Cemented:
Athan Kaliakmanis - Commanders QB
The Washington Commanders won't have backup quarterback Marcus Mariota for the remainder of their preseason after the veteran sustained a sprained MCL against the Miami Dolphins. Dan Quinn isn't planning to bring in another signal-caller, which suggests greater confidence in Athan Kaliakmanis.
Washington raised a few eyebrows by spending a seventh-round pick on Kaliakmanis this spring. The Commanders have brought him along gradually, but it's now clear he is streets ahead of Sam Hartman.
Kaliakmanis has a live arm. He's got good velocity on his throws, and the mechanics look a little more accomplished than his college days. There is also sound mobility out of structure, which is always a positive in the modern-day NFL.
The Rutgers product still has work to do to improve his pocket footwork and his ability to go through his progressions. However, with Mariota now set for a short spell on the sidelines, he'll get plenty of experience over Washington's final two preseason contests.
After dealing with significant injury problems last season, the Commanders should take three quarterbacks onto the roster. And the QB3 is Kaliakmanis.
Thin Ice:
Julian Good-Jones - Commanders OL
The Commanders have some concerns at center. Dan Quinn revealed that Nick Allegretti will be making his return to practice this week after sustaining a calf strain on the first day of training camp, and they will need the veteran healthy from here on to avoid this critical spot on the offensive line becoming a weak link.
Sixth-round rookie Matt Gulbin showed what he could potentially bring as a long-term piece of the puzzle against the Miami Dolphins. It's been a slow burn for the Michigan State product this summer, but a game-day environment brought the best out of him, drawing praise from Quinn after the contest.
That was not the case with Julian Good-Jones. The experience factor saw him get the nod over Gulbin, but the Commanders should now shift course.
Good-Jones has struggled to generate any positive momentum at training camp. His flaws were once again glaring in the first preseason game, so his chances of making the 53-man roster appear to be fading.
Cemented:
Jaylin Lane - Commanders WR
There is a real fight for roster spots at wide receiver. The high-profile arrival of Stefon Diggs only turned up the heat on others, and the fine margins will make a big difference during the preseason before those in power make their decisions.
Jaylin Lane is among those looking to cement their statuses. The second-year wideout emerged as a decent punt returner as a rookie but was used sparingly on the offensive rotation. With a new coordinator in David Blough, who brings a more diverse scheme, it's a fresh chance for everybody to make themselves known.
This has brought a positive response from the 2025 fourth-round selection.
Lane's had a decent training camp, and the preseason opener was another step in the right direction. His route running looks more crisp, and his hands look more assured. Just what role he'll play remains to be seen, but this performance was more than enough to book his place on the 53-man roster.
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