There is nothing like padded practices. They are physical, aggressive, and intense. They also provide Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn with a better indication of what he has and what more might be needed.
And for one surging rookie looking to make a splash, the first day in pads represented his toughest measuring stick so far. It was a test he aced with flying colors to build even more momentum.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt is gaining more hype than most seventh-round selections around the league. The Commanders saw something in the No. 245 overall selection that others didn't.