The Washington Commanders are gearing up for the rookie minicamp this week. Adam Peters' draft picks and undrafted free agents will take center stage, trying to immediately establish themselves. However, several others will also be aiming to impress enough for a prolonged stay.
And there is one notable tryout who fits the Peters mold perfectly.
According to team insider Ben Standig, the Commanders are taking a closer look at offensive lineman Noah Fenske during their rookie minicamp. The versatile protector has experience anywhere on the interior, which could be useful for depth. He also spent considerable time at the center position during his final college campaign at Southern Illinois.
Commanders eager to see if Noah Fenske's athleticism can become something more
Of course, that is where the Commanders may have a weakness.
Starting option Tyler Biadasz was released this offseason. Nick Allegretti is the frontrunner to take over after getting an early extension. Washington found a contingency plan in Day 3 draft pick Matt Gulbin, who could be a long-term starter with some extra polish.
Fenske is looking to earn an opportunity to stick around over the summer. He also possesses something Allegretti and Gulbin do not.
Elite athleticism.
After some standout testing throughout the pre-draft process, Fenske earned a 9.90 Relative Athletic Score, placing him in the upper percentile. It ranks eighth out of 709 centers since 1987, which showcases the potential at his disposal.
That's the positive working in Fenske's favor. But this is not a sure thing by any stretch of the imagination.
Fenske needs to improve his play strength to stand any chance of making a career in the pros. There are technical flaws to address, but the lineman believes his speed and versatility can be a factor if somebody takes the plunge.
"My speed and versatility on the O-line. I’ve played every position in college starting games at left tackle and center and at Colorado coming in at guard. Having played all positions has helped me grow and understand the game."
The Commanders are intrigued enough to give him a tryout, but what comes next is down to the player. There is no margin for error, and there isn't much time to make an impression. Fenske will know that better than anybody, providing him the urgency needed to give himself a fighting chance.
In truth, it's a long shot. Fenske couldn't be much lower down the food chain if he tried, so nothing but flawless production and the right work ethic will do. That will only improve his hopes of earning a contract, but it could legitimately go either way.
But considering how Peters values players with high RAS marks, don't count Fenske out just yet.
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