Commanders’ way-too-early 53-man roster projection: Rookie steals job from former first-rounder, another change at a key position, and more
OTAs and minicamp are over, which means training camp is on the horizon. So, in the meantime, let’s check in and see what the future Commanders 53-man roster will look like.
OTAs and minicamp are out of the way, which means the Washington Commanders are now gearing up for training camp.
So, what better time than now to put out a new 53-man roster projection?
A few changes have occurred since the last projection, which isn’t surprising. Teams are constantly toying with the bottom portion of the roster in hopes of finding that diamond in the rough that can contribute meaningful snaps at some point during the season.
With that being said, let’s go ahead and discuss said changes and what they mean for the future.
Note: Players with a single asterisk (*) are 2026 draft picks and players with double asterisks (**) are 2026 undrafted free agents.
Commanders’ way-too-early 53-man roster projection ahead of training camp
Quarterback (2)
IN: Jayden Daniels, Marcus Mariota
OUT: Sam Hartman, Athan Kaliakmanis*
The skinny: The quarterback room is the most boring group on the team, and that’s a good thing. It means things are set in place. Unless a major injury hits Jayden Daniels or Marcus Mariota, expect Sam Hartman or Athan Kaliakmanis to land on the practice squad. Right now, if I’m guessing, it’s Kaliakmanis simply based on draft pedigree.
Running back (4)
IN: Rachaad White, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Jeremy McNichols, Kaytron Allen*
OUT: Jerome Ford, Robert Henry Jr.**
The skinny: The biggest question in the backfield is whether Jerome Ford can make enough plays to crack the 53. The same goes for Robert Henry Jr., an explosive undrafted free agent looking to carve out a role in a crowded room. If neither breaks through, expect Rachaad White, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Jeremy McNichols, and Kaytron Allen to lead the way. Washington has already signaled a running back by committee approach unless one player emerges as the clear No. 1 option.
Wide receiver (6)
IN: Terry McLaurin, Antonio Williams*, Luke McCaffrey, Dyami Brown, Jalin Layne, Jaden Bradley**
OUT: Treylon Burks, Nick Nash, Jacoby Jones, Van Jefferson, Chris Hilton Jr.**
The skinny: The wide receiver competition comes down to Jayden Bradley and Treylon Burks for the final spot. I don’t have much faith in Burks, the former first-round pick who flamed out in Tennessee. Sure, he had that amazing touchdown catch against the Broncos last year, but his overall body of work since entering the NFL has not been impressive. Bradley has turned heads in camp, so, I’m betting on the young, hungry player who wants to make the roster over the former first-rounder who has yet to put it all together.
Tight end (4)
IN: Chigoziem Okonkwo, John Bates, Ben Sinnott, Colson Yankoff
OUT: Lawrence Cager, Quentin Moore**, Anthony Firkser
The skinny: Tight end is pretty much set. Okonkwo has generated plenty of buzz because he brings a new element the Commanders haven’t had at the position since Daniels became the starting quarterback. Bates remains the blocking tight end, Sinnott can contribute, and Yankoff has been making plays. Unless Firkser or Cager absolutely balls out, the room is locked in.
Offensive line (9)
IN: Laremy Tunsil (LT), Sam Cosmi (RG), Nick Allegretti (C), Brandon Coleman (LG), Josh Conerly (RT), Chris Paul, Matt Gulbin*, Trent Scott, Andrew Wylie
OUT: Timothy McKay, Julian Good-Jones, Tyler Cooper, Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, Foster Sarell, Tona Togiai**
The skinny: On the offensive line, the battles to watch are at center and left guard. Gulbin and Allegretti will compete at center, while Paul and Coleman fight it out at left guard. Those are the four names to monitor. Scott should win the swing tackle spot and Wylie can play both tackle and guard. I don’t see any of the lower-end depth options breaking through.
