The Washington Commanders' defensive back room has become one of the deepest, most valuable on the team. Considering that development, it perhaps comes as no surprise that analysts invested in members of the secondary during a stock-themed discussion on Command Center.
"If you've got diamond hands on them, they're a player that you think has tremendous value moving forward," analyst and former Washington tight end Logan Paulsen explained.
"Diamond hands" also means that you'll hold onto your stock despite possible volatility in the market because the long-term benefits of this player outweigh potential inconsistencies of players.
As a rookie, inconsistencies and growing pains are inevitable. However, that doesn't mean there won't be tremendous value added, which is why former Washington wide receiver Santana Moss chose rookie cornerback Trey Amos as his diamond hands player.
"To have a rookie playing at the level he is right now at camp and having coaches saying 'Hey, this guy locked this guy up,' that's diamond hands," Moss said.
Amos spent his final college season with the Ole Miss Rebels starting all 13 games and helping to anchor one of the best defenses in Ole Miss history. He led the team with 13 pass breakups and finished as the SEC leader in total pass breakups.
Amos wasn't the only offseason addition to defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.'s secondary. The Commanders also signed safety Will Harris who was with the New Orleans Saints last season and was Paulsen's diamond hands player.
"The versatility is the one that gets me. In the box, safety, nickel, played multiple spots on the defense. You can see his experience. You feel like he's ready for an ascending role." Paulsen said.
Before he played with the Saints, Harris spent five seasons with the Detroit Lions. As Paulsen referenced, he played at safety, nickel and corner at the NFL level. He also fits the bill for Whitt's defense that versatile players thrive in.
Versatility has also been the name of the game for safety Quan Martin who is going into his third season with the Commanders. Washington analyst and former defensive back Fred Smoot chose him as his diamond hands player for the crew's final selection.
"He has this calm presence, this calm confidence about him. He's got a little Ed Reed in him. That's the unexplainable that you can't quantify," Smoot said.
From the long, press corner to the speedy safety to the versatile nickel, the talent in the defensive back room has the potential to pay dividends as Washington looks to improve in 2025.
