Loser No. 1
Ahkello Witherspoon - Commanders CB
Everyone on the roster got the chance to stake a claim over early offseason workouts. Some shone, improving their chances of involvement this season. Others were less convincing, including veteran free-agent signing Ahkello Witherspoon.
The Washington Commanders signed Witherspoon to a one-year deal this offseason. Adam Peters knows the player well from their time together with the San Francisco 49ers, and he was willing to give him an opportunity despite the significant injuries he has dealt with in recent years.
Witherspoon's offseason performance was inconsistent, especially during mandatory minicamp. This was enough for the Commanders to bring in additional reinforcements, and one could make a strong case for Rasul Douglas immediately going above him on the cornerback depth chart.
Douglas played well for the Miami Dolphins in difficult circumstances last season. He's also been much more durable than Witherspoon throughout his career. The two 2017 third-round picks might both make the 53-man roster, but the new signing has the edge in logging reps in the defensive rotation.
The gauntlet has been laid down to Witherspoon. He's experienced enough to know what might come next if he cannot make the improvements needed. And now, the Commanders have someone to fill his role.
Winner No. 2
Daronte Jones - Commanders DC
The Commanders are placing a lot of faith in new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones. Adam Peters prioritized reinforcements for the rookie NFL play-caller throughout the offseason. Rasul Douglas joined much later in the process, but it's a clear sign that the coach's opinion is highly valued by those in the front office.
Early offseason workouts gave the Commanders a chance to assess those lower down the depth chart. Second and third-string players took center stage over mandatory minicamp, which was swiftly followed by a short assessment period. Jones, Peters, and others decided that more was required, and Douglas fits the mold of what Washington is looking for in its secondary.
They needed more size. Douglas is 6-foot-2 with the length to match, providing a physical edge that only Trey Amos possesses in Washington's cornerback room. He's versatile enough to operate on the boundary or in the slot, which adds to the flexibility Jones has desired since he got into the building.
It will be a crash course for Douglas over training camp. He'll get stuck into the playbook beforehand, giving him the best chance for a smooth transition. But if everything goes well, this is another experienced piece with high-level consistency for Jones to utilize within his creative system.
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