Loser No. 1
Kazmeir Allen - RB/KR
Getting noticed in a crowded running back room was a difficult task for those further down the pecking order. For Kazmeir Allen, his fortunes were largely determined by whether he could stand out in the kick return game in pursuit of a surprising place on the squad.
Allen joined the Commanders as an undrafted free agent in 2023. Many thought his versatility and elusiveness could make an impact, but he's been nothing more than a practice squad piece over the last two seasons.
This represented the last chance saloon for the UCLA product in Washington. Allen flashed during training camp practices, but the consistency wasn't where it needed to be when opportunities arrived in the preseason. That ultimately sealed his fate.
The fact that Washington didn't even bring Allen back onto the practice squad was telling. It seems to be over for the player in Washington. Whether this is the end of his NFL journey entirely remains to be seen.
Winner No. 2
Colson Yankoff - Commanders TE
Colson Yankoff made the 53-man roster last summer, which was a remarkable accomplishment for the undrafted free agent out of UCLA. He wasn't activated many times on game days, so the tight end had to prove himself all over again this time around.
Some fans thought Yankoff would fall victim to the numbers game. The Commanders took four tight ends onto the roster last season, but the added wide receiver strength could have easily resulted in three options heading into the 2025 campaign.
Yankoff left no doubt regarding his status. He developed his route running and became a more dependable pass-catcher. His big gain in Washington's final preseason outing was enough to confirm his spot. And now, the second-year pro will have his sights set on unseating 2024 second-round pick Ben Sinnott from the No. 3 spot behind Zach Ertz and John Bates.
Looking at how the pendulum is swinging, there's a greater chance of that than ever before.
Loser No. 2
Clelin Ferrell - DE
It was an uneventful first season in Washington for defensive end Clelin Ferrell. The No. 4 overall selection got the chance to start after arriving from the San Francisco 49ers in free agency. Aside from a few moments of promise, his performance levels weren't up to the required standard.
Ferrell got a reprieve from the Commanders this offseason, signing another one-year deal. This came with no guarantees whatsoever, so a huge effort was needed from the Clemson product in his quest to turn the tide.
It didn't materialize. Ferrell got lost in the shuffle as others came to the fore. He was outperformed by the likes of Deatrich Wise Jr., Jacob Martin, and even seventh-round pick Javontae Jean-Baptiste. That left the Commanders with a relatively easy decision to cut him loose.
Ferrell didn't even make the practice squad, which was a damning indictment of how things unfolded for the veteran.