Most established starters didn't play for the Washington Commanders in their preseason outing against the Miami Dolphins. This provided some lower down the depth chart with a chance to make their presence felt, and they took full advantage.
And for defensive lineman Ricky Barber, his exceptional efforts throughout the contest at Northwest Stadium might be enough to crash the roster conversation.
Barber got a ton of work on Daronte Jones' 3-4 defensive front, and there was a lot to like about the way he went about his business. The 2024 undrafted free agent was explosive off the snap, strong against the run, and even managed to get into the backfield consistently for good measure.
Ricky Barber improves Commanders' roster hopes with stylish preseason display
Finishing with five tackles, one sack, and two quarterback hits was a positive step in the right direction for Barber. He's clearly brimming with confidence and looks well-suited to Jones' demands. If this trend continues over Washington's final two warm-up fixtures, the interior force could find his way onto the 53-man roster.
Daron Payne, Javon Kinlaw, Tim Settle Jr., and Johnny Newton will make the team. Charles Omenihu and maybe even Deatrich Wise Jr. will be on the rotation. All bets are off aside from that, especially with D.J. Davidson opting for retirement.
This isn't the first time Barber has flashed, either.
He caught the eye during his two regular-season appearances for the Commanders in 2025, gaining one sack and five tackles. This experience has clearly served the lineman well, and Barber is looking for even more this time around.
All Barber can do is keep growing and playing to the level Jones expects. Everything after that is out of his hands, but it's clear the Central Florida product is doing enough to get noticed.
And there is a slight opening.
Much will depend on how many defensive linemen the Commanders take through. Jones will have a plan in place, and there might be a few surprises. Everyone has started with a clean slate. Previous reputations no longer matter, and good performances will be rewarded accordingly.
Barber is giving himself a fighting chance. And if it isn't quite enough to go through, the 25-year-old is almost a lock to make the practice squad if another team doesn't scoop him up off the waiver wire beforehand.
Competition breeds success. Jones has his defense humming right now, and they are only going to get better with more familiarity. Where Barber fits into the equation is up for debate right now, but a few more efforts like this will only help change the narrative.
It's early days, but Jones' system and aggressive intent seem to be bringing out the best in Barber. Fans will be eager to see if this clear progress becomes something more.
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