5 Commanders candidates to be cut going into the summer

Dax Milne - Commanders WR/KR

One could forgive fans for forgetting Dax Milne was still on the roster.

The Washington Commanders sent the wide receiver to season-ending injured reserve before the 2023 campaign began. It's a case of being out of sight, out of mind. Therefore, hitting the ground running under the new coaching regime is critical to force his way into their plans.

Milne has his work cut out in no uncertain terms. The Commanders didn't stand still in the wideout room as anticipated, signing Olamide Zaccheaus in free agency and spending a third-round selection on Luke McCaffrey. Couple this with Jamison Crowder penning a one-year extension, and things are looking bleak for the former seventh-round selection out of BYU.

It'll be difficult for Milne to establish himself. Thanks to his ability as a kick returner and the new NFL rules, it's not impossible.

The league decided to make the return game more exciting by implementing changes that could benefit the receiving team. This means the Commanders will need two capable returners on the field at all times. Crowder will be one unless there's a drastic shift, so Milne must leave no doubt he's worthy of being the other.

There are other options the Commanders could utilize. Jahan Dotson, Kazmeir Allen, and perhaps even Emmanuel Forbes might be useful possibilities for the coaching staff to consider. This trio could also provide more assistance in other areas, so the task awaiting Milne couldn't be more challenging.

He'll get a shot at proving himself. Everyone is starting with a clean slate, but the margin for error is slimmer than ever for Milne.

If the Commanders acquire another wide receiver in the coming weeks - which is entirely possible once roster assessment discussions begin after Washington's mandatory minicamp - Milne could be sacrificed. That might seem a little harsh, but Adam Peters' business-first model means it's a genuine possibility in this scenario.