Just like that, roster deadline day is over. Just because it is, though, doesn’t mean the Washington Commanders are finished making moves. As of the submission of their 53-man roster, they have just four cornerbacks and their linebacker rotation is paper thin behind projected starters Cole Holcomb and Jamin Davis.
Like most squads, the Commanders made some surprising decisions. Certain players getting released came as a shock to the mind and it was somewhat stunning they opted to keep five tight ends, including two undrafted free agents.
But what about players who were unlucky not to make the final cut? The Commanders’ depth isn’t raved about, but they flaunt a slew of NFL caliber players who found themselves on waivers due to a surplus of depth at their respective positions.
Let’s highlight some of those players, shall we?
3 Commanders who were unlucky not to make 53-man roster
3. Alex Erickson
It was always a long shot that Washington would keep Dax Milne and Alex Erickson, as both players are your classic undersized receivers who know how to get open and can return kicks. When push came to shove, Milne got the nod.
While Erickson is the more proven return specialist, Milne popped more during camp and parlayed that into a strong preseason. With that said, Erickson tied Milne for the team lead in catches (10) and finished with the most receiving yards (134).
Additionally, Erickson averaged 13.4 yards per catch, 6.4 yards after the catch per reception and QBs boasted a 117.4 passer rating when targeting him.
When you compare Erickson’s consistency with someone like Dyami Brown, who didn’t offset his drops with enough big plays to warrant a roster spot, you’ll realize how unlucky Erickson was to miss the cut.
Luckily for Brown, he was drafted in the third round last April and his big-play ability (coupled with Milne’s emergence) is likely what convinced the coaching staff to cut Erickson loose.
2. Steven Parker, S
Not only was Parker (somewhat) surprisingly released, but he was among Washington’s first wave of cuts. Not what you’d expect from a camp and preseason standout. Perhaps the coaching staff already decided who’d they be keeping at safety.
Whatever the case, the fourth-year DB was unlucky not to make the Commanders’ final roster. He was the team’s highest-graded defender in Week 1 against the Panthers, but came back down to earth against the Chiefs and Ravens.
The safety position has been a weakness for Washington the last few years, but the emergence of Darrick Forrest and Percy Butler at camp made Parker expendable. Not to mention, fan favorite Jeremy Reaves deservingly made the squad.
With that said, Butler took his lumps in coverage in the preseason and Parker might’ve thought he had a realistic chance at sticking as a veteran depth piece. With 31 games under his belt, he would’ve been the Commanders’ most experienced backup safety.
Perhaps he can fill that role on the practice squad if he clears waivers.
1. Corn Elder, CB
Danny Johnson was one of Washington’s first cuts Tuesday. That immediately prompted fans to think Elder’s spot was secure. Little did they know, however, that Elder would also get released, leaving the team with just four CBs on the 53-man roster: Kendall Fuller, William Jackson, Benjamin St-Juste and Christian Holmes.
It’s not an ideal situation by any means and you can bet your bottom dollar the Commanders will be active on the waiver wire searching for reinforcements.
Elder isn’t a great cornerback by any stretch, but he showed out at training camp and wasn’t nearly as exposed as some of Washington’s other CBs during the preseason. A former Ron Rivera draft pick in Carolina, Elder logged 57 naps over the three games and allowed just three catches for 29 yards.
Whereas Johnson had a strong camp and awful preseason before getting cut, Elder had a strong camp and solid preseason before getting the axe.
We’re all for making upgrades to both Johnson and Elder, but the latter was definitely unlucky to miss out given how he performed this offseason.