The Washington Commanders are reporting for training camp this week in Ashburn, Virginia, which means we get to see what this team wants to look like after another busy offseason.

Adam Peters is all-in on rebuilding the roster to in order to create a Super Bowl-contending team and he went back to work on making multiple upgrades with the idea of competing again this season.

Training camp is the last collective step toward shaping a team's 53-man roster. With that being said, let's go ahead and project the Commanders' initial 53-man roster before training camp kicks off.

Note: Players with a single asterisk (*) are 2025 draft picks and players with double asterisks (**) are 2025 undrafted free agents.

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Quarterback (3)

IN: Jayden Daniels, Marcus Mariota, Josh Johnson
OUT: Sam Hartman

The skinny: Washington finally has a franchise quarterback in Jayden Daniels, and actually one of the better QR rooms in the league. Don't sleep on the support system around him though as Marcus Mariota shined when he needed to last season. Josh Johnson is also a veteran, which helps earn him the final spot.

Practice squad prediction: Sam Hartman 

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Running back (4)

IN: Brian Robinson Jr, Austin Ekeler, Jeremy McNichols, Jacory Croskey-Merritt*
OUT: Michael Wiley, Demetric Felton, Chris Rodriguez Jr

The skinny: The Commanders have a lot of bodies, but not a proven running back that can stay healthy for the full season. That's where I believe the fresh legs of rookie Croskey-Merritt elevates his chances of making the roster over some of the others. Regardless, Washington has to run the ball more effectively this season and the depth should help boost that.

Practice squad prediction: Chris Rodriguez Jr.

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Wide receiver (6)

IN: Terry McLaurin, Deebo Samuel, Luke McCaffrey, Noah Brown, K.J. Osborn, Jaylin Lane*
OUT: Kazmeir Allen, Chris Moore, Mike Strachan, Jacoby Jones**, Michael Gallup, Ja'Corey Brooks**

The skinny: Overall, the wide receiver room is one of the more upgraded positions for Washington. Terry McLaurin still leads the way as the top target, but he gets major help with Deebo Samuel and rookie Jaylin Lane. The depth seems to be better as well if veterans Noah Brown and K.J Osborn can contribute in their roles.

Practice squad prediction: Michael Gallup, Ja'Corey Brooks**

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Tight end (3)

IN: Zach Ertz, John Bates, Ben Sinnott
OUT: Lawrence Cager, Cole Turner, Tyree Jackson, Colson Yankoff

The skinny: The main three from last season return, while Yankoff and Jackson make the practice squad an interesting group. Ertz will be another reliable target for Jayden Daniels, while Bates and Sinnott support mostly in the run game for another season before taking over for Ertz. 

Practice squad prediction: Colson Yankoff

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Offensive line (10)

IN: Laremy Tunsil (LT), Brandon Coleman (LG), Tyler Biadasz (C), Sam Cosmi (RG), Josh Conerly Jr. (RT), Nick Allegretti, Andrew Wylie, Trent Scott, Michael Dieter, Nate Herbig
OUT: Foster Sarell, Bobby Hart, Julian Good-Jones, Chris Paul, Tyre Phillips, Timothy McKay**

The skinny: Washington rolls out the best offensive line they've had since Trent Williams was there. Laremy Tunsil is a top five left tackle, and Josh Conerly Jr is a young athletic mover at right tackle with a high ceiling. Coleman also moves back inside where he's more natural making for a dominate front five. Depth helps fill the void while Cosmi recovers from his ACL injury. 

Practice squad prediction: Tyre Phillips, Timothy McKay**

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Defensive line (10)

IN: Von Miller (OLB/ED), Dorance Armstrong (DE), Daron Payne (DT), Javon Kinlaw (DT), Deatrich Wise (DE), Jer'Zhan Newton, Clelin Ferrell, Jacob Martin, Javonte Jean-Baptiste, Sheldon Day
OUT: T.J. Maguranyanga, Norrell Pollard, Viliami Fehoko Jr, Eddie Goldman, Carl Davis, Andre Jones Jr, Jalyn Holmes, Ricky Barber**

The skinny: Von Miller brings the juice off the edge on passing situations so I included him on the defensive line. Wise and Kinlaw look to come in and help in the run game while getting to the quarterback. Newton and Jean-Baptiste continue to grow in their second season, and be part of the young core of the team. Depth boils down to opportunitues, and Sheldon Day and Jacob Martin can produce in limited snaps.

