The Washington Commanders have made changes to their cornerback position, releasing Danny Johnson and signing Kyu Blu Kelly, a fifth-round pick for the Baltimore Ravens in the 2023 NFL draft. This move comes after the Commanders’ secondary struggled against Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill in Week 13, allowing 157 yards and two touchdowns.
Danny Johnson, who received a new two-year contract in March, faced challenges in building on his performance after stepping in for benched first-round pick Emmanuel Forbes earlier in the season. Forbes was benched in Week 6 against the Atlanta Falcons, and Johnson contributed to a 24-16 victory with a crucial pass breakup against tight end Kyle Pitts.
Despite showcasing skills such as ball-hawking, injuries and inconsistency in coverage hindered Johnson’s chances to secure a permanent spot with the Commanders. A rotator cuff problem during joint practices with the Ravens in August and a fractured patella as a rookie contributed to his struggles.
Most important tackle in Ravens preseason history by Kyu Blu Kelly? pic.twitter.com/HlpsaTfMni
— Steve Palazzolo (@PFF_Steve) August 22, 2023
In contrast, Kyu Blu Kelly, drafted by the Ravens in April, has had brief stints with the Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers before joining the Commanders. The Commanders claimed Kelly off waivers, and his addition hints at the team’s effort to address issues in their secondary, allowing a league-high 8.1 yards per attempt.
Nice read and break by Danny Johnson to break up a pass on 3rd and 5, hold the Browns to a FG attempt pic.twitter.com/9EQ7qRWaRQ
— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) January 1, 2023
Kelly, who broke up 17 passes during his final two seasons at Stanford, is seen as having untapped talent that could contribute to the team. The fact that he garnered interest from the Los Angeles Rams and Houston Texans before joining the Commanders suggests potential waiting to be unleashed. Head coach Ron Rivera will likely give Kelly the opportunity to compete in a secondary led by veterans Benjamin St-Juste and Kendall Fuller.
This move signifies the Commanders’ proactive approach to address their defensive challenges, particularly in the cornerback position, as they aim to improve their performance in the latter part of the season. Fans and analysts may have varying opinions on the impact of these roster changes, and the upcoming games will provide a clearer picture of how Kelly fits into the team’s defensive scheme.
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