Dyami Brown feels like he's back in college working in the Washington Commanders' new offense. That could lead to good things in 2024, both for the Burgundy & Gold and Brown himself.
"It's a no-huddle type system," Brown said. "In college, we didn't switch sides. We kind of don't switch sides here. We just want to go and be able to play fast."
Brown, a third-round pick by the Commanders in 2021, was one of the more exciting prospects in that year's receiver class, getting back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons at UNC and becoming the first FBS player since 2000 to average at least 20 yards per catch in consecutive seasons. He was also one of the best contested catchers, as he had 21 such grabs in 2019 and 2020 combined.
Other than a few moments scattered throughout his four-year NFL career, Brown has yet to show off that skill set. He's determined to change that in a new offense led by a different regime.
"I just want to stay consistent, stay focused and be locked in," Brown said.
Brown provided fans with a glimpse of what a "locked in" version of himself looks like back in 2022. He accounted for 105 yards and two touchdowns against the Tennessee Titans in Week 5 that season, which helped the Commanders take a 17-14 lead.
That game was almost two years ago, though, and it was the only real example of him having a demonstrative impact for the offense. Those 105 yards accounted for almost all of the 143 yards he got that season. He's also never had more than 168 yards in a season.
Brown is entering a contract year, but he might have another chance to make a good first impression working under Dan Quinn and his offensive staff. He spent the offseason running routes and catching at least 500 balls per day trying to build upon what he accomplished during OTAs and minicamp in June.
So far, Brown has been catching Quinn's eye in specific areas, particularly when the quarterbacks are trying to scramble and extend plays.
"Seeing his acceleration and ability to run in those spots was good," Quinn said. "Through the spring and even here through training camp, some of the deep ball work has been good. He's got the ability to get on top of somebody."
Brown views those moments as new plays that allow him to create chances for himself and show his new quarterbacks that he can be trusted.
"That right there creates explosive plays...to get momentum going," Brown said.
Making sure the quarterback, whether it's Jayden Daniels or Marcus Mariota, has faith in him to make those plays has been one of Brown's focuses this offseason. He went to Oregon with Mariota, Daniels and several of the Commanders' other receivers to help build a rapport with his teammates. At practice, Brown also stays behind to get extra reps with Daniels to build more chemistry with the No. 2 overall pick.
Brown has worked with his share of quarterbacks over the past four seasons, but he can already see that Daniels brings something different to the offense.
"He has a great arm, and just him being him, even outside of football, he's a great guy with good character and a great personality," Brown said of Daniels. "You can't ask for anything else."
The Commanders' receiver position is largely an open competition aside from players like Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson and third-round pick Luke McCaffrey. That means that no else's spots are safe as the rest of the nine wideouts on the roster compete for three or four spots.
It also means that there is room for another player to establish himself as a top option in the system. Perhaps this is the time for Brown to have the breakout season he and the Commanders have been hoping for.
"It's been smooth," Brown said of practice. "I can't complain about it at all. We're getting into the dog days where you have to fight every day, but every day is a new day. It's a new day of learning and getting one percent better."
