3 forgotten players who could make Commanders’ 53-man roster

2. Shaka Toney

Toney’s chances of making Washington’s 53-man roster likely hinge on Chase Young’s recovery. A candidate to open the year on injured reserve, the former Defensive Rookie of the Year being out of commission for the first month of the season could carve a path for Toney to make the team out of preseason.

The No. 246 overall pick in the 2021 draft, Toney made the roster as a rookie last campaign after impressing the coaching staff with blend of size and quickness. He was even used sparingly on special teams during the preseason.

When the dust settled, Toney appeared in 10 games as a rookie, recording eight tackles, 1.5 sacks and three quarterback hits over 118 snaps. Not earth-shattering numbers by any stretch, but the Penn State product made an impact when he was on the field alongside fellow former seventh-round gem James Smith-Williams.

Smith-Williams and free agent addition Efe Obada are the prohibitive favorites to make Washington’s final roster, leaving Toney to compete with the likes of Casey Toohill and William Bradley-King during training camp.

It won’t be easy for 24-year-old to get over the hump, but his ability to contribute on special teams (65 snaps as a rookie) could give him the edge over Toohill and Bradley-King if there isn’t much separating the players during camp.