Hogs Haven
It’s easy to forget how long Chris Paul has been in the building.
He’s not one of the new faces of Dan Quinn’s retooled Washington Commanders, nor is he one of the early-round cornerstones added since the new staff took over in 2024. He’s not the shiny draft pick or the veteran free agent who made headlines in the offseason, either.
But through seven weeks of the 2025 season, Paul—a 6-foot-4, 325-pound seventh-rounder from Tulsa selected all the way back in 2022 — has quietly become one of the most reliable players on the roster.
For a guy who, entering this fall, had never played more than 67 offensive snaps in a single season, for most of his career, Paul was buried on the depth chart —first under a revolving door of coaches and then behind draft pedigree. He was a carryover from the Ron Rivera experiment, a player most assumed would fade out when the new regime began reshaping the roster. In a league where former staff holdovers are often among the first to go, Paul’s persistence has been his lifeline.
What’s kept him in the mix, however, isn’t luck. It’s competition, execution, and a player taking advantage of the opportunity in front of him.
When Quinn arrived last year, one of his first public declarations was that competition is the oxygen of growth.
Every position, every rep, every snap in camp would be earned, not given.
The offensive line was a clear focus, and the Commanders spent the 2024 draft investing there using third-round capital on Brandon Coleman (TCU). He was supposed to be the future — a powerful, yet fluid athlete with upside and alignment versatility.
But when training camp opened this summer following an up and down rookie campaign for Coleman, something started to happen. Paul, now entering his fourth year, didn’t just hold his own. He outplayed Coleman.
He didn’t miss assignments. He didn’t lose one-on-ones. His technique was clean, his anchor strong, and his communication seamless.
By the time Week 3 rolled around after not appearing in the opener, Paul was in the lineup —and he’s been there ever since, starting five straight games and solidifying the left guard spot.
For offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, his offensive vision in Washington is built on rhythm and angles.
He wants athletic linemen who can protect in space but still win with power in the box. His front-five philosophy leans toward wide-bodied players in the upper half — guards and tackles who can handle interior twists, fend off long-armed rushers, and maintain leverage against power fronts.
Paul checks every box.
At 325 pounds, Paul is dense in his lower half and powerful through his hips. He’s not a naturally twitchy mover, but his first step and hand placement make up for it. His body control in his sets allows him to stay square on defenders, an essential trait when protecting a right-handed quarterback’s semi-blind side like Jayden Daniels’.
Kingsbury’s scheme...
