Frankie Luvu is one of 5 Commanders players who may have just lost their roster spot after the 2026 NFL Draft
The Commanders took a few players in the draft that can easily push some guys down the roster or even out the door. Let’s take a look at who those guys are and talk about why they’re in a tough spot.
The offseason is all about getting better and unfortunately, that means some players have to be demoted or replaced in order for that to happen.
That’s certainly the case for the Washington Commanders after a draft that saw them add a total of 15 players when counting the six picks and nine UDFAs that were signed after.
So, let’s not waste any time and dive straight in.
Key questions after the Commanders’ 2026 NFL Draft
The Commanders filled some needs, but questions still remain at a few key positions.
- Who steps up next to Terry McLaurin and becomes WR2?
- Can the secondary bounce back?
- Will Sonny Styles be the impact player the team needs him to be in Year 1?
5 Commanders players who should brace for change after the 2026 NFL Draft
1. LB Frankie Luvu
Luvu had a very good 2024 season, but couldn’t follow it up in 2025 due to various reasons. Yes, a lot of it was out of his control. It doesn’t change the fact, however, that Sonny Styles is now on the team and he can do everything Luvu can, but better.
With Leo Chenal also in the fold, life is likely to look a lot different for Luvu moving forward. It’ll be a surprise if Styles doesn’t climb the depth chart and end up starting Day 1, knocking Luvu into more of a depth/rotational role.
Luvu is still a useful player. He just won’t be used as much in 2026 and it’s easy to see why.
2. RB Jerome Ford
Ford was viewed as the Commanders’ likely RB3 or RB4 heading into the draft, but now he could sink as low as RB5 after the addition of Kaytron Allen.
Ford’s specialty is in the passing game, but the Commanders already have two capable backs in Rachaad White and Jeremy McNichols. The team loves the latter, as well, due to his special teams impact, so he could be locked in by the time we’re at the midway point in training camp.
Allen is a good player and he’s already a solid pass protector. That in itself could give the Commanders enough reason to place him over Ford. Either way, Ford needs to have a very good offseason.
3. OL Nick Allegretti
Right now, Allegretti is viewed as the leading candidate for the Commanders’ starting, but that could change due to sixth-round rookie Matt Gulbin’s presence.
Gulbin is limited athletically, but he’s an extremely intelligent player who can really sniff out what a defense is doing before the ball is snapped. Being a potential step ahead can really help offset his limited athleticism and it obviously puts Jayden Daniels and the offense in a great spot ahead of the upcoming play.
That trait in itself makes Gulbin a total wildcard heading into offseason workouts. It’ll be fun to track his progress.
4. WR Treylon Burks
Burks is a former first-round pick, so the talent is there. He’s just never been able to stay healthy, nor development, at the pace needed to become a viable receiver in the NFL.
He showed a flash or two last year, prompting some to think he can better establish himself on the roster now that he has a full offseason to train with the team. That changes, though, with Antonio Williams now in the mix.
Burks and Williams are likely to play two different positions – the latter is projected as more of a slot receiver than a boundary guy like the former. However, the trickle-down effect with the Williams addition is it should push guys like Luke McCaffrey, Dyami Brown, and even Jaylin Lane more on the outside, which obviously eats into Burks’ chances of getting snaps and targets.
Burks already had an uphill battle for sizable playing time and it got a whole lot steeper after the Commanders drafted Williams.
5. QB Sam Hartman
The Commanders clearly want competition for Hartman after drafting Athan Kaliakmanis with their last pick in the draft.
The Commanders didn’t need to draft a quarterback, yet they chose to do so despite still needing help at cornerback and safety. They hadn’t taken either of those positions at that point, either. Meaning, they must really like Kaliakmanis.
In the Commanders defense, there are traits to like about Kaliakmanis, mainly his size and arm strength. His accuracy and decision-making are suspect, however, even if he did improve both in 2025.
Either way, Hartman needs to be prepared to split reps and he can quickly find himself as QB4 if he can’t keep pace with Kaliakmanis.