Matt Gulbin - Commanders OL
Releasing starting center Tyler Biadasz was a brave call by Adam Peters this offseason. The veteran was popular in the locker room and a solid performer on the field, but the Washington Commanders thought a fresh start was needed at the offensive line anchor position.
Nick Allegretti is slotted in to start. His production at either guard position was inconsistent at best over his first two years with the club, but he did play well at center when Biadasz got hurt. Confidence is growing in his outlook, but the Commanders will still make the veteran earn it this summer.
That's where Matt Gulbin comes in. The sixth-round pick has some decent college experience at Michigan State, and he could eventually develop into a serviceable starter or depth upgrade. But if the first-year pro picks things up quicker than expected, this competition for the center role will be a lot closer than fans think.
Allegretti is still the favorite. He's got proven credentials and received a new contract extension this offseason. Gulbin might have longer-term upside, but the best way to help him improve is to throw him into the fire.
Whether the Commanders will or not is debatable. Either way, Gulbin will be a name to watch closely at training camp and in Washington's preseason games.
Kain Medrano - Commanders LB
The top four linebacker spots are filled. Frankie Luvu, Jordan Magee, free-agent signing Leo Chenal, and No. 7 pick Sonny Styles will lead the charge, which promises to be an outstanding quartet for new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones to depend on throughout the campaign.
Unfortunately, that leaves little room for the rest. If the Commanders take through five linebackers, those on the fringes and fighting it out for one position, which makes it a fine-margin situation for every hopeful.
The microscope will be greater on Kain Medrano in Year 2 with the club. Last year's sixth-round selection was given all the time he needed to develop, but he didn't see defensive snaps and played only a small role on special teams. That wasn't a great shock, but more is required this time around.
Medrano's athleticism is absolutely off the charts. He remains an unknown quantity, and there is still a rawness to his game. The Commanders wouldn't task him with much involvement on the defensive rotation, so carving out a niche on special teams could be his only path to sticking around.
Head coach Dan Quinn praised Medrano for the strides made over Washington's early offseason program. If the same trend continues this summer, he might just edge out veteran Nick Bellore.
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