Commanders release Jordan Kunaszyk, sign two undrafted free agents

The Washington Commanders are far from finished putting the finishing touches on their offseason roster. For the offseason, teams are allowed to carry 90 players before cuts are made in three different waves near the end of camp.

After adding eight players to the roster in the NFL Draft, the Commanders signed veteran guard Trai Turner and return specialist Alex Erickson.

The expectation is Turner will compete with Wes Schweitzer for the right guard spot, whereas Erickson will step in as the team’s primary return man on special teams following the departure of DeAndre Carter, who signed with the Chargers.

Additionally, the Commanders agreed to deals with 13 undrafted free agents following the showcase. Some of the standouts include QB Carson Kelley, wide receiver/return man Jequez Ezzard and Oklahoma guard Tyrese Robinson.

On Monday, Washington’s UDFA collection grew by two in the form of Delaware defensive back Nijuel Hill and Southern Illinois linebacker Bryce Notree. To make room on the roster, the team released veteran LB Jordan Kunaszyk.

The Commanders released veteran linebacker Jordan Kunaszyk and signed two undrafted free agents.

A former Ron Rivera disciple with the Panthers (ironic, right), Kunaszyk signed with Washington during the 2020 offseason. He appeared in six games for the club that season, with most of his snaps coming on special teams. The same can be said for 2021, when he played 11 games and logged a 64% share on special teams.

With the Commanders adding multiple potential special teams gunners via the draft and undrafted market, Kynasyzk became expendable. Not to mention, David Mayo is back after he tallied nine ST tackles in 2021, which tied for ninth in the NFL.

Getting back to the UDFA signings, Notree was actually in rookie camp with Washington last weekend and even had a visit lined up with the Saints this upcoming weekend. A four-year starter at Southern Illinois who missed most of 2019 due to injury, Notree started all 13 games for the Salukis in 2021 and led the team with 91 tackles, to go with 7.5 tackles for loss, four sacks and two interceptions.

Hill, meanwhile, adds to a think cornerback room. He played five years at Delaware, recording 136 tackles and seven interceptions. A Baltimore, MD native, Hill was voted All-CAA Second Team and made six pass breakups this past season.

On Friday, the Commanders made more roster moves, signing talented Virginia State defensive back Will Adams and releasing cornerback De’Vante Cross, who had signed with the team after going undrafted out of Virginia.

More moves can be expected in the weeks to come. Whether they come in the form of more UDFAs or a veteran free agent who’d fill a position of need (linebacker, anyone?), the Commanders are far from done cultivating their roster.