Luke McCaffrey - Commanders WR
The Washington Commanders are expecting more from Luke McCaffrey in 2025. They took things slowly with the wide receiver in Year 1 of his professional career, giving him plenty of reps but very few targets. This experience should serve him well, but getting complacent is simply not an option.
McCaffrey has talent. He's got nice hands and created separation better than most expected. There was also a lot to like about his ability in the return game, which flashed incredible potential late in the campaign and throughout the playoffs.
That's a big positive for McCaffrey to build upon. However, he'll need to prove himself all over again this offseason.
Washington traded for Deebo Samuel Sr. to provide Terry McLaurin with a legitimate running mate in the wideout room. They also spent the No. 128 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft on Jaylin Lane, who has a lot of similar traits to McCaffrey and is a lot more explosive.
Lane caught fire early in his transition. The reviews coming out of the building are immensely positive surrounding the rookie. That places the onus squarely on McCaffrey to raise his game accordingly to avoid getting buried down the depth chart.
McCaffrey will make the team. But what the player's role will be hasn't been determined.
Sheldon Day - Commanders DL
Adam Peters is never settling. The Commanders' general manager is ultra-aggressive, keeping a close eye on developments around the league and how his squad is performing. Another example of this arrived just before OTAs began with the signing of Carl Davis.
The imposing defensive tackle performed relatively well when given opportunities last season. Washington waited a long time, but they eventually concluded that Davis was worth another look to see if he could impact the rotation.
That might not be good news and those already around. Even so, it's a small price to pay for progress as the Commanders look to firmly establish themselves among the NFL's elite once again.
Sheldon Day is someone who could be nervously looking over his shoulder when it's all said and done. Like Davis, the veteran did himself justice when starting reps came his way in 2024. That deservedly gave him a new deal, but there are no guarantees attached.
Day must maintain or perhaps even increase his output to make the 53-man roster again. But with Javon Kinlaw, Eddie Goldman, and Davis also vying for prominent involvement, the margin for error is extremely slim.
And looking at Davis' current predicament, he's got a real fight on his hands.