Ahkello Witherspoon - Commanders CB
There are still concerns about the Washington Commanders' cornerback unit entering the 2026 season. General manager Adam Peters opted to prioritize other areas of the defense, believing a stronger front seven can make things easier for the entire secondary if everything goes according to plan.
It's a bold strategy, but defensive coordinator Daronte Jones' scheme brings optimism. The clues were writing themselves at OTAs, with Trey Amos, Mike Sainristil, and Amik Robertson already establishing themselves as the starting trio despite the Ole Miss product working his way back from a serious leg injury.
The Commanders have also been experimenting with Quan Martin and Tyler Owens in the nickel, which is an intriguing development. That would only push Ahkello Witherspoon further down the pecking order, and it already looks like the free-agent signing will end up becoming a rotational piece in Washington.
Witherspoon has talent; there is no getting away from that. He's got the size, length, and ball-tracking skills to make a real difference. Unfortunately, staying healthy has been a major complication for the veteran over his NFL career.
Hopefully, that will change with the Commanders. But it's apparent Witherspoon's best-case scenario will be the No. 4 option on Washington's cornerback depth chart next season.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt - Commanders RB
The Washington Commanders' running back dynamic is already among the most fascinating anywhere on the roster. Adam Peters revamped the room this offseason, and David Blough is aiming to run an offense that will depend heavily on the ground game to set the tone.
Rachaad White and Jerome Ford have been among the standout performers at OTAs, which is encouraging. Sixth-round rookie Kaytron Allen wasted no time in making an impact, throwing down the gauntlet to his teammates while flashing promise on the field. Jeremy McNichols is also still around, and his special-teams prowess gives him a fighting chance of making the 53-man roster.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt will also be on the team. His rookie exploits were extraordinary for a seventh-round pick, but he's not settling by any stretch. Even so, that may have to be as part of a committee moving forward.
Croskey-Merritt was held back at OTAs due to injury. It's a precautionary measure at such an early stage of Washington's preparations, but it also gave others a chance to flourish. And they took it.
While the Commanders remain bullish on Croskey-Merritt, it's unclear what role he will have in Blough's system. It'll be important, but just how important remains to be seen.
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