Commanders 53-man Roster Projection After Second Preseason Game: Running back room shaken up with Robinson Jr. news
The Commanders have some tough decisions to make.
There’s only one preseason game left in the offseason for the Washington Commanders, and there are some notable shakeups in my latest 53-man roster projections.
The team continues to make changes to the roster, and the biggest change seems to be happening soon with RB Brian Robinson Jr. on his way out of Washington. The second preseason game did influence my thoughts on a couple of positions.
Note: Players with a single asterisk (*) are 2025 draft picks, and players with double asterisks (**) are 2025 undrafted free agents.
Quarterback (3)
IN: Jayden Daniels, Marcus Mariota, Josh Johnson
OUT: Sam Hartman
The skinny: Sam Hartman and Josh Johnson rotated time in the second preseason game, and honestly, both should be out as QB3. I’m giving the leg up to Johnson right now due to his experience, and he looked better in the first preseason game. Hartman is 13 for 29 for 93 yards, zero touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Practice squad prediction: Sam Hartman
Running Back (4)
IN: Chris Rodriguez Jr, Austin Ekeler, Jeremy McNichols, Bill Croskey-Merritt*
OUT: Kazmeir Allen, Demetric Felton, Brian Robinson Jr.
The skinny: This is where the biggest shake-up is. Brian Robinson Jr. seems to be on his way out of Washington, and Chris Rodriguez Jr. is starting to emerge as the new power back to complement Croskey-Merritt. Rodriguez Jr. cracked off a 40-yard run against the Bengals.
Practice squad prediction: Demetric Felton
Wide Receiver (6)
IN: Terry McLaurin, Deebo Samuel, Luke McCaffrey, Noah Brown, Jaylin Lane*, Ja’Corey Brooks**
OUT: Chris Moore, River Cracraft, Jacoby Jones**, Michael Gallup, K.J. Osborn, Braylon Sanders, Tay Martin
The skinny: The passing game has been horrible in the two preseason games, and the wide receivers aren’t helping much. Jaylin Lane was the breakout wide receiver in the second preseason game, but the final spot is still in the air for me. Brooks gets the nod for now.
Practice squad prediction: Michael Gallup, K.J. Osborn
Tight End (3)
IN: Zach Ertz, John Bates, Ben Sinnott
OUT: Lawrence Cager, Cole Turner, Colson Yankoff
The skinny: The tight end room won’t change at all, but I have to give a shoutout to John Bates being an absolute demon of a blocker on Monday night. He was fully responsible for the three biggest runs in the first quarter.
Practice squad prediction: Colson Yankoff
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, George Fant.
OUT: Foster Sarell, Bobby Hart, Julian Good-Jones, Chris Paul, Tyre Phillips, Lucas Niang, Timothy McKay**
The skinny: The Commanders added veteran tackle George Fant, which shows me that they wanted more depth at the tackle position, and Wylie can fill in at guard where he’s needed. The offensive line is deeper than it has been, and cuts will be tough.
Practice squad prediction: Tyre Phillips, Timothy McKay**
Defensive Line (10)
IN: Von Miller (OLB/ED), Dorance Armstrong (DE), Daron Payne (DT), Javon Kinlaw (DT), Deatrich Wise (DE), Jer’Zhan Newton, Eddie Goldman, Jacob Martin, Clelin Ferrell, Sheldon Day
OUT: T.J. Maguranyanga, Norrell Pollard, Carl Davis, Andre Jones Jr, Jalyn Holmes, Ricky Barber**, Javontae Jean-Baptiste
The skinny: I had to move Jean-Baptiste to the off list simply because he’s missed so much time being injured. Ferell is taking his spot, and he looked good against the Bengals. The pass rush looks improved already, and Jacob Martin looks like a steal.
Practice squad prediction: Javontae Jean-Baptiste, Jalyn Holmes, Ricky Barber**
Linebacker (5)
IN: Bobby Wagner (MLB), Frankie Luvu (SAM), Jordan Magee, Duke Riley, Kain Medrano*
OUT: Ale Kaho**, Nick Bellore, Kam Arnold**
The skinny: I made a surprise switch. I think Bellore gets cut due to his limited play on defense. Even Quinn pointed it out when he talked about Dom Hampton being released. They need depth at LB, and someone who can play special teams too, so I kept Duke Riley.
Practice squad prediction: Kam Arnold**, Nick Bellore
Cornerback (5)
IN: Marshon Lattimore, Mike Sainristil, Trey Amos*, Jonathan Jones, Noah Igbinoghene
OUT: Kevon Seymour, Bobby Price, Car’lin Vigers**, Essang Bassey, Antonio Hamilton Jr.
The skinny: I think the Commanders only need to keep five corners, especially with Will Harris’ ability to play corner in an emergency, and there’s not a single depth guy worth keeping at this point. The sixth and seventh guys have been getting cooked hibachi style for two weeks now.
Practice squad predictions: Kevon Seymour, Car’lin Vigers**
Safety (4)
IN: Quan Martin, Will Harris, Percy Butler, Jeremy Reaves,
OUT: Ben Nikkel, Tyler Owens, Robert McDaniel**, Daryl Worley
The skinny: It’s really hard to leave Tyler Owens off the list, but I don’t see them keeping 5 and taking away from another position on defense. He could be an easy call-up from the practice squad if someone goes down, but Reaves is going to be getting a bigger role on defense.
Practice squad prediction: Tyler Owens, Robert McDaniel**
Specialists (3)
IN: Matt Gay (K), Tress Way (P), Tyler Ott (LS)
OUT: N/A
The skinny: Matt Gay has been solid again after missing a kick in the first preseason game, and the team said they have no desire to bring in competition.
Overall, this has been the biggest change I’ve made so far, with one more preseason game remaining, and the roster cuts will not be easy at some positions. The Commanders could also continue to add to the roster as other roster cuts happen around the league.
Washington Commanders News
Playoff contender highlights five hypothetical trade partners for Brian Robinson Jr. as his time with the Commanders comes to a close
The Commanders should talk to these teams and hope for similar trade packages.
