Two recent draft picks headline list of Commanders players on the bubble heading into minicamp
The Washington Commanders kick off minicamp this week and while it's still early, there are plenty of players that could really use the next few days to create some momentum heading into training camp.Whether it's because Washington drafted a rookie that will challenge for a starting job, a guy is on the decline, or whatever […]
The Washington Commanders kick off minicamp this week and while it's still early, there are plenty of players that could really use the next few days to create some momentum heading into training camp.
Whether it's because Washington drafted a rookie that will challenge for a starting job, a guy is on the decline, or whatever – this is the first, full-team function and everyone's chance to start making a name for themselves.
So, with that being said, let's take a look at three guys who are on the bubble heading into mandatory minicamp.
1. T Braeden Daniels
The 2023 fourth-rounder found himself as the lead dog in the race for the starting left tackle job at one point, but that quickly faded away once the Commanders re-signed Cornelius Lucas and drafted Brandon Coleman out of TCU in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
All of a sudden, Daniels finds himself behind both guys, looking up. Teams rarely, if ever, carry three tackles on their roster. And when considering the fact Lucas has been mostly a swing tackle his entire career – it makes even more sense for Washington to carry just two tackles on the 53-man roster.
So, that means Daniels has to get off to a good start this week, because if he rolls into training camp as the No. 3 guy, well, he'll have an uphill battle, for sure.
Obviously, it's tough to make a true evaluation of the trenches when guys are in shorts and t-shirts, but at the same time, showing the coaching staff that he understands when he has to fire off the ball and showing them he is using proper technique can go a long way in determining where he starts out in July.
2. DE Andre Jones Jr.
Again, the trenches are hard to evaluate at this time of the year, but when playing a simple numbers game, it's easy to see why Jones Jr., a 2023 seventh-rounder, needs to have a strong minicamp.
The Commanders have Dorance Armstrong, Clelin Ferrell, and Dante Fowler leading the way at defensive end, right now, with former first-rounder, Jamin Davis, also getting some snaps at EDGE. It's the latter, along with guys like Efe Obada, K.J. Henry, and even 2024 seventh-rounder, Javontae Jean-Baptiste in the mix.
That's obviously a lot of guys at a position that typically only carries 4-5 guys on the 53. Granted, the new kickoff rules may call for more, but that remains to be seen. Either way, it's clear that Jones Jr. needs to make a strong impression this week.
3. WR Dax Milne
Milne hit IR on September 8 of last season and never played a regular season snap, afterward. Prior to that, he had 15 career receptions for 120-yards and a touchdown, along with 40 punt returns for 311-yards and 15 kick returns for 300-yards to his name.
Sure, every job is up for grabs beyond Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson. Teams also tend to carry at least five receivers on a roster. In other words: There's plenty of opportunity to climb the ladder in Washington's receiver room.
At the same time, though, Milne will be competing with 10 other guys and it's safe to bet names like Luke McCaffrey, Jamison Crowder, and Olamide Zaccheaus have a head start. If that is indeed the case, that's five jobs written in paper, already.
Milne will not only need to show he's a capable receiver and run blocker, but he'll also need to lean into his return skills if he wants a shot at making the team. That all starts this week.
