4 Commanders fan favorites who are in danger of being cut before Week 1
By Dean Jones
Efe Obada - Commanders DL
The relationship between Efe Obada and Ron Rivera is renowned. The head coach that gave him a chance to carve out a successful NFL career for himself against all odds with the Carolina Panthers - something he's managed to accomplish effectively by making full use of almost every rep coming his way.
Doing more with less has been the hallmark of Obada's time in the league. While the defensive end's never been able to solidify a starting berth, his consistency as a rotational piece is dependable and something that was more than worthy of another one-year deal from the Washington Commanders this spring.
Obada is deserving and should secure a spot on the 53-man roster. But there is no room for complacency with Chase Young returning and the Commanders drafting two more young pass-rushers that could potentially assist right out of the gate.
Washington traded up for K.J. Henry and also spent their final pick on Andre Jones Jr. Both might need time to develop, but if they come on quicker than anticipated it might result in playing time immediately.
With James Smith-Williams, Casey Toohill, and William Bradley-King also vying for spots on the Commanders' stacked defensive line, Obada cannot take anything for granted. He looks to be in the driver's seat regarding a prominent position on the backup rotation, but there's also a good chance some of the aforementioned young studs can make significant strides with another offseason under their belts.