Tyler Owens - Commanders S
Tyler Owens was one of the most heartwarming stories to emerge from training camp last summer. Not many gave the imposing safety much of a chance after he went undrafted. The Washington Commanders had other ideas, and he repaid their faith by surging his way onto the 53-man roster.
That was no more than Owens deserved. The Commanders took their time with the player, using the former Texas Tech star as a core special teamer while other areas of his game were developed. Going to injured reserve just before the playoffs was a blow, but all hope is not lost.
The Commanders let Jeremy Chinn walk in free agency, which remains a contentious issue among fans. Will Harris was signed to fill the void, but Adam Peters opted to keep faith with the backup safety options.
That puts Owens in a strong position to stake a bigger claim next season. He's got the size, explosiveness, and physicality to make a difference within Dan Quinn's defensive concepts. If he can progress accordingly, he could unseat Percy Butler from the top backup role when push comes to shove.
It could go the other way, but Owens has more promise than almost anyone in the safety room aside from Quan Martin.
Kain Medrano - Commanders LB
Adam Peters had just five picks at his disposal during the 2025 NFL Draft. Using them wisely was key, which the respected front-office leader managed to accomplish after resisting trade-down offers.
There was one selection that raised more eyebrows than most. With the Commanders desperately needing an explosive young pass-rusher to develop, Peters went with linebacker Kain Medrano at No. 205 in the sixth round instead. That was bemusing to some, but the general manager has earned enough trust for fans to let this play out.
Medrano's athleticism is absolutely off the charts. He was one of the strongest testers among linebackers at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine. This also burst off his college tape at UCLA, although the rookie's tackling technique needs significant refinement before he gets reps on the defensive rotation.
There will be a key familiar face in Washington to smooth Medrano's transition. The player and linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr. worked closely together on the Bruins, and he gave him a strong recommendation before Washington made the pick. Having this trusted figure to guide him on the right part could see improvements arrive quickly.
Medrano will likely occupy a role on special teams. But if he takes on coaching well and learns from the likes of Bobby Wagner, the Commanders could speed things up regarding his rookie outlook.