Practice squad prediction: Andre Jones Jr, Jalyn Holmes, Ricky Barber**

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Linebacker (5)

IN: Bobby Wagner (MLB), Frankie Luvu (SAM), Jordan Magee, Nick Bellore (ST), Kain Medrano*

OUT: Ale Kaho**, Dominique Hampton, Kam Arnold**

The skinny: Luvu and Wagner make up for one of the best off-ball linebacker duos in the NFL, and there's a gem just behind them learning, and waiting for his time in Jordan Magee. Magee can turn out to ne the next starter after Wagner retires, and he can see the field a lot more this season if he stays healthy. Bellore is a huge piece on special teams, while rookie Kain Medrano gets a spot with his versatility.

Practice squad prediction: Dominique Hampton, Kam Arnold**

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Cornerback (5)

IN: Marshon Lattimore, Mike Sainristil, Trey Amos*, Jonathan Jones, Noah Igbinoghene
OUT: Allan George, Kevon Seymour, Bobby Price, Fentrell Cypress II**, Car'lin Vigers**

The skinny: The Commanders only need five corners on game day with the versatility everyone brings on the field, and safety Will Harris can play corner in emergency situations as well. The starting three of Lattimore, Sainristil, and Amos provides the lockdown cornerback trio Washington has been missing. Veterans in Jones and Igbinoghene provide valuable depth as well when needed.

Practice squad predictions: Fentrell Cypress II**, Car'lin Vigers**

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Safety (4)

IN: Quan Martin, Will Harris, Percy Butler, Jeremy Reaves,
OUT: Ben Nikkel, Tyler Owens, Robert McDaniel**

The skinny: Washington is rolling out four safeties, and it's for the same reason as corner, the versatility from guys like rookie Kain Medrano provide depth if you need it, and he could even play at safety on sub packages anyways. Martin and Harris are your starters, and Washington needs the depth to step up in a massive way. There's a lot of promise with Owens and McDaniel on the practice squad though. They can be called up if there's an injury.

Practice squad prediction: Tyler Owens, Robert McDaniel**

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Specialists (3)

IN: Matt Gay (K), Tress Way (P), Tyler Ott (LS)
OUT: N/A

The skinny: The Commanders made the switch at kicker, and turned to veteran Matt Gay in place of Zane Gonzalez. Fan favorite Tress Way is still around, and hoing to have an easy job again with the offense staying on the field.

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Final Word

Adding big names like Laremy Tunsil and Deebo Samuel to an offense that already propelled the team to a NFC Championship game is enough to get you excited about what this offense can really do this season. I think young players like Josh Conerly Jr, Jaylin Lane, and Jacory Croskey-Merritt can also contribute right away, and add some fresh skillsets to the core of the team.

The main possible roster shakeups on the offense will be depth at wide receiver, and who can be the last men standing in a busy running back room. Not matter what, Jayden Daniels looks to have a massive second season with a stout offensive line, and plenty of shiny toys to have fun with on the field.

The defense is where things can get worrisome, especially with injuries to a couple key positions like safety. However, new additions like Javon Kinlaw, Trey Amos, and Von Miller really helps out in weaknesses in key positions from the previous year. Bad drafts from the last regime really hurt the young depth on the defense, so hitting on some undrafted rookies could really help the future as well.

The run defense has to vastly improve this season, or we could see another shake up with Daron Payne on his way out. Can the strength at both linebacker and corner help cover up some of the holes on the rest of the defense? It won't take long to find out with the scheudle Washington has.

These 3 Washington Commanders undrafted rookies are ready to outperform expectations, and earn their spot at training camp

These 3 undrafted gems are ready to compete