Gabe Taylor - S
Adam Peters harbors no sentiment towards his roster construction. However, it's hard for Washington Commanders fans not to hold a special emotional attachment to one prospect coming in for a tryout over rookie minicamp.
Gabe Taylor had several offers from around the league once the draft concluded. The defensive back resisted them all for a chance to follow in his late sibling's footsteps.
Gabe is the younger brother of Sean Taylor, who remains a Washington icon taken too soon. The hard-hitting safety was on track to become a potential Pro Football Hall of Famer before losing his life when a robbery went wrong. It was a tragic event that nobody associated with the organization at the time will ever forget. He's held in the highest regard to this day.
Nobody is expecting the former Rice star to be anything like his brother. Players like No. 21 don't come along every day. All Taylor can do is perform as he's capable of, take on coaching, and give it absolutely everything in pursuit of an extended stay over the summer.
Nothing is given where the Commanders are concerned anymore. Taylor needs to earn his spot just like everyone else. Fans will be rooting for him, and he should benefit greatly from the experience, whether things go his way or not.
Kain Medrano - Commanders LB
The Commanders' decision to draft Kain Medrano was met with some skepticism. Fans wanted Adam Peters to take one of the promising edge rushers still available at the time. The general manager resisted the urge, trusting his assessments and the glowing recommendations associated with the athletically gifted linebacker.
Medrano is a work in progress, but his physical attributes represent a decent foundation from which to build. He was among the best-performing linebackers at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, showcasing his explosive traits and fluidity to full effect.
The player also got a strong reference from linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr., who spent time working with Medrano at UCLA. Just how the Commanders plan to utilize him as a rookie is anyone's guess, but it might have to be on special teams until problem areas of his game are rectified.
From a tackling standpoint, Medrano lacks conviction and is technically flawed. He's got the speed to make his way to the contact point quickly, but talking the correct angles can sometimes prove complicated. Getting professional coaching should help, but improvements must arrive almost immediately to avoid getting buried down the depth chart.
Medrano is a player to watch. Rookie minicamp is the first step on the road to silencing his doubters.