3 biggest takeaways from Commanders first unofficial depth chart

The Washington Commanders‘ first preseason game is Saturday against Carolina, which means roster cuts are right around the corner. Before long we’ll have a good idea as far as who are the favorites to make the 53-man roster.

Roster cutdowns are admittedly a sad time around the NFL, but it’s an equally exciting time for fans to see who makes the team. On Tuesday, Washington gave fans a taste of the regular season by releasing its first unofficial depth chart.

With more than two weeks left in camp and three preseason games to play, we wouldn’t overreact to anything on the chart. There are, however, some noteworthy observations worth highlighting, so let’s get right into it!

3 noteworthy takeaways from Commanders unofficial depth chart

3. Alex Erickson is First-String Return Specialist

The Commanders have a hole to fill on special teams following the departure of DeAndre Carter, who brought needed consistency to the return game in 2021. Now a member of the Chargers, Carter finished third in the NFL with 25.11 yards averaged per kick return and averaged a respectable 8.4 yards on punts.

Two weeks into camp, Erickson is Washington’s first-string kick and punt returner. Again, that could mean nothing, but Erickson is by far the most experienced return guy on the roster and is ahead of Dax Milne for punt returner (Jahan Dotson wasn’t listed) and Kyric McGowan as a kick returner.

Erickson has twice led the AFC in yards averaged per kick return and he’s logged 8.1 yards over 135 punt returns in his career.

2. Dax Milne In Drivers’s Seat For Roster Spot

Speaking of Milne, the 2021 seventh-round pick has been one of the team’s standout performers at training camp and the depth chart is a reflection of that.

The BYU product is technically sixth in the pecking order behind Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Curtis Samuel, Dyami Brown and Cam Sims, respectively and currently ahead of Marken Michel, who might not be far behind, Kelvin Harmon (also not far behind), Erickson, McGowan and recent signing Matt Cole.

A lot of folks wrote Milne off as far as making the team when camp started due to Washington’s newfound depth at receiver. To the 23-year-old’s credit, he’s taken the challenge in stride and is thriving in the face of pressure.

1. Trai Turner First-String RG Over Wes Schweitzer

This is without question the most notable observation.

Signed to a one-year contract this offseason, Turner has yet to play in training camp as he recovers from a quad injury. Despite that, he’s listed as the starting right guard over Wes Schweitzer, who played 313 snaps there last season and has really made his bones filling in for the oft-injured Brandon Scherff.

Ron Rivera addressed the media after Wednesday’s practice and reiterated that Turner, who played for Rivera for six seasons in Carolina, already knows a lot of the techniques being taught so they aren’t necessarily rushing him back.

A veteran of Turner’s prestige admittedly doesn’t need a full training camp to be groomed for the regular season, but shouldn’t Schweitzer have nabbed the temporary starting gig while Turner works his way back to the practice field?

It just feels weird giving somebody who’s injured a starting role over a guy who’s been grinding every day … especially when Turner vs Schweitzer was expected to be the hottest roster battle at training camp.

Of course, it’s only the first unofficial depth chart. Not worth an overreaction.