Tag: Frankie Luvu

Panthers OLB D.J. Wonnum forecasted as team’s biggest bust for 2024 season

Is Panthers OLB D.J. Wonnum in line for a disappointing 2024 campaign?

Some may see Carolina Panthers outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum as a potential breakout candidate for the 2024 season. But others may view him as quite the opposite.

The latter party includes Bleacher Report’s David Kenyon, who recently predicted each NFL team’s biggest bust for the upcoming campaign. He tabs Wonnum for Carolina:

Twice in four seasons with Minnesota, DJ Wonnum notched eight sacks. That upside looks good, but it also happened opposite Danielle Hunter. Wonnum doesn’t have that luxury in Carolina, which generated the NFL’s fewest pressures in 2023 and traded Brian Burns this offseason.

In addition to Burns, the Panthers also said their goodbyes to fellow outside linebackers Frankie Luvu and Yetur Gross-Matos. The departed trio ended up as the defense’s three-leading sack getters of 2023.

Wonnum, who signed a two-year, $12.5 million deal this spring, will also have to overcome a setback of his own. The 26-year-old sustained a torn quadricep in the Minnesota Vikings’ Week 16 matchup against the Detroit Lions back in December.

Head coach Dave Canales told reporters in early June that Wonnum was still working through his road to recovery.

“Just working through some different things,” Canales said. “He had some complications . . . he had a quadricep tendon rupture there. And so he had a repair and there was some different things they had to clean out. So it’s kinda just like this back-and-forth trying to get him as healthy as we can so we can get him on the field and get him back to full speed. So he’s still kinda working through some of those things.”

Wonnum did not participate in the team’s spring workouts.

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Frankie Luvu predicted to be Commanders’ non-QB MVP for 2024 season

Everyone believes Frankie Luvu will have a big season in 2024.

The Washington Commanders signed several players in free agency this offseason. General manager Adam Peters had a tall task in front of him: upgrading a 4-13 roster. He used free agency to raise Washington’s floor without sacrificing any future long-term flexibility.

Peters handed out mostly one-year contracts this offseason. A select few did receive multi-year deals, including linebacker Frankie Luvu.

Luvu, 27, is coming off back-to-back impressive seasons for the Carolina Panthers, where he recorded a combined 12.5 sacks. In addition to being an every-down linebacker, Luvu also served in a pass-rushing role for the Panthers, which is similar to how he’ll be used by Washington head coach Dan Quinn.

Expectations are high for Luvu, with some predicting he’ll make his first Pro Bowl in 2024.

Ben Standig of The Athletic believes Luvu will have a big season, too. The Athletic recently named one non-quarterback MVP for all 32 NFL teams, and Standig chose Luvu for Washington.

Micah Parsons wasn’t one of the several familiar faces head coach Dan Quinn brought over from his three-year stint with the Cowboys. Bummer. However, the three-time All-Pro is mentioned frequently in Washington because his linebacker/edge rusher role did travel with Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. Luvu, one of the Commanders’ primary free-agent signings this offseason, arrived with the versatility required to play multiple spots. At 27, Luvu is an ascending talent coming off back-to-back 100-tackle seasons with 12 1/2 combined sacks. He will play every down, and the defensive personnel will shift depending on where the coaches deploy this aggressive playmaker.

While Parsons didn’t follow Quinn to Washington, the head coach and defensive coordinator, Joe Whitt Jr., have an idea of how they want to use Luvu. With Bobby Wagner signed to play middle linebacker, that frees up Luvu to be in a more playmaking role for Washington’s defense in 2024.

If Luvu plays in every game, he could put up the best numbers of his career, which would make him a reasonable choice for non-QB MVP.

Is there a chance the Commanders trade or release linebacker Jamin Davis before Week 1?

The 2024 season is massive for Jamin Davis. Is his roster spot safe this summer?

Washington Commanders linebacker Jamin Davis is thrilled about the franchise’s offseason changes. As a first-round pick of the previous regime who has yet to live up to his status, you’d think Davis would be nervous. He’s not. Davis is excited about the possibilities of playing under new head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.

Over the last few seasons, the Commanders have had one of the NFL’s worst linebacking groups. This offseason, general manager Adam Peters rectified that by signing Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner in free agency.

What did that mean for Davis?

