ASHBURN, Va. -- The Washington Commanders open 2022 NFL training camp Wednesday at their practice facility. Here's a closer look at a few storylines:
Who is the player with the most to prove? Quarterback Carson Wentz. ESPN NFL analyst Troy Aikman said this was Wentz's last season to prove he could be a franchise quarterback, and he's right. Wentz was traded in consecutive offseasons -- even after throwing 27 touchdown passes to only seven interceptions with the Indianapolis Colts in 2021. Once upon a time, Wentz was considered an MVP candidate in Philadelphia; and entering the 2020 season there was debate in the NFC East about who was better between Wentz and Dallas' Dak Prescott. Since that time Wentz was benched once and traded twice and had every flaw analyzed. But he remains a talented player, which is why Washington wanted him. He'll be surrounded by arguably his best collection of skill position talent since he entered the NFL in 2016.
The biggest question: How good is their defense? In 2020, Washington's defense finished second in total yards and fourth in points but last season, facing much tougher quarterbacks, it finished 22nd in yards and 25th in points. During one eight-game stretch they hovered around the top 10 but overall were inconsistent and frustrating. Their line, even if defensive end Chase Young misses a couple of games to start because of ACL surgery, should be good. But questions surround the back seven that must be answered: Will linebacker Cole Holcomb take the big step the coaches boasted he was capable of taking? Will second-year linebacker Jamin Davis be more impactful than he was as a rookie? Do the Commanders have enough secondary depth?
Training camp is a success if ... receiver Curtis Samuel stays healthy and rookie Jahan Dotson looks legitimate. Both will be pivotal to Washington's offensive success. Samuel played just five games in 2021 because of a groin injury followed by one to his hamstring. He never looked explosive and it cost the offense. He sat out a couple of days in the spring -- coach Ron Rivera said it was due to tightness in his legs and out of "an abundance of caution." Samuel adds versatility with his ability to line up in the backfield, the slot or on the outside. Dotson looked sharp in the spring with his savviness as much as his talent. If that continues he'll be a consistent threat alongside Terry McLaurin. It would enable Washington to use more four-receiver sets and diversify its attack and lessen the burden on McLaurin.
Injury impact: Young and tight end Logan Thomas might miss the start of the season because of 2021 ACL injuries. How long they're out could be the difference in Washington's season. Young suffered a torn right ACL and MCL in November; there's a definite chance he could miss a few games. Though he only posted 1.5 sacks in nine games last year, he remains a talented pass-rusher who's capable of elevating this defense. Meanwhile, Thomas' return also remains uncertain and there's a chance he might miss the season opener. He tore his left ACL in December so the opener is only nine months from the injury. Washington's receiving corps should be solid, but Thomas plays a vital role in the pass game because of his size and red zone success.
Camp prediction: Running back Antonio Gibson emerges as the most talked about offensive player in camp. There will be a lot of attention on Wentz, so perhaps this should be the player most discussed after their new quarterback. It's often hard for running backs to stand out in camp because there isn't live tackling. But Gibson will emerge because of the work he put in this offseason, lowering his body fat from 18 percent to less than 12, he said, which should add more explosiveness. Gibson will remind everyone about his potential based on what he's done the previous six months.