Photo Credit: Washington Commanders/Kourtney Carroll
The Washington Commanders entered camp with high expectations for their secondary, and so far, head coach Dan Quinn has been impressed with what he has seen. Two players in particular caught his eye: second-year safety Quan Martin and veteran safety Will Harris. Quinn pointed to Martin’s steady development and Harris’s versatility as two bright spots that stood out in practice and team meetings.
“Two of the players, and I’ll get back to Will for a second, but two of the players that I pointed out in yesterday’s team meeting was Quan and Jeremy,” Quinn said after practice. “I just felt like they have just been so consistently hitting their stride at a good level.”
Martin, who entered the league two seasons ago as a second-round pick, has shown growth in every phase of the game. His confidence and recognition have allowed him to play fast while also setting a standard for his group. Quinn values the consistency Martin displays and sees him becoming a dependable anchor in the safety room alongside fellow veteran Jeremy Reaves.
The Commanders expect Martin to play a bigger role in 2025, and so far, he has delivered with steady practices that show both his range in coverage and his physicality in run support. Quinn highlighted how Martin’s daily efforts reflect the identity of the safety unit as a whole: competitive and committed.
Will Harris Adds Versatility and Edge
While Martin represents the future of the position, Harris brings an immediate edge with his experience and adaptability. Signed this offseason, Harris has already turned heads with his ability to cover one-on-one and battle with some of Washington’s top receiving threats. Quinn described the duels between Harris and tight end Zach Ertz as some of the most competitive in camp.
“Will has brought a very good dimension for us in covering and playing man-to-man. I love seeing the battles with him and Zach. There’s leverage and working, they really challenge one another. I’ve grown to really appreciate the different skills that Will brings and how we can feature him,” Quinn said.
Harris’s toughness and competitive nature stood out once the pads came on. The physical side of camp gave Quinn and his staff a clearer look at how Harris could be used in different matchups. His ability to handle tight ends and backs makes him a versatile piece in a defense that demands safeties to be more maneuverable than ever.
Quinn believes Harris’s skills open the door to creative packages where the Commanders can match up against different offensive looks. That flexibility, paired with the work ethic of the entire safety room, has given Quinn confidence that the group will be one of the team’s strongest units.
A Group Built on Standards and Competition
The Commanders added depth this week, adding Daryl Worley, further strengthening a safety group that Quinn said has “excellent standards.” With players like Martin, Harris, Reaves, Tyler Owens, and now Worley, the team has a blend of youth and veteran savvy that gives the defense balance.
“Our safety group is one of our spots that we’re really proud of because of the work they put in. They have excellent standards. As a group that’s one of the spots man. I love the way they work and the way they compete,” Quinn said.
The message from Quinn was clear. The Commanders are building a defense where safeties play a central role in matching up with today’s versatile offenses. With Martin continuing his steady climb and Harris bringing toughness and flexibility, the unit has the makings of a strength for Washington this season.
Lake Lewis Jr Lake Lewis Jr. is an NFL and Washington Commanders Insider, as well as a contributing NFL Analyst for ABC and CBS Television. He hosts The Lake Lewis Jr. Show on YouTube, Radio One in Washington DC, and most major podcast platforms.
Lewis attended Penn State University and Georgetown University.
Follow him @LakeLewisJr on social media for more NFL coverage. More about Lake Lewis Jr
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