While he is no longer a starting linebacker, Quinn plans to use Davis more in a pass-rushing role. Davis showed potential in the rare opportunities to rush the passer under the previous coaching staff.

Is this a case of the new staff trying to make something work for Davis, or do they see real potential in him as a pass rusher?

Quinn has praised Davis this offseason for his work on learning a new position. Davis has worked with the pass rushers in practice.

However, what if Washington doesn’t see enough progression from Davis as a rusher in training camp. Would it keep him only as a backup linebacker, or could the Commanders trade or release him ahead of Week 1?

Nothing is set in stone these days. Peters and Quinn did not draft Davis. He will need to shine in his pass-rushing opportunities to show he has a role in 2024.

The Commanders declined Davis’ fifth-year option for 2025, but that’s not a surprise. It also does not mean the team would not be interested in retaining him if he has an excellent season. The upcoming season is truly a make-or-break year for Jamin Davis.

PFF leaves Commanders linebackers out of the top 15

Is PFF too low on Washington’s linebackers?

You could argue that no position group improved more this offseason than the Washington Commanders linebackers. That happens when you add a future Hall of Famer like Bobby Wagner.

Wagner wasn’t Washington’s only new addition, though. The Commanders signed former Carolina Panther Frankie Luvu to a three-year deal. For as highly regarded as Wagner is, some believe Luvu is on the verge of a breakout year playing for Washington coach Dan Quinn.

In his annual projections for the upcoming season, ESPN’s Mike Clay ranked Washington’s linebackers No. 1 across the entire NFL. That’s quite the improvement, considering it was arguably the NFL’s worst group last season.

Pro Football Focus has also been ranking every NFL position group. This week, it was the linebackers. PFF wasn’t as high on Washington’s linebackers, ranking them 17th.

The Commanders made splash signings at linebacker in free agency, adding Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu. Despite his advancing years, Wagner posted an 82.4 PFF overall grade and a 91.5 run-defense grade. His 60.0 coverage grade left something to be desired, though.

Luvu can make an impact against the run and in coverage but also offers the ability to make plays as a blitzer, registering 20 quarterback pressures on 104 pass-rushing snaps last season.

Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. are unlikely to leave Wagner in coverage too often. As far as PFF’s rankings, these appear a bit low for the Commanders.

What about the rest of the NFC East?

  • 5. New York Giants
  • 19. Dallas Cowboys
  • 30. Philadelphia Eagles

Rankings are subjective. Are New York’s linebackers better than the combo of Wagner/Luvu? Not so sure about that one.

Bold prediction for Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu

Everyone believes Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu will have a big year.

How good can Frankie Luvu be for the Washington Commanders in 2024? Luvu has a lot of fans from across the NFL, with many calling him one of the offseason’s best free-agent signings, regardless of the team.

Earlier this offseason, Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar — a noted film guru — ranked Luvu as the NFL’s second linebacker heading into 2024, behind only 49ers star Fred Warner.

Here is some of what Farrar said about Luvu:

The former Panthers star signed a three-year, $31 million deal with the Commanders that includes $14,625 in guarantees, and he’s earned that after a year in which he had seven sacks, 20 total pressures, 84 solo tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 47 stops, and two forced fumbles. In coverage, Luvu allowed 38 catches on 51 targets for 371 yards, 240 yards after the catch, two touchdowns, no interceptions, five pass breakups, and an opponent passer rating of 107.6. Luvu did all of this on a defense that didn’t present a ton of star power around him. Now that he’s with Dan Quinn in the nation’s capital, we could see a higher level from Luvu.

As much as anybody on this list, Luvu brings a fully-realized skill set in which he’s at or near the top at so many things. He attacks from the line of scrimmage like a legitimate edge defender, and he’s a real pain when covering opposing receivers all over the field.

How can Washington fans not be excited about Luvu?

Farrar isn’t the only one who sees big things for the versatile 27-year-old star.

Conor Orr of Sports Illustrated recently made 100 bold predictions for the 2024 NFL season. He sees Luvu making the Pro Bowl.

The Commanders’ linebacker was awesome for equally terrible Jets and Panthers teams in recent years, posting massive tackle numbers and serving as an apt pass rusher situationally. Now with Dan Quinn and working alongside a block-gobbling Bobby Wagner, Luvu can excel and get the notoriety he deserves.

