5 Commanders players whose jobs are in danger after the 2023 NFL Draft
By Dean Jones
Andrew Norwell - Commanders OL
It's no secret that the Washington Commanders needed further assistance on their offensive line heading into the 2023 NFL Draft. Andrew Wylie and Nick Gates were decent enough signings in free agency, but it was not enough to install confidence that progress could arrive after such a lackluster season last time around.
While help didn't arrive immediately, it did come late on Day 2 and early on Day 3. Ricky Stromberg and Braeden Daniels were the picks, which adds athletic upside to the interior and increases the level of competition when training camp rolls around.
What the means for Andrew Norwell's immediate future is unclear. The former All-Pro reunited with Ron Rivera last season but failed to fill the void left by Brandon Scherff, which leaves his 2023 prospects hanging in the balance unless major strides are made.
Perhaps Norwell is a little long in the tooth to improve to such a degree. The Commanders also need to save money, which means releasing the veteran interior protector cannot be dismissed despite his close association with Rivera.
Cutting Norwell with a post-June 1 designation saves the Commanders $4.38 million against their cap with just $700,000 in dead money. All things considered, this might be the most likely scenario when push comes to shove.