Winners and Losers in the Washington Commanders Preseason Finale: Defensive line struggles, and kicking concerns still remain
The biggest winners and losers in the Commanders’ preseason finale.
The Washington Commanders have wrapped up the final preseason game of the offseason, and this was an important opportunity for a lot of players fighting for a roster spot.
There were a lot of storylines that stood out, and I saw some winners and losers of the game to keep an eye on as roster cuts approach this week.
Loser: The Defensive Line Depth
The Baltimore Ravens drove down the field with ease with their running game. None of the defensive ends could set the edge, and every outside run went for a big gain. This was a really bad showing by the backups who are trying to win a roster spot right now. The Ravens had no problem running the ball against the Commanders, which was a major issue last year. Thankfully, the starters will look much better.
Winner: RB Chris Rodriguez Jr.
It might have been a short sample, but Chris Rodriguez Jr. started the game and showed a lot to be excited about. He only ran the ball five times, but he had 34 yards and a 6.8 yards per carry average. He looks sharper this year, and he had a great follow-up to his impressive showing last week. Rodriguez Jr. can be the power back in the RB duo with Bill Croskey-Merritt.
Loser: K Matt Gay
The Commanders gave Matt Gay a fully guaranteed one-year contract, and he has to come through this season, but he’s off to a rough start before the season even begins. He missed a 49-yard kick in the first preseason game and missed a 53-yard attempt today. He followed it up with a make from 47 yards, but the team needs to hit from 50+ in big moments. The team needs to bring in another kicker after roster cuts happen.
Winner: TE Colson Yankoff
Yankoff is probably TE 4 right now, but he’s a great special teams player, and also had the biggest play of the game with a 52-yard catch. He showed the ability to keep moving after contact, and he could fight his way for a roster spot. This play was the only real highlight from the passing offense.
Loser: QB Sam Hartman
Hartman has had every opportunity to take over the QB3 spot, and every game has been painful to watch, unfortunately. He finished up the game with zero touchdowns, two interceptions, one being a pick-six, and a fumble. Hartman finished the preseason with five turnovers and no touchdowns. He was injured this offseason, and his arm just looks dead out there.
Winner: Players getting HEALTHY
There have been a couple of players who have been injured and are slowly coming back to practice, and we saw three younger players hit the field for the first time this preseason. Left guard Brandon Coleman didn’t play long, but it was great to see him get some reps and get comfortable at his new spot inside. Jordan Magee also made his debut and stuck his nose in on some plays in the first quarter. Javontae Jean-Baptiste is one of the players on the roster bubble for me, and he came in for a short time as well.
The Commanders have a lot of decisions to make with the roster cut deadline coming up on Tuesday, and these players either helped or hurt their case as the team gets together to make its initial 53-man roster.
Washington Commanders News
Commanders’ 53-man Roster Prediction: Undrafted rookie on the roster bubble, a shake up in the RB room, and answers on defense
One last run at how the Commanders 53-man roster will shake out.
