This time of year is exciting and uncertain in equal measure for most NFL players. Teams have 90-man rosters right now, but that won't be the case for much longer. Whittling this down to 53 is on the immediate horizon, so time is of the essence for those looking to carve out roles for themselves.
The Washington Commanders are starting with a clean slate under the new regime. Adam Peters turned over more than half the roster this offseason. This increases competition for places and should weed out the weak before final cuts arrive.
That sounds harsh, but it's the only way this once-proud franchise is going to progress. Carrying passengers became synonymous with Ron Rivera's four years at the helm. That's not going to be the ethos moving forward, so it's a case of shape up or ship out for players no matter their status under the old staff.
With this in mind, here are five Commanders roster fringe candidates who are making a name for themselves at the team's 2024 training camp.
Commanders fringe roster players making a name for themselves at camp
Jeremy McNichols - Commanders RB
The Washington Commanders seemed pretty set with their running back options heading into the season. Austin Ekeler and Brian Robinson Jr. are the backfield tandem capable of spearheading Kliff Kingsbury's offensive renaissance. Most fans believed Chris Rodriguez Jr. would occupy the No. 3 spot after showcasing some encouraging traits during his rookie campaign.
That's less clear now. Rodriguez still has a stranglehold on the spot, but Jeremy McNichols is staking a strong claim for roster involvement based on how things are unfolding at camp according to those in attendance.
McNichols is a journeyman who spent last season with the San Francisco 49ers. He's someone known to Adam Peters, so the new general manager must have seen something he believes can be of use to the Commanders next season.
The former Boise State standout shouldn't take anything for granted, especially considering Rodriguez's raised performance levels during the first day of padded practice. McNichols' chances look better now than when camp began, but enhancing this newfound momentum is crucial.
Brycen Tremayne - Commanders WR
Establishing roles in the wide receiver room is an important objective for the Washington Commanders this offseason. Terry McLaurin is the undisputed alpha of the unit after displaying remarkable consistency in difficult circumstances since entering the league. Aside from that, everything else must be earned.
Jahan Dotson and Luke McCaffrey have done nothing to suggest they won't be integral pieces. Olamide Zaccheaus is also thriving when called upon. One unheralded pass-catcher is another who looks more than capable of rising from obscurity into a roster spot.
The Commanders must be thrilled with what they've seen from Brycen Tremayne. He's 6-foot-4 with the athleticism to get the football at its highest point. He's also developing his body control and strength in contested catch situations to raise enthusiasm about his chances further.
Much like the situation with most on the roster bubble, how Tremayne performs during preseason involvement will be crucial. He's got a fan on the coaching staff having worked with Tavita Pritchard closely during their time together at Stanford. Making a difference when targets arrive in a typical game-day environment can be enough to tip the scales in his favor.
Tyler Owens - Commanders S
Being an undrafted free agent is difficult. You're starting from the bottom and don't get the same reps as others. This raises the stakes to perform well when called upon and move up the ladder in pursuit of making the 53-man roster.
The Commanders are giving everyone on the 90-man squad a chance to prove themselves. Some are thriving with the spotlight glaring. Tyler Owens fits into this category after catching the eye over the first few days of camp.
Owens was a highly coveted undrafted prospect this spring. The Commanders handed the safety a decent contract to secure his services. This looks like money well spent so far, but whether it's enough to force his way into the team's plans remains to be seen.
There's a lot to like about Owens' size and strength. He doesn't look overawed and boasts the quick-fire instincts needed to become impact with a little extra refinement. That's exactly what Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. want from their defensive backs.
The Commanders have a big decision to make with the Texas Tech product if the same trend continues. They'd be running a huge risk by placing him on waivers in pursuit of bringing him back onto the practice squad looking at his performance levels. That's how good Owens has been during his first foray into the NFL.
Sam Hartman - Commanders QB
Opportunities have been fleeting so far for Sam Hartman. The undrafted free agent remains down the pecking order after wholesale changes to the Washington Commanders' quarterback room this offseason. When he's been given reps, the production is highly encouraging and warrants closer examination in the coming weeks.
Not many expect Hartman to make the team. The Commanders are moving forward with No. 2 overall selection Jayden Daniels as their starting signal-caller. Marcus Mariota is the veteran backup, although his indifferent production throughout Washington's training camp is moderately concerning - something that puts him closer to Jeff Driskel than the No. 1 spot.
This was always going to be a gradual process for Hartman. The former Wake Forest and Notre Dame star looks the part during drills and scrimmages based on the thoughts of those in attendance. Head coach Dan Quinn also stated he'll get more involvement when practices go longer and preseason games arrive.
That will be the ultimate measuring stick for Hartman. Even though his chances have been fleeting up to now, he's given himself a fighting chance of staking a claim for the third quarterback spot or perhaps even a position on the practice squad if he clears waivers.
Tariq Castro-Fields - Commanders CB
Dan Quinn likes his cornerbacks to play fast and physically. They also need the right size and length to cope with significant responsibilities. The position group gets high demands placed on them within his schematic concepts. That won't change entering his first season as Commanders' head coach in 2024.
Tariq Castro-Fields was on the roster bubble entering Washington's first training camp under the new regime. He's done his chances no harm so far, even getting some reps with the first unit in recognition of his outstanding contribution according to those in attendance.
Castro-Fields has the physical profile to potentially thrive within Quinn's system. The defensive back was also drafted by the San Francisco 49ers when Adam Peters held an influential front-office position within the organization. It's a slight confidence boost - something the player has grasped with both hands up to now.
There is a lot of hard work ahead for Castro-Fields. At the same time, he's gone from a relative afterthought to potentially securing his place on the 53-man roster in double-quick time. Building on this positive momentum over Washington's remaining camp sessions and preseason games will cement his status.