Sheldon Day - Commanders DL
Improving in the trenches is crucial if the Washington Commanders want to topple the Philadelphia Eagles this season. They were found wanting against the division rivals in the trenches and paid a heavy price. That cannot continue if head coach Dan Quinn wants to turn the tide.
Releasing Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jonathan Allen was a calculated risk, one that places the onus on others to improve accordingly. Having someone with Javon Kinlaw's size and physicality should help, but it must be a collective effort.
Those further down the pecking order must also contribute when called upon. Eddie Goldman was signed as the run-stopping depth piece. That moves everyone else down, including Sheldon Day, despite the veteran receiving another one-year deal this offseason.
There was plenty to like about Day's efforts last season. His Pro Football Focus grade was the highest of any interior defensive lineman in Washington. That's not exactly a high bar, but it represented a positive step in the right direction nonetheless.
This gives Day a fighting chance of making the team again, but nothing more. Kinlaw, Daron Payne, and Johnny Newton are locked in. Goldman might be too, which leaves perhaps a position or two for others.
That makes Day's situation a precarious one until further notice.
Noah Igbinoghene - Commanders CB
The Commanders made some impressive additions to their cornerback unit this offseason. Two-time Super Bowl winner Jonathan Jones signed in free agency. Washington also spent the No. 61 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft on Trey Amos, who slid dramatically after concerns about a back issue surfaced during his pre-draft medical assessments.
Pro Bowl corner Marshon Lattimore looks explosive and ready to lead the charge after regaining full fitness. Mike Sainristil is the superstar in waiting, and Noah Igbinoghene also got a new one-year deal after demonstrating promise during the previous campaign.
Igbinoghene put together a decent season, by far the best of his professional career so far. But make no mistake, another big effort is needed this time around to keep his place on the 53-man roster.
The former first-round pick out of Auburn is No. 5 on the depth chart as things stand. That could make him a candidate for the roster bubble at training camp, especially if undrafted free agent Car'lin Vigers continues his ascent into roster consideration.
Of all the names on this list, Igbinoghene's removal from the squad would be the most surprising. But that doesn't mean Adam Peters won't cut him loose if performances aren't up to the required standard.