Robert McDaniel - Commanders DB
Undrafted free agents and veterans down on their luck will likely get the lion's share of reps against the New England Patriots. And for some, this could be the first (and last) time they ever suit up for the Washington Commanders.
Robert McDaniel is someone to watch closely. The undrafted free agent out of Jackson State has the size and physical scope Dan Quinn typically looks for in his defensive backs. Washington's staff got a good look at the rookie over offseason workouts, and the early reports were encouraging enough.
That got his foot in the door. There's been less said about McDaniel at training camp, so it'll be interesting to see how the player copes in a typical NFL game-day setting with the spotlight glaring.
McDaniel can play almost anywhere in the secondary. Relying on his eye-catching explosiveness and anticipation is only going to serve him well. But playing mistake-free is the main thing.
Carl Davis Jr. - Commanders DL
The Commanders brought Carl Davis Jr. back into the mix later than most who contributed last season. Adam Peters wants strength in numbers across the defensive trenches. Nothing is guaranteed, so it'll be interesting to see how the dynamic shakes out in the coming weeks.
Davis' roster spot isn't locked by any stretch of the imagination. He seems pretty low down the depth chart, which could mean he's in line for significant reps to kick off the preseason.
What comes after that is down to Davis. The former third-round pick out of Iowa featured three times during the regular season. He also secured five tackles in the NFC Championship game, although the result didn't exactly go in the Commanders' favor.
Unlike some young upstarts in Washington, Davis brings valuable experience to the table. He's a solid pro entering his 10th year. There were some frailties against the run, but his explosiveness in pass-rushing situations left a mark.
Andre Jones Jr. - Commanders DE/OLB
There's a growing sense that the Commanders' defensive front might not be the lost cause some feared earlier this offseason. They held their own and more versus the New England Patriots in joint practice, which is another positive for a group that is aiming to silence some increasing doubters in 2025.
None of Washington's starting unit will play at Gillette Stadium. That means the stage is set for those on the roster bubble to flourish, which puts the onus squarely on players like Andre Jones Jr. to produce.
Jones spent most of last season on the practice squad. That dented the former seventh-round pick's ambitions, but the Commanders saw enough in the player to keep him around on a reserve/futures contract this offseason. Capitalizing on the chance is crucial.
The Commanders would be wise to give Jones all he can handle during the preseason. He remains a long shot to make the team, but who knows what could happen if he turns on the style.