Luvu has played on some terrible teams, and while Washington was terrible in 2023, playing for Dan Quinn changes everything. Quinn is known for getting the most out of his players. Quinn identifies where each player best fits and turns them loose. Luvu’s versatility could have him on the verge of stardom for the Commanders.

Commanders rookie linebacker named most surprising player during OTAs/minicamp

Washington’s rookie linebacker had an impressive spring.

The Washington Commanders went from having the NFL’s worst linebacking unit in 2023 to one that some consider the best in 2024.

Washington’s fortunes changed in March when it signed Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu in free agency. Wagner, a future Hall of Famer, can still play but was also brought to Washington to mentor the younger players. He appreciates this role.

Luvu comes to the Commanders in the prime of his career. Many believe he was one of free agency’s most underrated signings and could become a star playing for Dan Quinn.

So, while all eyes are on Wagner and Luvu, the Commanders also have a rookie linebacker. Washington used a fifth-round pick on Temple linebacker Jordan Magee. While some fifth-round picks are considered projects, there was excitement surrounding Magee.

Magee’s name kept coming up throughout the spring as a player who had impressed coaches. He’s wisely attached himself to Wagner, too.

ESPN recently named one player who surprised from each team throughout the OTAs and minicamp. John Keim chose Magee.

It’s uncertain how much playing time Magee will receive this season. But the fifth-round pick clearly made a strong first impression — enough to where a position of weakness the past several years can now be considered a strength. The Commanders signed starters Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu in free agency. They already had Jamin Davis, but because of the newcomers they’re trying him as an edge rusher. Magee is part of the reason for the optimism. They like how he played in coverage this spring; they also believe he showed he can be an effective blitzer. He’s someone they’re excited about for the future. “He doesn’t carry himself like a rookie,” defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. said. “You would not know that with the way he handles himself, the way he absorbs information. He doesn’t [make] a lot of mistakes.”

Magee is in an excellent position. The Commanders do not need him on defense in 2024. Magee can learn under Wagner while helping Washington out on special teams.

The previous staff either ignored the linebacker position or didn’t know how to find one. In the first year under general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn, the Commanders have the best linebackers they’ve had in years and haven’t even stepped on the field yet. You can add Magee to Washington’s reasons for optimism.

Commanders LB Bobby Wagner eager to pass along his knowledge and experience

Bobby Wagner explains why he enjoys being a mentor for others.

When the Washington Commanders signed future Hall of Fame linebacker Bobby Wagner in March, they signed him for his production on the field and to teach others how to be a pro.

It’s a role the 13-year veteran embraced. Wagner shared that he reached out to Washington great London Fletcher as a young player for advice. Fletcher obliged.

So, throughout his career, Wagner has tried to be that same type of mentor for others. Rookie linebacker Jordan Magee is his latest understudy. Magee said he wanted to sit under Wagner’s learning tree.

While some veteran players scoff at being seen as a mentor, that’s not Wagner. He explained why this week to Scott Abraham of ABC 7 in Washington.

“I think you just share the knowledge,” Wagner said. “I was very fortunate to have the people that I reached out to give me that knowledge back. So, I think it’s only for me to do the same for the people coming up after me. So, anybody that reaches out and wants advice, I’ll give it to them because that’s what they did for me.”

What a terrific perspective. You don’t need to be a linebacker to benefit from Wagner’s knowledge and experience. Others, including rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, have looked to Wagner for help, and Wagner said he and the team will do everything to get Daniels ready.

The Commanders haven’t had great linebacker play in years. While Wagner may not be the same player he was five years ago, he was still phenomenal last season. That tells you how great he was in his prime. The combination of Wagner and Frankie Luvu at linebacker are game changers for Washington.

Commanders coach Dan Quinn names 3 defensive players who’ve impressed

Quinn mentions three players who stood out in the spring.

If there is one phrase that Washington fans do not want to hear anymore, it’s “position-flex.” Former head coach Ron Rivera would say that during almost every press conference throughout his four years. Apparently, under the old staff, it was more important to be versatile than good.

With only 53 roster spots, “position-flex” is essential. However, new head coach Dan Quinn uses a different word: Versatile.

The difference between then and now is that you must be versatile and good to play for Quinn.

During his final press conference of the offseason before Washington’s break, Quinn was asked about versatile players being used in different spots and if anyone had emerged. He named three players.

