Commanders 53-man roster projection: Intrigue at WR, offensive and defensive lines (2024)

Dan Quinn entered last week’s joint practice-preseason game with an observational wish list.

“I’d love to see the speed of our team over and over again on both sides of the ball,” Quinn said. “Our mindset to … go after it (with effort). And then I want to hear real communication on the field. Those three things are top of the pile for me.”

The Washington Commanders displayed energy and enthusiasm against the New York Jets. The head coach’s takeaways from the live action and game tape may influence playing time this week when another joint practice-preseason game combination occurs in South Florida with the Miami Dolphins.

All of this leads to the 53-player roster decisions by the Aug. 27 deadline — and our updated projection following a pre-training camp examination of the offensive and defensive depth charts.

Quarterback (3)

Jayden Daniels, Marcus Mariota, Jeff Driskel

Others: Sam Hartman

One possession defines a small sample size, and one play’s data doesn’t register with deep analysis. There’s no discounting Daniels checking out of a screen pass to go-routes on his initial third down in the opening preseason game of his career. The moxie to audible — without permission — and deliver a pinpoint pass for a 42-yard gain is intoxicating.

Not for what it proves about the rookie’s future but for what the choice and execution indicate about the ceiling. Daniels arrived with considerable expectations based on his college play. This moment was the first indication that being scared isn’t part of his DNA on the NFL stage.

As for keeping three, roster needs or candidates elsewhere might steal a spot. Therefore, Driskel has starting experience and makes any team’s shortlist for an emergency quarterback. Then consider Mariota’s erratic showing this summer and the positional importance. Holding on to Driskel might have some minor transactional upside (the Arizona Cardinals last season traded fellow journeyman Joshua Dobbs for a sixth-round pick) or offer another quarterback option for Washington in the darkest of timelines.

Hartman, who left Saturday’s game with an apparent shoulder injury, is likelier to land on the practice squad than the 53 if healthy.

Running back (3)

Brian Robinson Jr., Austin Ekeler, Jeremy McNichols

Others: Chris Rodriguez Jr., Austin Jones, Michael Wiley

Rodriguez’s statistically dismal outing against the Jets continues a down summer for the 2023 sixth-round pick. If coaches prefer another interior runner with Robinson, Jones, coming off a season with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury at USC, or Rodriguez might be safe.

If Washington wants an experienced, passing-down back behind Ekeler — even though said back hasn’t had a touch from scrimmage since 2021 — then McNichols gets the third spot. Shelving Jones and Wiley on the practice squad is simple enough. I don’t see four staying unless special teams play some role.

The Robinson-Ekeler pairing, arguably the most potent among Washington’s skill players, will gobble up the snaps regardless.

Wide receiver (6)

Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Olamide Zaccheaus, Luke McCaffrey, Dyami Brown, Brycen Tremayne

Others: Jamison Crowder, Mitchell Tinsley, Kazmeir Allen, Davion Davis, Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint

Dotson playing the most wide receiver snaps (32) in the preseason opener is weird, right? McLaurin exited after 11 snaps, or one more than Zaccheaus. Dotson isn’t going anywhere, but the coaches apparently wanted to give the 2022 first-round selection needed reps to even out his up-and-down summer. Zaccheaus and Brown have been steadier but with different responsibilities.

Back to Zaccheaus. Punt returning rules haven’t changed. Other than seeing what spice new coordinator Larry Izzo adds to the recipe, there are no real secrets to keep. Therefore, using Zaccheaus for the first two returns against the Jets is a sign that the staff hopes he can take the job (the initial fair catch on the run was a bit scary, but he gained 19 yards on the next attempt).

Crowder is steady as a receiver and returner, but someone else beating out the 31-year-old means room for Tremayne, one of the camp’s breakout performers, or the 2023 roster holdover Tinsley. Meanwhile, the kick returns are wildly different this year, and teams aren’t showing their grand plans. The use of fringe roster candidates (Allen, Pringle, Davis) may indicate Washington is withholding its actual depth chart, though Allen and Pringle have a shot.

The offense was firing on all cylinders on the first drive pic.twitter.com/cZT2U5AHod

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) August 11, 2024

Tight end (3)

Zach Ertz, John Bates, Ben Sinnott

Others: Cole Turner, Colson Yankoff

Sinnott’s 44-yard catch-and-run doubled as Washington’s longest play against the Jets and the second-round selection’s biggest of the summer. Ertz and Bates represent the primary pass catcher and blocker, respectively, with Sinnott’s versatile presence lining up in multiple spots.

Keeping Tremayne as another tall target could knock out Turner’s chances, especially since this receiver is a better blocker and special teams contributor. Yankoff, learning his fourth position in five years, is an ideal practice squad project.

16 to 82 for 44 ‼️

📺 #WASvsNYJ @WUSA9 pic.twitter.com/SGaZt8YtvY

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) August 10, 2024

Offensive line (9)

Tackles: Brandon Coleman, Cornelius Lucas, Andrew Wylie, Trent Scott

Center/Guard: Tyler Biadasz, Nick Allegretti, Sam Cosmi, Michael Deiter, Chris Paul

Others: Braeden Daniels, Alex Taylor, David Nwaogwugwu, Mason Brooks, Ricky Stromberg, Julian Good-Jones, J.C. Hassenauer

Injuries at tackle might force the front office to seek immediate help rather than let the preseason and camp work dictate what level of reinforcements are required. Coleman’s “day-to-day, week-to-week” shoulder injury update injects many variables into the starting plan. The rookie missing another week or more may curtail the starting left tackle momentum generated in camp.

