Winner No. 2
Gabe Taylor
There was no questioning the most heartwarming story from the Washington Commanders' rookie minicamp this year. That, of course, was the presence of former Rice safety Gabe Taylor.
He's the brother of legendary former Washington safety Sean Taylor, who was tragically killed during a robbery gone wrong at the age of 24 with the NFL world at his feet. He remains idolized by fans to this day, so everyone was rooting for his sibling to make an impression during the two-day tryout.
This was a lifelong dream come true for Taylor, one that filled the player with emotion and ambition in equal measure. According to those watching, the defensive back was explosive, played extremely fast, and made a positive impression on the coaching staff along the way.
That's all Taylor could have done. Everything else was out of his hands. Whether he earns a contract with the team or not, he can walk away with his head held high, knowing that his brother will be looking down with a big, approving smile on his face.
The Commanders aren't in the business of emotional attachment to their roster construction. But Taylor couldn't have done much more in his quest to earn an extended stay in Washington.
Winner No. 3
Jacory Croskey-Merritt - Commanders RB
Considering Jacory Croskey-Merritt was only a seventh-round pick, there is an enormous amount of intrigue surrounding his hopes of carving out an immediate role for himself. The Commanders believe they've found something in the running back, which is a sentiment echoed by several respected analysts around the media.
That sounds good, but proving it in a pressurized setting is much more difficult. Croskey-Merritt comes to Washington highly motivated after the NCAA revoked his eligibility one game into the 2024 campaign. This chip on his shoulder should serve him well, and he got off to a tremendous start during the team's rookie minicamp.
Croskey-Merritt was as advertised. He's decisive, boasts outstanding footwork, and has the initial explosiveness seldom seen with seventh-round selections. There is a long way to go and a lot of hard work ahead, but the East-West Shrine Bowl Offensive MVP has the tools needed to shake up the running back depth chart instantly.
Tempering expectations would be wise. Croskey-Merritt is the No. 245 pick who must start from the bottom. The Commanders have Brian Robinson Jr., Austin Ekeler, Jeremy McNichols, and Chris Rodriguez Jr. if he needs some extra time to develop. But the opportunity is there to stake a claim.
This was a solid first step for Croskey-Merritt. But make no mistake, what comes next is more important.