“I would say some of what I was hoping to see I did, and maybe that’s with (S Jeremy) Chinn,” Quinn said. “I would say it’s been good to see (DB Quan) Martin, you know, some down in the box, but some as a middle-field safety. (LB Frankie) Luvu, although I knew that was part of his game, I’d say it was probably even stronger than I thought. So those would be some, you know, that jump out to me.”

Martin is entering his second NFL season after Washington drafted him in the second round last season. He can line up all over the secondary and is projected to start at safety in 2024.

Chinn and Luvu both come from Carolina. Luvu was among the more sought-after free agents in March because of his versatility. He could play inside, but he’s more impactful when he’s moved around. Washington signing Bobby Wagner allows them to use Luvu in various ways.

Chinn is a wild card for the Commanders. He was phenomenal as a rookie in 2020 but battled injuries and multiple coaching changes since. He is big and athletic and is the type of player Quinn has often had success with. Chinn believes playing for Washington will make him a much better player.

By Quinn naming these three players, he wasn’t saying no one else had impressed him. He said those three names first came to his mind.

Washington’s defense will be better in 2024. There’s nowhere to go but up, and players like Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne will love this style of defense.

Panthers ranked as bottom-5 defense going into 2024 season

Could this offseason’s losses take a major toll on the Panthers defense in 2024?

Yeah, we know what you’re probably thinking after reading the title of this post.

How can a defense that allowed the fourth-fewest yards last season be considered one of the very worst going into the next season? Crazy, right?

Well, not according to Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder.

Holder recently ranked what he believes to be the five worst defenses ahead of the 2024 campaign. In as the third-worst unit is that of the Carolina Panthers, who haven’t had one of their very best defenders on the field much:

With most of the attention placed on quarterback Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers’ offensive struggles last season, the fact that their defense allowed the fourth-most points per game (24.5) was often overlooked. A big reason for that is cornerback Jaycee Horn only participated in six games.

Horn has been good when on the field during his three-year career; however, injuries have plagued the 2021 first-rounder since he entered the NFL, as he’s missed more games than he’s played in (29 to 22). So at this stage, the South Carolina product can’t be trusted to stay healthy enough to help Carolina’s defense turn things around in the fall.

Also mentioned are the losses of outside linebackers Brian Burns, Frankie Luvu and Yetur-Gross Matos, the group’s three top sack getters of 2023. And while the Panthers are trying to replace that production with free-agent signees Jadeveon Clowney and D.J. Wonnum, Holder doesn’t believe the new pass rushers will be as effective with a lack of other big-time talent around them.

We must also consider Carolina’s lack of big-time plays in 2023. The Panthers ranked last in both sacks (27) and takeaways (11) this past season.

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Commanders coach Dan Quinn explains what he wants to see from LB Jamin Davis

Dan Quinn discusses what he wants to see from Jamin Davis.

This is a make-or-break season for Washington Commanders linebacker Jamin Davis. The 2021 first-round pick has had an up-and-down career through three seasons. Davis has shown flashes of solid play but nothing spectacular.

Washington turned down Davis’ fifth-year option for 2025 this spring, which meant Davis would need a strong 2024 season to earn a new contract from the Commanders. The bad news for Davis is that Washington signed linebackers Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu in free agency. That means an altered role for Davis in 2024, which is something he is looking forward to.

Davis is excited about playing for head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. His altered role could be more in the role of situational pass rusher.

Last week, Quinn spoke of what he wanted to see from Davis.

“Yeah, I think that’s a natural question,” Quinn told reporters last week. “At the end of a contract, or you’re in a contract year and what does that look like? But more important, even more than that is like this improvement. And we’re trying to really push him specifically on the versatility. So you’ll see him working some with the defensive line, you’ll see him working with (pass rush specialist) Ryan Kerrigan on the side, and we’re adding parts to his game that maybe we didn’t use and we’re certainly trying to explore that. And so, if that’s something that he can add value for himself and for the team, then we’ll dig in and that’ll take a while as well. That’s not something that’s in one practice or in one week to say, ‘OK, it’s there.’ Let’s take the time and work through it. I’ve been very impressed by his work ethic.”

Those are certainly some positive comments from Quinn. He sees something in Davis, and this goes back to his previous comments about finding the things players do well and putting them in positions to succeed. Davis is athletic and could thrive as a situational pass rusher.