Tyler Owens - Commanders DB
General manager Adam Peters didn't do much to strengthen the safety position this offseason. There was confidence in the options available despite everyone failing to meet expectations last time around, and Nick Cross was the only notable arrival on a team-friendly deal in free agency.
Daronte Jones, the Commanders' innovative new defensive coordinator, believed he could get more from those who underperformed in 2025. It's early days, and they still need to get the job done when things matter more, but the options available have given the back end a chance of being more competitive.
Veteran Will Harris couldn't meet the same standards and was let go recently. That only strengthens Tyler Owens' chances of making the team, and there have been signs throughout the offseason that suggest he could be in line for a much bigger role.
Owens is being used all over the defense by Jones. He's operated at both safety positions, as a big nickel, at the linebacker spot, and even on the defensive edge. His speed and athleticism could be highly impactful when coming off the edge on blitzes. The Texas Tech product has always had the athleticism, and now, he may finally be putting everything together.
That's worth keeping around. But in a contract year, Owens is under pressure to repay the faith shown in him by Jones.
Jaden Bradley - Commanders WR
The Commanders have some tricky decisions to make at wide receiver. There is a surplus of options, and not everyone will go through. Therefore, a couple of good players will be left out.
Perhaps the Commanders can flip one of their pass-catchers in a trade, depending on who is deemed surplus to requirements. That's to be determined, and the final preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens could reveal a lot.
Terry McLaurin, Stefon Diggs, and third-round rookie Antonio Williams are locks. Luke McCaffrey and Jaylin Lane have special-teams value, so they'll make it as well. That leaves one or two spots for the rest, with Treylon Burks, Dyami Brown, and Van Jefferson Jr. hoping to be included.
Jaden Bradley is also a factor in the equation. And after a superb summer from the undrafted rookie, he's forced his way into the conversation.
Bradley is a playmaker. He's made countless highlight-reel grabs throughout training camp and the preseason. The UNLV product has attached himself to McLaurin, soaking up every piece of available information. The second-team All-Pro is suitably impressed, and a strong outing in Washington's preseason finale might tip the scales in his favor.
And make no mistake; other teams will be watching developments closely.
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