Colson Yankoff - Commanders TE
Colson Yankoff was a real success story last summer. Nobody gave the tight end much of a chance to make the squad after joining in undrafted free agency. He persevered, fought his way into consideration, and seized chances when they arose. That was enough for the Washington Commanders to reward him accordingly.
Making the 53-man roster was a significant accomplishment for Yankoff. The former UCLA standout worked exceptionally hard to achieve this objective. It didn't come with much involvement on game days, but the experience of being around the squad during a phenomenal campaign is only going to serve him well moving forward.
That's been evident over Washington's preparations for the new campaign to date. Yankoff's caught the eye of coaches and media in attendance. He's improving as a pass-catcher and looks sharper out of his routes. There's a long way to go, but the initial signs are incredibly promising.
Firmly establishing himself in the tight-end room will be tough. Zach Ertz re-signed for another go-around after his superb 2024 efforts. John Bates got a long-term commitment to resume his role as a blocking specialist. Former second-round pick Ben Sinnott received praise from head coach Dan Quinn for his development, so a bigger role could be in the offing.
Yankoff has given himself a fighting chance. At the same time, any complacency at camp will be his downfall.
Jordan Magee - Commanders LB
The Commanders thought a lot of Jordan Magee. They believed he was a steal in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, and it looked like that was the case after the linebacker's sensational start over early offseason workouts.
Unfortunately, Magee suffered a knee injury that required surgery just as some real momentum was starting to build. The Commanders took their time with the rookie upon his return, using him more as a special-teams ace without tasking him with responsibilities on the defensive rotation.
That was the right call. Placing too much on Magee's young shoulders, especially given the Commanders were fighting for playoff standing, could have done more harm than good. It was a small setback, but the former Temple standout has picked up where he left off this time around.
Magee drew rave reviews throughout Washington's offseason program. The second-level presence looked sharp, explosive, and ready to make a difference. He's keen to make up for lost time, which is reflected in his on-field urgency.
Joe Whitt Jr. wants to get him more involved in three-linebacker sets alongside Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner when the situation dictates. Magee's involvement in the defensive rotation throughout early preparations lends more weight to these intentions.