4 Commanders UDFAs who could steal a roster spot in 2024

Tyler Owens - Commanders S

General manager Adam Peters made a concerted effort to find athleticism in his 2024 NFL Draft selections. Speed, explosiveness, and power are always solid foundations from which to build in the right environment. This same trend continued when the undrafted free-agent period commenced.

The Washington Commanders targeted Tyler Owens as another high-priority undrafted free agent target. According to Ryan Fowler from The Bleacher Report, the dynamic safety received a $20,000 signing bonus and $225,000 fully guaranteed. This was enough to seal the deal despite substantial interest from elsewhere.

Owens is a work in progress, but his athleticism is absolutely off the charts. The Texas Tech product sent shockwaves through the NFL Scouting Combine with a blistering 4.30-second time in the 40-yard dash. Couple this with a 12-foot-2 broad jump and a 41-inch vertical, it came as no surprise to see him ranked No. 1 among safeties who took their chances in Indianapolis.

There is much more to being a football player, of course. His limited starting experience makes him a gifted yet raw player on the backend. Owens can be hesitant and out of position frequently. But the Commanders see something that can potentially be molded into something more under a coaching staff with proven credentials when it comes to defensive back development.

The Commanders have Quan Martin, Darrick Forrest, Jeremy Chinn, Dominique Hampton, Percy Butler, and Jeremy Reaves all vying for safety reps in a crowded room right now. Owens has a significant task awaiting him in the months ahead, but he comes into the process full of confidence considering what those in power gave him financially.

Whether he can force his way into the team's plans is another matter. He's at the back of a pretty long queue right now. At the same time, Owens' ceiling is higher than most undrafted free agents if everything comes together sooner than anticipated.