Chris Moore - Commanders WR
Finding a spot within the Washington Commanders' crowded wide receiver room is a difficult task for those further down the pecking order. But with Michael Gallup and Noah Brown both missing time at mandatory minicamp through injury, it provided a chance for others to impress.
That was the case for Chris Moore on Day 3. The veteran has flashed genuine promise over early offseason workouts so far. It'll take much more to force his way onto the 53-man squad, but it's a promising development worth monitoring as the summer unfolds.
Moore's reliable hands and ability to make tough catches were on full display. He made three impressive grabs according to those watching the session. It's a small step forward, but much will depend on whether the injuries to Brown and Gallup impact their respective statuses moving forward.
They've got five weeks to recover before Washington congregates for training camp. Urgency will be high to make an impression, which raises the stakes for Moore and others during what promises to be a fascinating few weeks.
If Moore continues on this upward trajectory, the Commanders will give the former Cincinnati star all he can handle during the preseason. If he passes those tests with flying colors, who knows what will happen when push comes to shove?
Car'lin Vigers - Commanders DB
Things aren't any easier for the undrafted free agents. They are starting from the bottom up, and the Commanders have no room for passengers with their Super Bowl window open. Unless they impress accordingly, they'll be forced to settle for places on the practice squad or cast aside entirely.
At the same time, this Commanders' regime rewards those who prove their worth. Tyler Owens and Colson Yankoff were UDFAs who went through onto the roster last season. There's a growing belief that Car'lin Vigers could be a strong candidate for the same distinction in 2025.
Vigers is a versatile, physically imposing defensive back. The Commanders are using him across the secondary to understand better where his skills could be maximized. It's bringing a positive response from the rookie so far, which was highlighted further by an outstanding interception during the team portion of practice on Day 3.
Some covering the team highlighted Vigers as the UDFA most likely to make the 53-man roster. The safety spots are up for grabs behind the projected starting duo of Quan Martin and Will Harris. There's also one potential cornerback opening depending on how many Washington takes into Week 1.
Nothing is set in stone, but Vigers set himself up nicely if he continues to work on his game over the next month before training camp.