lay the foundations for what they hopefully will be a profitable 2024 season. It’s been an enthralling training camp up to this point within a vibrant, positive atmosphere. Fans are expectant and the players are determined to carve out roles for themselves. It’s been a recipe for success so far, but nobody is getting complacent.

Dan Quinn is trying to keep everyone’s feet on the ground. He’ll notice the improved situation across the Commanders. He also knows that getting it done when the regular season arrives is going to be the deciding factor regarding the timeline of this substantial rebuild.

Washington’s preseason slate is on the immediate horizon, which represents the final chance for some to secure roster spots or important roles. The early impressions have been made. Building on or altering them will be the most challenging task of all.

With that being said, here are three winners and two losers from Washington’s 2024 training camp in Ashburn.

Winners and losers from Week 2 of Commanders 2024 training camp

Brian Robinson Jr. – Commanders RB

The Washington Commanders are expecting big things from their running back unit in 2024. Brian Robinson Jr. is at the forefront of these expectations despite the arrival of veteran free-agent signing Austin Ekeler.

Robinson performed well last season and is looking to showcase what he can do as one of the team’s focal points on offense. His production turned up a notch over the second week of training camp based on the musings of those in attendance. The former Alabama star’s ability as a pass-catcher out of the backfield, in particular, came in for widespread plaudits.

This rushing partnership of Robinson and Ekeler should become highly beneficial to rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. Having this sort of security blanket is only going to serve him well. If both reach the level expected, it will also open up space in the passing game to do damage.

Ekeler has an important part to play. Robinson will be the tone-setting workhorse. And he’s off to a great start this summer.

Loser No. 1

Cornelius Lucas – Commanders OT

Cornelius Lucas came into training camp as the starting left tackle for the Washington Commanders. This was due to experience more than anything else, but it represented an opportunity to stake a claim and cement his status as an important part of the team’s plans.

Lucas doesn’t do much wrong, in all honesty. He’s a dependable performer and can always be counted upon to step in and ensure no momentum is lost. However, doing this from a starting role is far more complicated.

There have been notable signs throughout Week 2 of training camp that Lucas is losing ground. Rookie third-rounder Brandon Coleman’s development is rapid and encouraging in equal measure. He looks like someone capable of manning blindside responsibilities right out of the gate, especially considering his performances during 1-on-1 battles in pads.

Coleman’s also been given the lion’s share of first-team reps at left tackle in recent days. This is the clearest sign yet that the Commanders like what they see from the former TCU star. Something that can give them a first-year blindside protector and quarterback to begin the campaign.

As for Lucas? It’s probably a little disappointing to lose considerable ground in such a short space of time. But it’s also something he was aware could occur looking at the outstanding athletic attributes at Coleman’s disposal.

All hope is not lost where Lucas is concerned, but starting in Week 1 at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers seems unlikely at this juncture. Even if he is reduced to backup duties once again, it’s a role he’s used to and can provide an outstanding veteran presence if Coleman ends up struggling or suffers some bad luck on the health front.

Coleman stamping his authority is the best possible outcome for the Commanders. All Lucas can do is keep plugging away and hope those in power look favorably on his production.

Winner No. 2

Jayden Daniels – Commanders QB

The light has come on for Jayden Daniels more over Week 2 of training camp than at any stage during the offseason. That’s the highest compliment imaginable considering how seamless the quarterback’s transition to the Washington Commanders has been since he was taken No. 2 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.

All eyes were on Daniels to see how he’d perform when the pads went on. Things get more physical and the margins for error get a little slimmer as the speed intensifies. This was another test the signal-caller passed with flying colors.

Daniels’ poise, accuracy at all three levels of the field, and ability to recognize pre-snap pressure were a revelation according to those in attendance. There were highlight-reel throws aplenty – especially to wide receiver Terry McLaurin. Sunday’s session was also the first legitimate example of how the dual-threat presence under center can impact the ground game.

