Colson Yankoff - Commanders TE
It looked for a long time as if Colson Yankoff was a lock to make the Washington Commanders' 53-man roster. However, recent signs seem to suggest that might not be the case.
Yankoff did remarkably well to rise from undrafted obscurity to secure his place last summer. The Commanders practically redshirted the former UCLA standout in his rookie year, making him a healthy scratch more often than not. Although disappointing, being around the squad was an invaluable experience.
This is a what have you done for me lately league. Yankoff flashed earlier this offseason, but the emergence of Lawrence Cager threatens to shake things up considerably. Unless the second-year pro matches him, it could provoke the Commanders into a change in direction.
Much will also depend on how many tight end spots the Commanders allocate. Pro Bowler Zach Ertz and blocking specialist John Bates are the established duo who both got new deals this offseason. There's also the presence of 2024 second-round pick Ben Sinnott to factor into the equation.
The Commanders believe there is more to come from Sinnott. If the staff believes that'll be enough, Yankoff will be off the team unless he leaves no doubt over Washington's final two preseason games.
Sam Hartman - Commanders QB
Jayden Daniels is the superstar quarterback. Marcus Mariota is an experienced backup and an exceptional mentor presence. That is set in stone, but the battle to become Washington's third quarterback option is far from a done deal.
It seemed as if former undrafted free agent Sam Hartman was in the driver's seat to secure the job. However, that might not be the case after Washington's first preseason outing against the New England Patriots.
Hartman had a rough evening at the office. He was hesitant in the pocket and looked completely out of sync. That wasn't the case with experienced veteran Josh Johnson, who turned in a much more consistent performance.
Johnson is a journeyman who's played for more teams than anyone in NFL history. In an ideal world, Hartman will stick around as a development project, but it's starting to look like he's fighting a losing battle.
A huge effort is needed against the Cincinnati Bengals. The AFC North club boasts a defense that can best be described as atrocious. If Hartman cannot carve up this group on home soil, that could be everything the Commanders need to see as part of their ongoing assessments.
What comes next is down to Hartman. But it's a razor-thin scenario that could go either way.