Commanders’ explosive UDFA WR leads pack of 3 underdog rookies that have a chance to shake up training camp in 2026

The Commanders added a ton of new faces to the mix over the last few months and these undrafted rookies are names to keep an eye on during training camp.

Evan Winter NFL Managing Editor
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Jaden Bradley is hoping to get off to a strong start during Commanders training camp.
Jaden Bradley is hoping to get off to a strong start during Commanders training camp. Photo By: Kourtney Carroll/Washington Commanders

The Washington Commanders are searching for answers after a 5-12 season that left general manager Adam Peters and coach Dan Quinn feeling pressure heading into training camp.

Washington has nearly three dozen new faces on its roster after the offseason, and every single one carries a degree of chance to crack the final 53-man roster. Training camp represents the final phase for several underdogs, and three undrafted free agent rookies in particular have a legitimate shot at making noise.

Let’s go ahead and break it down.

1. WR Jaden Bradley

As we all know, the Commanders don’t have a viable No. 2 option behind wide receiver Terry McLaurin in the passing attack and that leaves every other receiver spot open when it comes to guys who can claim the job.

Bradley is a 6-foot-4, 195-pound pass catcher who signed a three-year, $3.1 million contract with Washington that includes $55,000 guaranteed. Now, these kinds of contracts aren’t necessarily an indicator a player will make the team. However, it does show the organization has a lot of faith in him. And, he has the exact size most of his counterparts lack.

With so much fluidity behind McLaurin, anything is possible for Bradley, who finished with 86 receptions for 1,363 yards and seven touchdowns over the course of his college career. He easily had the best year of his career in 2025 with UNLV, catching 58 passes for 931 yards and four touchdowns. That comes out to a 16.1-yard average per reception, and it’s easy to see why Bradley can quickly make a name for himself. He just has to show progress and consistency throughout camp.

2. RB Robert Henry Jr.

The key with Henry is he’s a far more explosive back than any other running back the Commanders currently have on their roster. The former UTSA product brings an unparalleled playmaking ability that none of Washington’s other backs possess.

Sure, Bill Merritt has breakaway speed, good contact balance, and all the tools that will probably make him the Commanders’ top running back this season. He can take the ball the distance when things are right. But Henry offers a different dimension entirely.

If he can put that explosiveness on display in a consistent fashion throughout training camp, the sky is the absolute limit for him.

3. K Drew Stevens

Come on. We all know how inconsistent the Commanders’ kicking situation has been since Peters and Quinn took over.

Stevens and Jake Moody represent the next phase of figuring things out at the position. Moody did well last year, going 10-of-11 on both field goal attempts and point-after attempts. Regardless, it still wasn’t enough for the Commanders’ brass to feel completely sold on him.

And maybe that hesitation is warranted. Washington has lost kickers over the last two years due to legal reasons, injury, and inconsistency. Anything that could go wrong at kicker for this franchise has gone wrong. It was even strange that the Commanders doubled down and signed Matt Gay to a historical contract last year after he showed plenty of inconsistencies himself.

Stevens has a good chance of beating out Moody, but that will depend on his performance and the Commanders’ brass feeling comfortable with their own decision-making. Stevens has the leg, but like Moody, his accuracy has been inconsistent over the years. We’ll just have to see how this all plays out once camp gets rolling.