Scott’s limitations became neon light evident in the joint practice with the Jets, but there’s no prominent challenger for the fourth tackle spot on the roster. That Paul and Braeden Daniels worked at guard and tackle amid the absences at least provides the staff with an extended look at both positions. Stromberg or Hassenauer’s chances may hinge on Deiter’s capability at guard since keeping three centers is doubtful.

If there was ever a week for the Commanders to sign an experienced starting tackle — ex-Kansas City Chief Donovan Smith might be the only name on the list not coming off injury — this is it.

Defensive line (10)

Ends: Dorance Armstrong, Clelin Ferrell, Dante Fowler Jr., KJ Henry, Javontae Jean-Baptiste

Tackles: Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, Johnny Newton, John Ridgeway III, Phidarian Mathis

Others: Jamin Davis, Andre Jones Jr., Jalen Harris, Efe Obada, Benning Potoa’e, Norell Pollard, Taylor Stallworth, Haggai Chisom Ndubuisi (IPP)

The front seven’s good-to-strong performance was overlooked amid the downpour and specific frets in the joint practice. Jonathan Allen and Payne’s return to form is crucial if this defense hopes to finish in the league’s top half. Meanwhile, Jamin Davis and Mathis, two high draft selections under the previous regime, may vie for one roster spot. Keeping 10 linemen could be the only way either stays.

Davis’ pass-rushing chops remain raw, while Henry stood out in the joint practice and preseason game. Teams tend to side with players they drafted as a tiebreaker, and unlike Davis, Jean-Baptiste can contribute on special teams.

If Newton’s return from second foot surgery in 2024 stays in the slow lane, Mathis could land on the right side of the roster bubble and away from the trade market.

Linebacker (4)

Frankie Luvu, Bobby Wagner, Jordan Magee, Anthony Pittman

Others: Mykal Walker, Keandre Jones, Bo Bauer

The regular season cannot come soon enough for those who want to see Luvu’s violent play style and Wagner’s brainiac game unleashed. Magee is week to week after playing only six defensive snaps against the Jets because he suffered a knee injury. The free-agent signing of Pittman centered on special teams.

If the coaches are keen on keeping those capable of playing multiple spots, Walker is a modern-day defender with experience as a linebacker (25 career starts) and slot corner. He’s my last cut, losing out to Driskel and the 10th defensive lineman.

Cornerback (6)

Benjamin St-Juste, Michael Davis, Emmanuel Forbes Jr., Mike Sainristil, Noah Igbinoghene, Chigozie Anusiem

Others: Kyu Blu Kelly, Tariq Castro-Fields, James Pierre, Nick Whiteside II, A.J. Woods

This week’s joint practice and preseason game at Miami will put the corners to the test. Grades were not high for outside options in the joint practice, and the Jets’ first touchdown on Saturday came against Forbes. Get the red pen ready should the Dolphins let their track team of receivers run wild. The competitive Sainristil is the surest option among the corners, having yet to play a regular-season game.

Igbinoghene seems safe-ish to stick, especially if he’s part of the kick returner unit. The high signing bonus to the undrafted Anusiem keeps him over Kelly for now. Castro-Fields and Pierre would benefit if special teams were the main criteria for CB6.

Safety (6)

Quan Martin, Jeremy Chinn, Percy Butler, Jeremy Reaves, Darrick Forrest, Dominique Hampton

Others: Tyler Owens, Ben Nikkel

Owens is the defensive equivalent of Tremayne: a roster fringe player who continues to stand out and get his hands on the football. Washington’s interest existed at the draft; Owens received $245,000 guaranteed. Teams don’t claim nearly as many players when rosters get reduced to 53, as the keep/cut discussions suggest. Still, the internal debate might eventually be about whether other teams might find the physical 6-foot-2 safety worth the time.

While the receiver room is more unsettled, the safeties have a prominent six without the undrafted free agent. Currently out with a hamstring injury, Forrest needs to find his solid 2022 work to secure his spot. Reaves stayed around for his special teams efforts. Does that change with the new kickoff rules? Probably not, but there might be a tough choice looming with a draft pick (Hampton) and undrafted free agent (Owens) selected by the staff in the mix.

Special teams (3)

Kicker: TBD
Punter: Tress Way
Long snapper: Tyler Ott

Maybe Ramiz Ahmed has a lead over Riley Patterson in the current battle, though neither has shown much positive consistency with field goals. Someone “winning” by default isn’t encouraging. The logical conclusion is that the Week 1 kicker is currently on another team’s roster.

(Top photo: Vincent Carchietta / USA Today)

Ben Standig is a senior NFL writer focused on the Washington Commanders for The Athletic. The native Washingtonian also hosts the "Standig Room Only" podcast. Ben has covered D.C. area sports since 2005 and is a three-time winner of The Huddle Report's annual NFL mock draft contest. Follow Ben on Twitter @benstandig