3 new Commanders who could be cut before the 2022 season

1. Alex Erickson

Look, Erickson is likely the odds-on favorite to assume Washington’s return specialist’s role. With 158 career punt returns and 110 kick returns, the 29-year-old is by far the most experienced of the Commanders’ return candidates.

Speaking of which, Washington has several players who could win the role during training camp, including Jahan Dotson, Dax Milne and undrafted receivers Jequez Ezzard and Kyric McGowan, so we wouldn’t rule anything out.

Of those players, Dotson is the only roster lock. With the receiving room expected to be composed of Terry McLaurin, Dotson, Curtis Samuel, Dyami Brown and Cam Sims, that leaves six players (Erickson, Milne, Ezzard, McGowan, Marken Michel and Kelvin Harmon) fighting for the final spot, assuming the team carries six receivers.

While ESPN’s John Keim believes Erickson will make the team, The Athletic’s Ben Standig isn’t fully convinced just yet. Having averaged 8.1 yards per punt return and 24.8 yards per kick return, the former longtime Cincinnati Bengal gives Washington the most assurance in the return game. If one of the other four candidates show more upside during camp, however, Erickson could get the axe during roster cuts.