The Washington Commanders finally have momentum to build on after a stunning upset win over the Seattle Seahawks in Week 3. They're also relying heavily on their young players to steer them in the right direction.
General manager Adam Peters implemented a youth movement this offseason. That was desperately needed, but he required his 2026 NFL Draft class and even some undrafted hopefuls to hit the ground running to aid this shift in approach.
Some have come to the fore sooner than expected. Others are taking a little extra time to grow into their respective roles, but none have failed to meet expectations so far.
There is still a long way to go and a lot of football left, but the signs are pointing up for a team that didn't have much hope this time last week.
With three games of the season now in the rearview mirror, we thought it was a good time to check in on the rookies and see how they are faring after a statement victory over Seattle at Northwest Stadium.
Washington Commanders rookie stock report after Week 3 win over the Seattle Seahawks
Drew Stevens - Commanders PK
The Commanders gave undrafted rookie Drew Stevens the starting kicker job this season. He deserved it, and Washington seems willing to ride the waves that come with a first-year kicker getting his first taste of what it takes to succeed in the pros.
Stevens was up and down over his first two games. He missed a couple from distance, but nobody was overly concerned. The Iowa product vowed to be better, and fans got a glimpse of what that might look like in Week 3 against the Seahawks.
In a game decided by razor-thin margins, Stevens was almost flawless. He made both his field goals, including a bomb from 57 yards in difficult conditions. He missed an extra point, but this kind of consistency is what the Commanders need to be more competitive this season.
- Verdict: Stock Up ⬆️
Athan Kaliakmanis - Commanders QB
Third-string quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis is precisely that, and it'll stay this way throughout his rookie season. Beating out Sam Hartman for a roster spot was his biggest offseason objective, and he achieved it with minimal fuss.
This gives him the chance to develop with the team in Year 1 of his professional career, which is all the Commanders need. Kaliakmanis was the QB2 in Week 3 as Jayden Daniels sat out with a dislocated elbow, but he didn't need to see the field thanks to a sterling performance from Marcus Mariota.
However, the Commanders haven't signed a veteran signal-caller off the street, which indicates confidence in Kaliakmanis' capabilities.
Kaliakmanis is a project. But if he keeps making progress behind the scenes, the seventh-round pick out of Rutgers could be in line for the primary backup role behind Daniels in 2027.
- Verdict: Stock Neutral ➡️
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