Lawrence Cager - Commanders TE
David Blough's new offensive scheme is expected to rely heavily on the tight end position. The Washington Commanders could have a steal on their hands in free-agent signing Chig Okonkwo, who will lead the charge as the pass-catching option after Zach Ertz wasn't brought back.
John Bates will continue as an exceptional blocking presence, and 2024 second-round pick Ben Sinnott could get more involved after a strong offseason. Colson Yankoff also made an early statement, so there might not leave much room for the rest.
That brings Lawrence Cager under the microscope. The Commanders clearly still believe that his eye-catching physical attributes can become something more. After spending much of last season on the practice squad, more is required. And considering he'll be 29 soon, this may be his final chance to leave a lasting impression in Washington.
It seems like Cager is cemented as the fifth tight end at best. Unless there is a monumental surge over the summer, the practice squad could beckon once again.
Javontae Jean-Baptiste - Commanders DE/OLB
Bolstering the edge-rushing room became a high priority for Adam Peters this offseason. Things look a lot better now, but the margin for error is getting a lot slimmer for those further down the depth chart.
Odafe Oweh, K'Lavon Chaisson, fifth-round rookie Joshua Josephs, Charles Omenihu, and Dorance Armstrong Jr. are roster locks. There could be one or two more places for the rest, and several will fancy their chances of staking a claim.
Javontae Jean-Baptiste is among them.
The 2024 seventh-round pick is healthy after his second season ended due to injury after just three games. He's eager to make up for some lost time, and the flashes as a rookie suggest more improvements to arrive. Unfortunately for the Notre Dame product, the Commanders were not going to wait around.
The stakes have been raised for Jean-Baptiste. He'll be fighting it out with the likes of Deatrich Wise Jr. and Drake Jackson for a place on the 53-man squad.
Jacoby Jones - Commanders WR
The numbers game is quickly becoming apparent in the wide receiver room. There are serious questions about the pass-catching options behind Terry McLaurin on the depth chart, with the rumor mill swirling around Brandon Aiyuk's imminent arrival despite his questionable social media activity in recent weeks.
These concerns were reportedly heightened during Washington's mandatory minicamp, which might prompt Adam Peters to act. That's to be determined, but it's not looking especially promising for Jacoby Jones' chances of staking a stronger claim.
Jones became a feel-good story last summer but didn't quite make the team. He was stashed on the practice squad, appearing in one game, where he caught one pass for 25 yards. This was enough for another reserve/futures deal, but others are clearly ahead of him on the depth chart.
Undrafted rookie Jaden Bradley's impressive emergence over Washington's offseason program means the best Jones can probably hope for is the practice squad once again.
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