The Washington Commanders are in a good place right now. Head coach Dan Quinn was eager to raise the urgency across the board over early offseason workouts. But this period of the team's preparations also heightened a glaring roster issue that cannot be ignored.
General manager Adam Peters took a big gamble with his cornerback options this offseason. The Commanders prioritized their defensive front seven, which they believe can make things easier across the secondary. It's a risk, but defensive coordinator Daronte Jones' scheme offers reasons for optimism.
The starting three cornerback spots seem locked up. Trey Amos and Mike Sainristil are high draft investments with long-term upside. The Commanders signed Amik Robertson in free agency, whose competitiveness and veteran presence have already left a positive impression.
Aside from that, the Commanders have a problem.
Commanders' cornerback depth could use more dependability before the 2026 season
Depth behind them is sketchy. Ahkello Witherspoon remains the likeliest to gain rotational reps, but his up-and-down performance at Washington's mandatory minicamp and his inability to stay healthy are problematic. The fact that Washington is experimenting with Quan Martin and Tyler Owens in the nickel position speaks volumes.
Antonio Hamilton Sr., Tre Hawkins III, Car'lin Vigers, and maybe even undrafted rookie Fred Davis II are other candidates to make the team. Not exactly household names, but the Commanders clearly think they have enough as it stands. And if Martin or Owens is moving into the unit, they might be right.
Peters has plenty of cash to spend on additional reinforcements if needed. The options look a little thin in the veteran pool right now, but good players are going to get released elsewhere around the league. The Commanders might see how the room fares as training camp intensifies, which will provide a broader assessment of where things stand and whether another option is needed.
Jones' defense will be versatile, creative, and aggressive. Amos could be a shutdown presence with further development and a clear run on the health front. Sainristil is opportunistic but needs to improve his discipline in coverage. Robertson is positive, but he's undersized and has limitations. Couple this with the unknowns around the depth pieces, and the Commanders may need more.
All hope is not lost, especially considering Jones' previous reputation for developing defensive backs. But if Peters has even the slightest doubt, he must be aggressive to bolster the corner unit.
There is too much at stake next season for anything less.
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