Predicting the Commanders’ 53-man roster before training camp

Cornerback (5): Kendall Fuller, William Jackson III, Benjamin St-Juste, Danny Johnson, Christian Holmes

Another thin group, the Commanders need St-Juste to piggyback off his strong spring. The second-year corner is being experimented in the nickel. If he emerges as a reliable starter, the concerns about the top-heavy CB room will be pacified … so long as Jackson rebounds from a rocky 2021 season.

Safety (6): Bobby McCain, Kam Curl, Percy Butler, Darrick Forrest, Troy Apke, Jeremy Reaves

McCain and Curl will be asked to carry the safety room, but Forrest and Reaves could provide some relief after their impressive spring. Butler could see significant playing time as a rookie fourth-round pick, but expect him and Apke to contribute heavily on special teams more so than on defense early on.

Special Teams (3): Joey Slye (kicker), Tress Way (punter), Camaron Cheeseman (long-snapper)

Unless injury strikes, Washington’s specialists are locked in for 2022. Slye really provided stability at kicker last season after Dustin Hopkins’ release and the disaster signing of Chris Blewitt. His big leg makes the Commanders a threat to put points on the scoreboard after they cross an opponent’s 40-yard line. Way, on the other hand, continues to fly under the radar as one of the game’s premier punters.

That should just about do it, folks! It’s important to remember this is a pre-training camp prediction. A lot can change between now and the next three weeks, so this is basically a rough draft of what the roster could look like.

Did we miss anybody? Anyone we included that shouldn’t make it? Let us know!