Sheldon Day - Commanders DT
Sheldon Day was another veteran picked up by the Washington Commanders in between the final cuts and opening day.
Adam Peters knew the Notre Dame graduate from his time with the San Francisco 49ers. During his first season as director of player personnel with the Niners, he plucked Day off waivers after he had been released by the Jacksonville Jaguars. The defensive tackle remained in the Bay Area from 2017-2019, serving as a steady backup in the middle of the defensive line.
The Niners eventually decided to go younger and Day bounced around to several teams leading up to the 2024 season. Peters struck to bring him on board and his contribution was notable.
Defensive tackle was supposed to be a strength of the Commanders this year. The roster had four first or second-round draft picks in the middle of the line, along with John Ridgeway III, a young veteran holdover from recent years. But Peters recognized the need for more depth.
Signing Day allowed the general manager to complete the trade of Ridgeway. And when starter Jonathan Allen went down with an injury in Week 6, the veteran was called on to play a bigger role.
He soon rose above 2022 draft pick Phidarian Mathis as the main backup to starters Daron Payne and Johnny Newton. The Alabama product would be released and other journeyman defenders would arrive to bolster the unit.
Day played about one-quarter of the defensive snaps in 2024, registering 25 tackles and five pressures. He became part of a regular rotation that allowed Payne, Newton, and Allen to rest a bit more. He essentially did exactly what he has done throughout his entire career — providing steady play whenever called upon.
Cornelius Lucas - Commanders OT
Cornelius Lucas was one of the major unsung heroes of the Washington Commanders' last run to the playoffs. The veteran backup took over as the starting left tackle in the second half of the 2020 season and proved he could function in a bigger role. Since then, he has been an occasional starter, while serving as a swing tackle — one of the most important backup roles on a football team.
Lucas began the campaign sharing snaps with Brandon Coleman, allowing the rookie a more gradual introduction to the NFL. When the TCU product was ready for the full-time job, the veteran returned to the bench, ready to jump in if either Coleman or right tackle Andrew Wylie suffered an injury.
In that capacity, Lucas played 40 percent of the team’s offensive snaps. Most came on the left side, but he also filled in for Wylie on the right side on more than 100 reps.
His Pro Football Focus grade of 74.1 was the highest of any tackle on the team. He placed 28th in the entire league, confirming that Lucas is a starting-caliber tackle who serves as an invaluable reserve for the Commanders.