Commanders 2023 practice squad projection prior to final cuts

Commanders LBs

• Marcus Haynes.

The Washington Commanders will keep four linebackers on the final 53. I don’t think any of the others will be retained, though they seem to like Milo Eifler.

Marcus Haynes, who is likely to be cut by the Denver Broncos, is better than anybody the Commanders currently have in reserve. The former Old Dominion standout is more of a 3-4 edge linebacker whose strength is rushing the passer. But he is active and can play the run as well.

His chances for long-term success seem better to me than any other options the Commanders currently boast within an underwhelming position group.

Commanders CBs

• Rachad Wildgoose, Jace Whittaker.

On my final roster, I have Danny Johnson going to in-season injured/reserve, so he will make the final roster and then be shifted to the injured list. Rachad Wildgoose would seem to be his natural replacement, but I think Nick Whiteside has earned that spot.

Wildgoose and Jace Whittaker go to the practice squad for depth.

Commanders safeties

• Terrell Burgess.

Terrell Burgess is another veteran, and I think the Commanders will place a high priority on retaining him. He may be the player most likely to be stolen away by another team in need of back-end help, but if no one comes calling, he will be a very solid depth piece.

I am leaving the final spot open because I am sure there is a player who is not on my radar who will be signing to the Commanders' practice squad within a week or two of the final cuts.

The final spot could go to one of the players I have referenced here like Nolan Laufenberg or Milo Eifler, but I suspect that in addition to E.J. Jenkins and Marcus Haynes, there is at least one other player currently on another team who will be a Commander come September.

if you really want to think outside the box, pay attention to play-by-play man Chick Hernandez’s slip-up in the Cincinnati Bengals game when he referred to Brandon Dillon as Dillon Brooks. I suppose that's what comes from calling both NFL and NBA games.

But I swear, if you put 20 pounds on Brooks, you’ve got a dynamite edge defender. I wouldn’t put down actual money on that, but it’s fun to think about.