Defensive line (6)
IN: Daron Payne, Tim Settle, Javon Kinlaw, Jer’Zhan Newton, Charles Omenihu, Deatrich Wise
OUT: Jeffrey M’ba**, Shy Tuttle, Ricky Barber, DJ Davidson
The skinny: The defensive line is largely set, though Wise’s return from injury bears watching. He didn’t practice during OTAs or minicamp, and his availability for training camp remains uncertain. If he can’t go, the other guys could take advantage of the missed reps. Outside of that wrinkle, expect Washington to roll with these six guys up front.
Linebacker (4)
IN: Sonny Styles*, Frankie Luvu, Leo Chenal, Jordan Magee
OUT: Kain Medrano, Nick Bellore, Ale Kaho
The skinny: On paper, the linebacker position is the strongest group on the Commanders roster. Styles, Luvu, Chanel, and Magee should all play considerable snaps in 2026, and Durante Jones will find plenty of ways to deploy them across the formation. Remember, the coaching staff was high on Magee before Styles and Chenal entered the picture. I expect him to make a splash as soon as training camp begins.
EDGE/Outside Linebacker (5)
IN: Odafe Oweh, K’Lavon Chaisson, Dorance Armstrong, Joshua Josephs*, Javontae Jean-Baptiste
OUT: Drake Jackson, DJ Johnson, Andre Carter II, T.J. Maguranyanga
The skinny: At EDGE, the two questions are when Dorrance Armstrong will be ready after his season-ending injury and who claims that final spot. Right now, I’m giving it to Jean-Baptiste. He’s shown enough over the past couple of years and has the traits to rush out of a two-point stance. I’m out on Drake Jackson, the former second-rounder. He’s not the player Washington needs in that role, and the remaining options don’t pack the same punch.
Cornerback (6)
IN: Trey Amos, Mike Sainristil, Amik Robertson, Akhello Witherspoon, Tyler Owens, Antonio Hamilton Sr.
OUT: Darius Rush, Fred Davis II**, Car’lin Vigers, Qwuantrezz Knight, Tre Hawkins III
The skinny: The cornerback room has its top three, but real concerns linger. Amos still hasn’t returned from his injury. Robertson had a rough 2025 season, and Mike Sainristil’s 2025 struggles are well documented, too. Akhello Witherspoon is just a depth guy at this point, and Tyler Owens and Antonio Hamilton Sr. don’t move the needle as anything more than spot starters.
Darius Rush has a chance to break in, but I think this group stays at six, with him on the outside looking in.
Safety (4)
IN: Nick Cross, Will Harris, Quan Martin, Jeremy Reaves
OUT: Percy Butler, Robert McDaniel, Malik Spencer**
The skinny: Safety carries a similar concern as corner. The main question is, who plays center field? Martin can do it, but he struggled last year and has been an up-and-down player through his career. If he can’t provide consistent, effective snaps at that spot, the Commanders are in trouble. Cross, Harris, and Reaves are better in the box and against the run. A lot rides on Martin’s shoulders heading into 2026.
Specialists (3)
IN: Drew Stevens** (K), Tress Way (P), Tyler Ott (LS)
OUT: Jake Mo0dy
The skinny: I’m going with undrafted free agent Stevens at kicker. He’s had a strong offseason so far. Moody has kept pace, but the team knows what it has in the soon-to-be fourth-year player. If Stevens can continue to match or outpace him, I think Washington bets on the youngster with upside over the veteran who has struggled throughout his career.
Stevens would represent the eighth kicker the Commanders have employed since Dan Quinn and Adam Peters took over, which is wild to think about.
Final Word
Questions remain at certain spots on the roster, but the Commanders did a good job, overall, of patching holes and upgrading positions.
The biggest question, in my mind, lies in the secondary. Adam Peters shockingly decided to go against drafting a corner or safety and the team didn’t make an major splashes in free agency. The guys they added have been good players at their peak and nothing more. It remains to be seen just how high their ceiling is, especially with the Commanders.
However, a very strong front seven should help mitigate some concerns within the back end of the defense.
On offense, the question of who steps up behind McLaurin is both valid and pressing. The Commanders really need one of these wideouts to become a reliable playmaker, even if Okonkwo is thought to be the second option, right now.
If those questions are answered in effective fashion, this team can certainly get back to the playoffs. Only time will tell when it comes to that, though.