There was a lot to unpack from the Washington Commanders' first preseason outing against the Miami Dolphins. Head coach Dan Quinn may not have been thrilled with the starting defense's performance over the first series, but those a little lower down the depth chart stepped things up afterward to secure a comfortable victory.
This is all part of the constant evaluation. The Commanders look like a better-rounded squad after general manager Adam Peters' aggressive offseason, but there are still some problem areas that could hold them back when the real action begins.
Intensity is going to ramp up over the next two weeks before the all-important decisions arrive at final cuts.
Peters and Quinn will have a good idea of who'll go through and who'll be made surplus to requirements by this point, but there's still plenty of time for narratives to change. And of course, any unfortunate injuries could tip the scales one way or another.
Washington's preseason outing against Miami provided further clues. Some shone under the spotlight at Northwest Stadium, while others failed to capitalize on their chances. For them, the stakes have been raised even more heading into this week's work before the Commanders' second warm-up game at the Detroit Lions.
With this in mind, here are four Commanders players who may have locked up roster spots in preseason Week 1, and three who are now on thin ice.
Washington Commanders players who cemented roster spots or went onto thin ice in preseason Week 1
Cemented:
Antonio Hamilton Sr. - Commanders CB
The Commanders needed more in their cornerback unit, signing Rasul Douglas just before training camp. This was swiftly followed by the return of Antonio Hamilton Sr., who flashed last season while also emerging as a valuable special teams asset for good measure.
Hamilton turned in a lockdown performance against the New York Giants last year, to the surprise of almost everybody. Fans wanted to see if this could become something more, but the return of some injured players pushed him a little further down the pecking order.
He got another chance to impress this summer. And make no mistake; Hamilton maximized every rep versus the Dolphins. Â
The former South Carolina State standout was assured in coverage while also leading the team in tackles. Hamilton secured a pass breakup and even had a tackle for loss, showcasing what he could bring as a valuable backup.
Given the injury concerns around second-year corner Trey Amos, having someone with Hamilton's experience and special-teams prowess will be useful on the 53-man roster. It's a short-term contingency plan, but it will do for now.
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