Dan Quinn hasn’t yet named Daniels as the Week 1 starter. He’s stated on countless occasions that this will be a process and when the time is right, everyone will know. That doesn’t seem too far away now considering how things have gone over the opening two weeks of training camp.

Quinn also announced that Daniels will play in Washington’s preseason opener at the New York Jets. This will be the best measuring stick possible at this early stage of his progress. Taking some live fire with the prospect of getting hit in a typical game-day setting represents another opportunity for the Heisman Trophy winner to put the league on notice.

Everything is going according to plan for Daniels up to now. It’s not going to be a bed of roses all the time, but players and coaches genuinely believe this is the franchise quarterback the Commanders have needed for decades.

The energy, charisma, and tireless work ethic have come to the fore quickly. Daniels is riding on the crest of a wave. And the best part? This is just the start.

Loser No. 2

Braeden Daniels – Commanders OL

There have been a few injury worries along the Washington Commanders offensive line over the second week of training camp. This isn’t enough to press the panic button just yet. Dan Quinn is seeing this as an opportunity to look at those further down the pecking order fighting for spots on the 53-man roster.

Sam Cosmi was kept out as a precaution on Day 9 but his issue isn’t seen as serious. Andrew Wylie is drifting in and out after lingering tightness. Veteran backup offensive tackle Alex Akingbulu needed help to get off the field and was carted to the locker room. His status is unclear, but what followed immediately after was another damning indictment on how the coaching staff sees Braeden Daniels’ role in 2024.

Instead of the Commanders giving Daniels reps at the offensive tackle positions – somewhere he played in college at Utah – they went with Mason Brooks instead. He was an undrafted free agent last year rather than being a fourth-round pick.

This is the latest in a series of immense disappointments since Daniels came into the Commanders. He’s been spending all of his time on the interior at training camp according to those in attendance. Deploying him on the edge isn’t something those in power are considering despite his previous experience. Carving out a new path will be challenging.

Daniels didn’t look well suited to the NFL last summer before mercifully going to season-ending injured reserve. He’s already playing catch up considering the momentum others are building. There’s still time to turn things around, even if the task is becoming more difficult with every practice.

The Commanders will give Daniels plenty of work during the preseason. He needs live reps for everyone to get a broader perception of his talent level. Things aren’t looking good right now, which only raises the stakes when his number’s called over Washington’s warmup games.

Looking at how things stand, it would be surprising if Daniels made the roster. There’s just too much going against him.

Winner No. 3

Frankie Luvu – Commanders LB

The Washington Commanders invested heavily in their linebacking corps this offseason. Just why previous head coach Ron Rivera ignored a position he played himself will remain a mystery. This mistake was something new general manager Adam Peters was looking to avoid.

Bobby Wagner brings prestige and Pro Football Hall of Fame credentials to the table. That’ll be a huge positive both on and off the field, especially considering the Commanders also secured the services of Frankie Luvu in free agency.

Luvu comes into the franchise on the back of three exceptional seasons with the Carolina Panthers after rising from obscurity to win a starting job. He’s explosive and brings an energy that Washington’s defensive second level sorely lacked last season. His partnership with Wagner comes with untold potential attached in pursuit of improvements under Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. in 2024.

The former undrafted free agent out of Washington State turned down an extension from the Panthers to link up with Quinn. Luvu believes this is the scheme that can help him into the upper echelons of players at the position. Based on his production over the second week of training camp, it seems this could be a mutually beneficial relationship.

To say Luvu’s come alive during padded practices would be an understatement. His speed to the contact point and rushing the passer have stood out considerably. There’s a fun-loving ferocity to his on-field demeanor that players are gravitating towards. That’s exactly what the Commanders had in mind when they identified him as a high-priority target when the legal tampering period got underway.

Luvu quickly emerged as an integral part of Washington’s defensive plans for next season. Coaches and players alike have been gushing in their praise of the linebacker. He’s become a fan favorite in double-quick time, so it would be a major disappointment if the player didn’t build on this positive momentum.