10 Commanders draft picks under threat at 2024 training camp

Ricky Stromberg - Commanders OL

• No. 97 overall | 2023 NFL Draft

If Chris Paul can earn himself a roster spot, it could come at the expense of Ricky Stromberg.

It would be odd to walk away from a third-round pick after just one year, but he was not chosen by the current general manager or coaching staff. Any advantage Stromberg might have had based on draft pedigree is swept away as he begins his second season.

Stromberg did not perform very well in limited action last year before injury ended his season. Of course, the Arkansas product needs to show he is fully recovered from his complication. But he also must prove to be a reliable backup at both center and guard.

He would seem to be in direct competition with Michael Deiter, who can also play both spots. Adam Peters signed the veteran in free agency. Like Stromberg, he entered the league as a third-round draft pick.

Deiter got a few snaps with the starters during this year's Washington Commanders' mandatory minicamp, but that may not mean much. If he continues to take more snaps with the starters as training camp progresses, that could be trouble for Stromberg.

Cole Turner - Commanders TE

• No. 149 overall | 2022 NFL Draft

After a forgettable rookie campaign, Cole Turner looked good in the 2023 preseason. However, once the season began, he was invisible, seemingly stuck behind veteran Logan Thomas on the depth chart.

Thomas was released this offseason. Another veteran flex tight end, Zach Ertz, was brought on board. Then the Commanders spent a high draft pick on promising rookie Ben Sinnott at No. 53 overall.

Sinnott and Ertz would both appear to be ahead of Turner at this point. That could leave him battling Armani Rogers and Colson Yankoff for a spot that may not even exist.

If the team decides to keep John Bates as its one in-line tight end, they may only go with three on their 53-man roster in total. It is difficult to predict how new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury plans to employ his tight ends. Sinnott - and to a lesser extent, Yankoff - fit the profile of a hybrid who lines up all over the field. Perhaps Turner is capable of that as well.

Washington’s deployment of its tight ends under Ron Rivera was very pedestrian. Turner has talent, but he will need to show it off during training camp to earn himself a roster spot.