The Commanders defied all expectations in 2024, and now the roster added potential impact additions with Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil.

 

Quarterback (3)

Jayden Daniels, Marcus Mariota, Josh Johnson

 

Marcus Mariota returns as the best backup in the league and showed he can play at a high level in place of Jayden Daniels, and Washington could keep a third quarterback with journeyman Josh Johnson signing this offseason.

 

Running back (4)

Brian Robinson Jr., Austin Ekeler, Jeremy McNichols, Jacory Croskey-Merritt (R)

 

Running back should be a very close competition behind Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler—with seventh-rounder Jacory Croskey-Merritt having the talent to jump Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez Jr. on the depth chart. We’d expect four runners will be kept, and don’t sleep on Demetric Felton either.

 

Wide receiver (6)

Terry McLaurin, Deebo Samuel, Luke McCaffrey, Jaylin Lane (R), Noah Brown, Michael Gallup

 

Wide receiver is also wide open for the final couple of spots, as veterans Noah Brown, Michael Gallup (coming out of retirement), K.J. Osborn, and Chris Moore are among the options hoping to make the squad. This will be a true competition under Dan Quinn, and keeping off Osborn—who had a strong run in Minnesota with an average season line of 53/615/5 from 2021 through 2023—was the toughest cut.

 

Tight end (4)

Zach Ertz, John Bates, Ben Sinnott, Cole Turner

 

A seventh wideout being retained feels very possible with tight end and linebacker being positions that could drop a player, but Kliff Kingsbury probably wants the depth here to be versatile with 12 personnel. If a fourth option is kept at tight end behind the roster locks, Cole Turner will be battling Colston Yankoff, Lawrence Cager, and Tyree Jackson.

 

Offensive tackle (4)

Laremy Tunsil, Josh Conerly Jr. (R), Andrew Wylie, Trent Scott

 

Washington needs to do some shuffling on the offensive line with Sam Cosmi (knee) out for at least the start of the campaign, and it sounds like returning starters Andrew Wylie and Brandon Coleman will both get a shot at right tackle. However, we don’t see first-round pick Josh Conerley Jr. losing out or being the one to move inside, which makes Wylie a versatile backup and Trent Scott a traditional swing tackle.

 

Interior offensive line (5)

Nick Allegretti, Tyler Biadasz, Brandon Coleman, Nate Herbig, Michael Dieter

 

The Commanders have already said last year’s left tackle Brandon Coleman is switching to the right side, which means right guard is the logical starting spot for him—with Sam Cosmi out—if Josh Conerley Jr. indeed earns the job at right tackle. Nick Allegretti could be out of the starting lineup at left guard depending on how the shuffling goes in training camp, but the roster spots are more straightforward than the alignment at this point.

 

Defensive tackle (5)

Daron Payne, Jer’Zhan Newton, Javon Kinlaw, Eddie Goldman, Jalyn Holmes

 

Javon Kinlaw was added this offseason as a former first-rounder of the 49ers that general manager Adam Peters knows well, and the Commanders also signed Eddie Goldman to bolster the trenches. Washington will be relying on Jer’Zhan Newton to make a Year 2 leap with no real impact players brought in this offseason, though.

 

Defensive end (5)

Dorance Armstrong, Deatrich Wise Jr., Clelin Ferrell, Jacob Martin, Javontae Jean-Baptiste

 

The contract situation with Bengals star Trey Hendrickson is certainly one to watch with a high-profile edge defender being something many thought the Commanders would acquire—but for now, long-time Patriot Deatrich Wise Jr. is set to be the bookend to Dorance Armstrong. If a blockbuster move doesn’t happen, Javontae Jean-Baptiste should be safe to make the 53-man roster.

 

Linebacker (4)

Bobby Wagner, Frankie Luvu, Jordan Magee, Kain Medrano (R)

 

Linebacker is unsettled behind Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu, so the two or three roster spots will be based on how everyone performs in the summer. Jordan Magee provides speed and upside as a fifth-round pick in 2024, and the projected value on special teams for rookie Kain Medrano might make veteran Nick Bellore expendable.

 

Cornerback (5)

Marshon Lattimore, Mike Sainristil, Trey Amos (R), Jonathan Jones, Noah Igbinoghene

 

Mike Sainristil was excellent on the perimeter in 2024, but he should be able to kick into the slot with second-round rookie Trey Amos paired with Marson Lattimore—while Jonathan Jones and Noah Igbinoghene are both very capable of playing significant snaps if needed.

 

Safety (5)

Quan Martin, Will Harris, Jeremy Reaves, Percy Butler, Dominique Hampton

 

After a winding path with time at cornerback and linebacker, Will Harris was brought over from New Orleans to start alongside Quan Martin at safety, which is his natural position. Jeremy Reaves has played just four defensive snaps over the past two seasons but is an All-Pro special teamer, so Percy Butler should be the No. 3 safety with Dominique Hampton trying to crack the roster with a strong summer.

 

Special teams (3)

Matt Gay, Tress Way, Tyler Ott

 

Washington made a good move to swoop in for Matt Gay shortly after he was released by the Colts, and the kicker/punter combination is now among the best in the NFL with him and Tress Way.

 

Players not available for Week 1 (1)

G Sam Cosmi