Loser No. 1
Commanders wide receivers
Deebo Samuel Sr. aside, it was a mundane practice from the Washington Commanders' wide receiver group. There were a couple of splashes, but nothing to diminish the concerns around Terry McLaurin not being around, as the second-team All-Pro still awaits a new contract from the franchise.
Michael Gallup and Ja'Corey Brooks made impressive catches on the day. However, the absences of McLaurin and Noah Brown exposed some potential depth issues that cannot go unnoticed by the Commanders. This also led Nicki Jhabvala from The Athletic to speculate whether this showing could give the former third-round pick out of Ohio State some much-needed leverage in negotiations.
The Commanders’ lack of depth at WR is concerning. Terry McLaurin didn’t have a ton of leverage in contract negotiations with the team, but that part is growing increasingly favorable for him.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) August 6, 2025
Nobody was gaining much separation on the outside. That made it more difficult for Jayden Daniels, and it's a problem the Commanders could do without when the regular season begins. That's why McLaurin — and Brown, for that matter — are so vital to their chances of mounting a playoff push in 2025.
Winner No. 2
Zach Ertz - Commanders TE
Zach Ertz might be getting caught up by Father Time, but the veteran tight end proved last season that there is a lot of good football left before walking away from the gridiron entirely. He's also showcased his class throughout Washington's preparations for the new campaign.
Ertz just knows how to get open. Jayden Daniels knows where he's going to be at all times and knows when to deliver the football. It's a difficult skill to master from a chemistry standpoint, but the quarterback-tight end dynamic is right where it needs to be in Washington.
The former second-round pick out of Stanford was among the top performers during joint practice with the Patriots. Beat reporters from both teams noted how effortlessly Ertz was making space for himself. And he's already proven capable of doing the same when the action counts.
Washington wants to get Ben Sinnott more involved in 2025. But Ertz is still the alpha dog in the tight end room until further notice.
Winner No. 3
Trey Amos - Commanders CB
Trey Amos hasn't come to Washington just to make up the numbers. He arrived with a big chip on his shoulder after dropping to No. 61 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. The feisty cornerback is putting it to good use, becoming the starting option opposite Marshon Lattimore on the boundary in double-quick time.
This was the biggest challenge to date for Amos. Going up against the Patriots meant a clash wth former All-Pro wide receiver Stefon Diggs. Aside from one lapse in concentration, it was another test the second-round pick out of Ole Miss passed with flying colors.
Diggs is coming off a torn ACL, and he's not the force of old, but the fact that Amos more than held his own against such a prolific route runner spoke volumes. This should also increase his inner confidence heading into his rookie campaign.
It's another feather in Amos's cap. And the best is yet to come.