David Harrison · Jul 3, 2026
Harrison names six Washington Commanders breakout candidates for 2026 — RB Jacory Crosskey-Merritt, LB Sonny Styles, WR Antonio Williams, DT Johnny Newton, RT Josh Conerly Jr. and CB Trey Amos — attaching production bars to each: 1,000-plus scrimmage yards and 10 scores for Crosskey-Merritt, ~90 tackles and 90% of snaps for Styles, 40/650/4 for Williams, six-plus sacks for Newton, and a top-15 (possibly top-10) coverage finish plus a first career interception for Amos.
“I really don't see a reason that Bill can't get at least 200 carries.”
said on air, transcribed by us · Locked On Commanders (podcast) · read the original →
16 checkable claims from this
Each one is scored on its own against the published methodology. A pundit naming several outcomes is graded on each, not on all-or-nothing.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt to outplay his draft cost
“Corey Cross and Merrick running back, he's my top pick. He's the guy that I think has kind of that clearest path... I think Bill has the cleanest path to a breakout season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt to record 26 receptions
“I think getting double the targets, 26 even, is certainly within reach if he does take that step.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Sonny Styles to outplay his draft cost
“our first defender, linebacker Sonny Styles... I think we can safely call that a breakout season in the first season for Sonny Styles as a rookie linebacker for the Washington commanders.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Sonny Styles to be 1st on the depth chart
“But I think starting immediately, being just the fourteenth linebacker in NFL history to play 90% or more of his team stems as a rookie.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Antonio Williams to outplay his draft cost
“we're gonna talk about another rookie here. It's Antonio Williams... I think it's certainly fair to call that a breakout season”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Antonio Williams to record 40 receptions
“the breakout line for Antonio sits right around 40 catches, 650 yards, four touchdowns”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Antonio Williams to record 650 receiving yards
“the breakout line for Antonio sits right around 40 catches, 650 yards, four touchdowns”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Antonio Williams to record 4 receiving tds
“the breakout line for Antonio sits right around 40 catches, 650 yards, four touchdowns”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Antonio Williams to be 3rd on the depth chart
“He has a real wide receiver two, wide receiver three opening opportunity next to Terry McLaren... Antonio Williams is is projected to be a starter in his rookie season”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Josh Conerly Jr. to outplay his draft cost
“Josh Connolly Junior, our right tackle, second year right tackle. I think that this is the breakout player who clearly is not going to... impact your fantasy team directly... hopefully, it can get better, and Josh Connolly can have that breakout season”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Sleeper CallsTrey AmosWashington CommandersJul 3, 2026
Trey Amos to outplay his draft cost
“Trey Amos could certainly be a breakout player this year for the Washington commanders.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Trey Amos to finish top 15 at his position, by interceptions
“I absolutely expect Trey Amos to get back in the top 15 in in production there as a defensive, past defender.”
Too vague to check — we could not tell what would count as right.
Trey Amos to record 1 interceptions
“And, oh, by the way, he gets his first career interception because we're all waiting on that to come.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Trey Amos to be 1st on the depth chart
“if he stays healthy, holds that starting outside cornerback job, which I believe he will”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Jer'Zhan Newton to record 6 sacks
“If you can get roughly six sacks or more, create strong pressure, keep those pressure rates... I think we could safely say Johnny Newton poised to have a breakout year in 2026.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Jer'Zhan Newton to outplay his draft cost
“Our number two defensive breakout candidate, getting away from the rookies a little bit, Johnny Newton... I think we could safely say Johnny Newton poised to have a breakout year in 2026.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.