Dyami Brown and 4 Commanders players coming of age during 2024 playoffs

Few could have imagined the Washington Commanders being in the NFC Championship game this season. That's exactly where Dan Quinn's squad finds themselves after a sensational campaign.

The Commanders have defied the odds. They've exceeded expectations beyond comprehension. This is a genuine feel-good story with long-term benefits attached. The only way is up from here.

But the job is far from finished.

Washington goes into this weekend's game at the Philadelphia Eagles as heavy underdogs — an all-too-familiar feeling for this group in the postseason. However, their resolve, supreme conviction, and ability to come through in the highest-pressure situations mean they cannot be underestimated by any stretch.

There is a lot of praise to go around. Some gain more media attention than others, but this fairytale run doesn't happen without a collective effort. It was a sink-or-swim situation that brought out the best in everybody.

With this in mind, here are five Commanders players coming of age during the 2024 playoffs. We'll start with resurgent wide receiver Dyami Brown.

Commanders players coming of age during the 2024 playoffs

Dyami Brown - Commanders WR

Things didn't look especially promising for Dyami Brown once upon a time. The wide receiver couldn't firmly establish himself over his first three years with the Washington Commanders under previous head coach Ron Rivera. A similar pattern followed this season.

Then, everything changed.

Brown worked hard, never complained about his situation, and focused on developing key areas of his game. When Noah Brown went down with an injury, fellow wideout Terry McLaurin threw support behind the former third-round pick to step up and fill the void.

He duly delivered. Brown came to life when tasked with more responsibilities. The North Carolina product ended the regular season on a positive note. This gave him the confidence needed to thrive during the postseason.

The Commanders' trust in Brown improved exponentially. He became a dependable target for rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, who praised his work ethic and enhancements as a route technician, was suitably impressed. He's gone from an afterthought to a focal point in the blink of an eye.

Brown ranks third among wide receivers in receiving yards in the playoffs. He was nothing short of sensational at the Detroit Lions, with Amon-Ra St. Brown's criticism when the two clubs last met in 2022 providing the urgency and motivation needed to flourish.

This is a huge step in the right direction at an important time for Brown. It would be a surprise if the Commanders didn't offer him a new deal now.

Quan Martin - Commanders S

Ron Rivera made a lot of draft mistakes during his four-year tenure. None of his first-round selections are still around after general manager Adam Peters' roster regeneration. But the former head coach did leave one or two valuable contributors behind.

Quan Martin is one of them. The dynamic defensive back spent his rookie campaign as a slot cornerback and flashed promise. When two shrewd defensive minds — Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. — came into the organization, things took off for the Illinois product.

Martin was immediately moved back to the safety position. This is where he's best suited and where he shone at the collegiate level. It's not been perfect all the time, but there's been far more good than bad regarding his overall contribution.

As all good players do, Martin's risen to the occasion during the playoffs. He was nothing short of outstanding in the second half of Washington's win at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card round. He followed this up with arguably his most impressive performance to date at the Detroit Lions.

Martin was always around the action. He got involved at the defensive second level and made his presence felt in coverage support on the backend. This was no more evident than his interception in the first half that he took for a touchdown.

Jayden Daniels - Commanders QB

The Commanders' picking Jayden Daniels at No. 2 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft was franchise-altering. It's seen them go from perennial strugglers to a leading Super Bowl challenger in a few short months. Others deserve credit, but having a productive quarterback changes everything.

Daniels takes nothing for granted. He focuses on the next challenge and nothing more. There is no reveling in adulation or getting too ahead of himself. His fierce desire to be the best and help this team quickly became the driving force behind Washington's renaissance.

There is no moment too big for Daniels. His poise, precision, and ability to come through in the clutch astounded everyone. Even in a hostile environment at Ford Field, the former LSU sensation didn't flinch.

One could make a strong case for Daniels being the league's most exceptional performer during the playoffs. He's calm amid the chaos, always delivering for his squad. Everyone associated with the Commanders thinks they have a chance with his presence under center.

This is just the start for Daniels. His exceptional gifts stand the test of time in the NFL. Once the Commanders improve their supporting cast, there's just no telling what this franchise will accomplish.