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We haven't heard a lot from Commanders' first-round pick Josh Conerly Jr. through five days of training camp. Usually, first-round picks are the center of attention, but Conerly has been flying under the radar.
The Commanders used the No. 29 overall pick on Conerly in April's 2025 NFL draft. After trading draft picks to the Houston Texans for five-time Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil, Conerly appeared ticketed for right tackle.
But as we learned last summer, the Commanders will not hand him the position. That's why he's rotated between the first and second-team offense through the first week of camp. Conerly has held his own, but, as a rookie, has had his ups and downs.
One local media member has been at every Washington practice and called Conerly "underwhelming" thus far.
Lynnell Willingham of 106.7 The Fan in Washington, D.C.,
"The one young pup, throughout the first four days of camp, that has been underwhelming is how I would describe it, is Josh Conerly Jr.," Willingham said on the radio Monday.
"I mentioned [DE] Javontae Jean-Baptiste was having a day. He was having a day versus Josh Conerly. Three straight pressures. Javontae Jean-Baptiste had just off of running the hoop. But the one thing that I've noticed about Josh Conerly since watching him in the team drills, and it's honestly stunning to me, because this is the opposite of what he was billed as coming out of Oregon. He's got heavy feet. He's not moving tremendously well when it comes to one-on-one pass rush situations. And then, watching him try and get out in space on screens. Now, it's early, so, so early. Right? We haven't, we're not even in full pads yet. So do not ring the alarm. I'm not."
OK, we need to slow down here. It's been five practices. There is an adjustment period. He's facing veteran NFL players on a play-to-play basis. He needs to adjust to those veteran players; they don't need to adjust to him. One thing is certain about Conerly: he will not start if the team doesn't think he's ready. The Commanders have excellent offensive tackle depth. Andrew Wylie, who started the last two years at right tackle, is rotating with Conerly this summer and is more than capable of handling the position.
The key for Conerly is to improve a little bit each practice. He will. He's only 21 years old. Whether he starts Week 1 or not, Conerly will be Washington's right tackle at some point this season. If he's going to struggle, now is the time to take his lumps.
Willingham is not wrong for his opinion. But it is his opinion. He is right about one thing: it's early, so, so early.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: One observer says Commanders' first-round pick has been underwhelming
Continue reading...
The Commanders used the No. 29 overall pick on Conerly in April's 2025 NFL draft. After trading draft picks to the Houston Texans for five-time Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil, Conerly appeared ticketed for right tackle.
But as we learned last summer, the Commanders will not hand him the position. That's why he's rotated between the first and second-team offense through the first week of camp. Conerly has held his own, but, as a rookie, has had his ups and downs.
One local media member has been at every Washington practice and called Conerly "underwhelming" thus far.
Lynnell Willingham of 106.7 The Fan in Washington, D.C.,
"The one young pup, throughout the first four days of camp, that has been underwhelming is how I would describe it, is Josh Conerly Jr.," Willingham said on the radio Monday.
"I mentioned [DE] Javontae Jean-Baptiste was having a day. He was having a day versus Josh Conerly. Three straight pressures. Javontae Jean-Baptiste had just off of running the hoop. But the one thing that I've noticed about Josh Conerly since watching him in the team drills, and it's honestly stunning to me, because this is the opposite of what he was billed as coming out of Oregon. He's got heavy feet. He's not moving tremendously well when it comes to one-on-one pass rush situations. And then, watching him try and get out in space on screens. Now, it's early, so, so early. Right? We haven't, we're not even in full pads yet. So do not ring the alarm. I'm not."
OK, we need to slow down here. It's been five practices. There is an adjustment period. He's facing veteran NFL players on a play-to-play basis. He needs to adjust to those veteran players; they don't need to adjust to him. One thing is certain about Conerly: he will not start if the team doesn't think he's ready. The Commanders have excellent offensive tackle depth. Andrew Wylie, who started the last two years at right tackle, is rotating with Conerly this summer and is more than capable of handling the position.
The key for Conerly is to improve a little bit each practice. He will. He's only 21 years old. Whether he starts Week 1 or not, Conerly will be Washington's right tackle at some point this season. If he's going to struggle, now is the time to take his lumps.
Willingham is not wrong for his opinion. But it is his opinion. He is right about one thing: it's early, so, so early.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: One observer says Commanders' first-round pick has been underwhelming
Continue reading...