5 vulnerable Commanders who could be sacrificed for 2024 waiver claims
By Dean Jones
Adam Peters and his staff are navigating a frantic few days before their roster for the 2024 season becomes final. The Washington Commanders went through a difficult process of parting ways with dozens of hopefuls to trim their squad from 90 to an initial 53. Now, the new general manager must scour the waiver wire and vested veteran pool for potential additions they feel can help get the organization back to respectability.
Peters is displaying ruthless aggression in his roster-building process. He's purged draft picks from the Ron Rivera era in favor of players who fit into the newfound way of thinking more effectively. If the respected front-office executive feels like more moves are needed, he won't hesitate to pull the trigger.
That seems entirely possible considering the Commanders have a bundle of salary-cap space and sit at No. 2 in the waiver wire priority list. This also means that some who got survived his opening cull during final cuts face an anxious wait before Washington's first wave of claims are processed.
With this in mind, here are five vulnerable Commanders players who could be sacrificed for waiver wire pickups after final cuts.
Vulnerable Commanders players who could be sacrificed for waiver claims
Percy Butler - Commanders S
This could have easily been anyone else lower down the safety depth chart. However, general manager Adam Peters is more than willing to part ways with those drafted by the previous regime. That makes Percy Butler vulnerable despite showing signs of life this offseason.
One only has to look at K.J. Henry's fate to see that. The ascending young edge presence was comfortably Washington's best pass-rusher throughout the preseason. That wasn't enough to stick around over those who were sought by Peters.
The Washington Commanders have a surplus at the safety spot, especially considering sixth-rounder Dominique Hampton can play there despite being listed as a linebacker. Butler's special teams production might be his saving grace, but there's just no telling for sure given how many Rivera picks from the college ranks have fallen by the wayside in recent months.