The Washington Commanders are about to put their rookie class through a first taste of NFL practices. Draft picks and undrafted hopefuls will be looking to impress right out of the gate at rookie minicamp, which can set the tone for things to come one way or another.
Adam Peters didn't have many selections at his disposal entering the 2025 NFL Draft. The Commanders were incredibly active in the trade market, acquiring cornerback Marshon Lattimore before the 2024 deadline, together with left tackle Laremy Tunsil and wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. this offseason. This was all part of the team's new aggressive mindset with their Super Bowl window open much sooner than expected, but it depleted their resources considerably.
Peters managed to get some good returns from his second draft class. The Commanders acquired several intriguing names from the undrafted pool to further strengthen the ranks. They will also be giving tryouts to a select few who they believe could have something to offer.
The stakes are higher for some more than others. With this in mind, here are five Commanders under pressure to stand out at the team's rookie minicamp.
Commanders under pressure to stand out at rookie minicamp
Car'lin Vigers - Commanders DB
The Washington Commanders have a crowded cornerback room with five legitimate starting options heading into the season. That makes it difficult for any fledgling hopeful from the college ranks to stake a claim. But as far as undrafted free agents go, Car'lin Vigers comes with more intrigue than most.
Vigers was an accomplished cornerback at Louisiana-Monroe. He was rarely targeted during his final college campaign, and his production versus the likes of Matthew Golden and Isaiah Bond against Texas was immensely pleasing. This wasn't enough to hear his name called, but the Commanders want to get a closer look at the defensive back in the coming weeks.
While Vigers wouldn't be classed as the most explosive, he's disciplined and plays with a physical presence that's hard not to love. This could also see the Commanders potentially switch him to the safety position if he's willing, which represents the best chance to impose himself on the 53-man roster.
Any undrafted free agent is starting from the bottom up. Vigers' margin for error is razor-thin, but a strong early impression at minicamp, whether that be as a cornerback or safety, is going to put him in a much better position before linking up with Washington's veterans.
That's all Vigers can ask for at this stage of his development.