Joshua Josephs - Commanders OLB
The Washington Commanders spared no expense with their edge-rushing improvements this offseason. General manager Adam Peters knew that drastic action was needed, and he duly delivered. Several big-name signings were made in free agency, and he also spent a Day 3 draft pick on Joshua Josephs to further strengthen the ranks.
Josephs fell way below pre-draft projections. The Commanders were only too happy to end the Tennessee product's slide in the fifth round, and the flashes he's already displayed since joining the club could indicate a prominent spot on the rotation is well within his sights.
While the rookie is better known for his pass-rushing exploits, Josephs recently highlighted his coverage ability as something that could assist the Commanders. He put this on full display on the second day of mandatory minicamp, picking off a pass that bounced off the hands of tight end Anthony Firkser — an opportunistic play that spoke volumes about his ability to react quickly to what's going on around him.
This won't go unnoticed by the Commanders. Forcing his way into meaningful reps remains a tall task, but Josephs is off to a good start. And even if it does take a little longer to firmly establish himself, he represents an investment in the future.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt - Commanders RB
While the Washington Commanders didn't have the benefit of running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt on the field during OTAs, his absence was more precautionary than anything else. Now, he's returned, and based on the early indications from minicamp, he's eager to make up some lost time.
It was a rookie campaign that defied expectations. Croskey-Merritt came into the league as the No. 245 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, which was all the motivation he needed to silence his doubters. Taking the next step will be difficult, but he's been working exceptionally hard to ensure last season's heroics become the platform for something more.
Croskey-Merritt has bulked up slightly to cope with the added demands that could be placed on his shoulders. He looked sharp, energetic, and explosive during drills. He also flashed as a pass-catcher out of the backfield, according to those watching from the sidelines.
Head coach Dan Quinn recently stated that Croskey-Merritt's potential as a total-package running back will depend on his ability to pass-block. Fans won't get the chance to see the progress made in that discipline until training camp and the preseason. But everything else seems to be growing nicely.
Add us as a preferred source on Google