There are no shortcuts for the Washington Commanders this offseason. Improvements are desperately needed as the team looks to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 campaign. And general manager Adam Peters will be watching developments closely.
Peters will be ruthless. He's already displayed this trait over his three years in charge. Considering how high the stakes are next season, very few should consider their positions secure after Washington's front-office leader raised the bar and increased competition across the board.
And one draft pick is in danger of being the odd man out as a result.
Kain Medrano faces a fight to secure his Commanders' roster spot this summer
The Commanders saw something in Kain Medrano that others didn't last year. His athletic testing at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine was off the charts, but his on-field production had significant flaws that needed to be addressed. However, the linebacker's previous connection to Ken Norton Jr. from their time together at UCLA was enough for Washington to take the plunge.
Medrano made the roster heading into the season, but that's about it.
The Commanders all but redshirted the rookie during his first season in a professional environment. He suited up nine times and didn't play at all on the defensive rotation, despite Washington's lowly record and injury crisis. He did get 133 special-teams snaps, but the jury is still out regarding his overall outlook.
There will come a time when athleticism isn't enough. Looking at the reinforcements Washington acquired for the defensive second level this offseason, Medrano faces a real fight to stay relevant this summer.
The Commanders signed Leo Chenal in free agency. They took Ohio State prospect Sonny Styles at No. 7 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. Frankie Luvu is moving back to his off-ball role, and Washington still has high hopes for Jordan Magee entering a critical Year 3 of his professional career.
These four linebackers are roster locks. Much will depend on how many the Commanders take through, but Medrano has to make huge strides this offseason to justify this place on the squad.
Medrano is in danger of following the same path as Dominique Hampton. He was a Day 3 pick who didn't make an impression in his rookie year. He failed to improve in his second offseason, and a disastrous preseason performance was enough for Peters to cut this experiment short.
Medrano has more about him, and his athletic attributes could potentially replace the aging Nick Bellore on special teams. But this is all predicated on the second-year pro developing under the watchful eye of defensive coordinator Daronte Jones.
Anything less, and Medrano has a huge problem.
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