Predicting the Commanders’ 53-man roster before training camp
By Jerry Trotta
Offensive Line (10): Charles Leno, Andrew Norwell, Chase Roullier, Trai Turner, Sam Cosmi, Cornelius Lucas, Wes Schweitzer, Saahdiq Charles, Chris Paul, Tyler Larsen
The Commanders keeping 10 lineman will likely hinge on Chase Roullier’s recovery from a fractured left fibula that ended his 2021 season. If the starting center is deemed healthy enough to play Week 1, Larsen could be on the outside looking in. Either way, Lucas, Schweitzer (who’d likely get the nod at center if Roullier can’t go), Charles and Paul give Washington great depth in the trenches.
Defensive Line (9): Montez Sweat, Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, Chase Young, Phidarian Mathis, James Smith-Williams, Efe Obada, Daniel Wise, Shaka Toney
The starting four is one of the best in the NFL, but Washington better hope the group remains healthy because its depth doesn’t inspire much confidence. In our prediction, Toney makes the team over third-year pro Casey Toohill.
Linebacker (4): Cole Holcomb, Jamin Davis, David Mayo, Khaleke Hudson
The Commanders lack of depth at linebacker could see them deploy their familiar five-man defensive front early and often in 2022. That could change if Davis shows improvements as a sophomore, which makes him the wild card of the group. Might be time to stop holding out hope the team signs another LB.