Commanders' way-too-early 53-man roster projection: Jayden Daniels and the offense are elite but the defense still has questions

The 2025 NFL Draft has officially come and gone. The Washington Commanders, like many other NFL teams, answered some key questions and now it's all about putting the puzzle together.So, which veterans' jobs are on the line and which late-round/undrafted free agents are projected to make the final cut in August? Let's go ahead and […]

Evan Winter — NFL Managing Editor
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Dec 22, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Northwest Stadium.
Peter Casey-Imagn Images

The 2025 NFL Draft has officially come and gone. The Washington Commanders, like many other NFL teams, answered some key questions and now it's all about putting the puzzle together.

So, which veterans' jobs are on the line and which late-round/undrafted free agents are projected to make the final cut in August? Let's go ahead and dive into the post-draft way-too-early 53-man roster projection for the Commanders.

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: This room is chalk. I do think the Commanders keep Johnson around because like Mariota, he's a great influence and his vast experience playing for a bagillion teams is very unique and will provide Daniels with some valuable tidbits to utilize as he continues to develop his game. 

Running back (4)

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

The skinny: Right now, Rodriguez Jr. gets the nod simply because he played special teams last year. It remains to be seen how Croskey-Merritt fits into that picture and I highly doubt anyone is going to try and snatch him before the Commanders can sign him to the practice squad. He'll be a good "call-up player" in 2025 with a chance to really compete in 2026.

Wide receiver (6)

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

The skinny: It'll be interesting to see if Gallup can shake things up a bit, but this group is pretty much set after the draft. Osborn is the most interchangeable of the bunch, so his spot is nowhere guaranteed. But the other five guys are locks to make the final 53 unless something crazy happens.

Dec 30, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (1) during the game against the Detroit Lions at Levi's Stadium.
Deebo Samuel Jr. brings a whole new element to the Commanders offense.Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

Tight end (3)

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

The skinny: This is another room that's basically locked up. Can Yankoff make some strides toward the 53? Out of all the depth guys, he has the best shot.

Offensive line (10)

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

The skinny: All of a sudden, the Commanders offensive line is loaded if Coleman can move to guard and provide effective play. Whether it's at left or right guard. Adam Peters said he's moving to "the right side", so he should battle it out for the right guard until Cosmi returns. At the same time, however, Dan Quinn said at the owner's meetings that Coleman will compete at right tackle, first. The fact they believe Conerly Jr. can play guard, too, makes this a very intriguing competition from the start.

Defensive line (10)

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

The skinny: This breaks down to five defensive ends and four defensive tackles. The Commanders could certainly stand to use a versatile EDGE rusher than can get after quarterbacks from a two- or three-point stance on the outside and then slide inside whenever it's called for. A guy like Za'Darius Smith makes a lot of sense if the money can get worked out. Outside of that, this room is pretty much chalk.

Linebacker (4)

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

The skinny: Wagner and Luvu will be on the field for 100% of defensive snaps if they're both healthy, so figuring out the depth is the story, here. I don't have Medrano making the cut simply because he has to get better at tackling. Whether it's on defense or special teams – if you can't tackle you're not going to be on the field for very long. There's a lot to like about the kid, but that sticks out like a sore thumb. If Magee and Hampton can make some strides then this room will hold a lot of potential for both 2025 and beyond.

Cornerback (5)

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

The skinny: Five corners seems a bit light, but the Commanders have a guy in Quan Martin who can match up in coverage and help with that from time-to-time. Sainristil and Jones can also play both inside and out, so they increase the number, so to speak. It wouldn't hurt to add one more experienced perimeter guy, however, and Amos holds the key to the group's composition. If he shows he's capable of starting, that slides Sainristil back inside, giving the Commanders great depth at nickel and good depth on the outside.

Dec 22, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders cornerback Marshon Lattimore (23) reacts after a penalty during the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Northwest Stadium.
Marshon Lattimore’s first games with the Commanders did not go well.Peter Casey-Imagn Images

Safety (5)

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

The skinny: Like corner, it wouldn't hurt to add another safety, here, because this room will look very shaky if Martin and/or Harris go down for an extended period of time. Regardless, the Commanders have two guys who can play in split- or single-high safety schemes at the top of the pile and both can play the run. How the rest mix in remains to be seen, but if there's anyone who knows how to max out the position, it's Quinn.

Specialists (3)

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

The skinny: It'll be interesting to see if the Commanders add a kicker over the next few weeks. They should simply for competition's sake, because while Gonzalez played well, he shouldn't be considered the absolute answer. Way and Ott, on the other hand, are good to go and it'll be a surprise if they don't make the final 53.

Final Word

The offense has things figured out, minus what happens with Brandon Coleman and the right guard position (things will get smoothed out once Cosmi is back). Regardless, that doesn't take away from the fact that Jayden Daniels and Co. are in prime position to become the NFL's best offense in 2025. At worst, as long as things go to plan, it'll be a Top-5 unit. 

The defense, on the other hand, has some questions to answer. Who steps up as "the man" at edge? Can Javon Kinlaw be the guy the Commanders think he can be and will Johnny Newton take a much-needed step forward? What about cornerback? Will Marshon Lattimore bounce back, can Sainrsitil keep improving, can Jones fight off father time, and will Amos win a starting job? Overall, there are some key questions at important positions that need to be ironed out and we won't have full answers until we're into the season.

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