Dominique Hampton may be Washington Commanders' breakout linebacker in 2025, say coaches and fans

Although all eyes this offseason have focused on Jayden Daniels and the much-watched 2024 rookie class, there is one name that is slowly building traction within the Washington Commanders locker room, and that is Dominique Hampton.

The second-year defender, once seen as a developmental project, is now drawing serious praise from position coaches who believe he could step into a key linebacker role in 2025. As chatter builds around the Washington Commanders’ depth at linebacker, Dominique Hampton is emerging as a dark horse to watch.

Washington Commanders linebacker Dominique Hampton turning heads after offseason transformation

Taken in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Dominique Hampton was considered a project player—a guy who didn't fit the prototype of a safety or linebacker.

Having entered the University of Washington, he was better recognized for his physique (6-foot-2, 215 pounds then) and athleticism than for an established NFL role. That script is beginning to change. Now weighing in at 6 feet 3 inches and 220 pounds, Dominique Hampton has gained bulk and flexibility to go along with his new full-time linebacker role. In the estimation of linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr., Dominique Hampton has taken demonstrable strides both physically and mentally.

"Dom has really worked hard this offseason," Norton said. "He's really changed his body. And he's strong, he's fast. He's really upped his ability to communicate playing a middle linebacker. He has to do a great job of communicating. He's really upped his IQ about how to understand the defenses, because being in the middle and making different checks and calls, you have to be right. Now when he says something, he knows it's important because everybody's listening.

" Although restricted to a single appearance as a rookie, Hampton's development has drawn parallels with the likes of Jeremy Chinn, with some insiders predicting he can, in the future, occupy that hybrid safety-linebacker position in Dan Quinn's scheme. While the spotlight has been bright on Jordan Magee, who made a stir as a rookie, and edge rusher Javontae Jean-Baptiste, Hampton has gone under the radar. That probably won't happen for much longer.

The Washington Commanders are thin on proven depth at linebacker, and that could be a sign of the faith they have in young talent like Hampton.Also read: Jack Bech, Las Vegas Raiders rookie WR, is obsessed with the stability of the mountainsIf Hampton keeps moving in the right direction, he not only might make the 53-man roster but push for rotational—or even starting—reps midway through the season. The Washington Commanders may have found a linebacker who can do more than just fill the gap—he could be a defensive stalwart in the making. As the 2025 season draws near, don't expect the Commanders' linebacker discussion to start—and stop—with Dominique Hampton.