Commanders 53-man 2024 roster projection: Offseason overhaul edition
By Dean Jones
Commanders safeties (5)
- Darrick Forrest, Jeremy Chinn, Dominique Hampton, Percy Butler, Jeremy Reaves.
The Washington Commanders didn't keep many free agents around. Adam Peters saw this as a good opportunity to start fresh and mold the roster as he saw fit, something which led to the departure of starting safety Kamren Curl despite his impressive production since entering the league.
Curl didn't get a contract offer and signed for the Los Angeles Rams. Jeremy Chinn was signed as a replacement, who's got some outstanding athletic intangibles and could form a productive backend partnership with Darrick Forrest within Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr.'s defensive scheme.
Dominique Hampton, Jeremy Reaves, and Percy Butler might round off the depth chart. Quinn also has the option to shift former second-round selection Quan Martin to his college position of safety when the situation dictates.
Commanders cornerbacks (7)
- Emmanuel Forbes, Benjamin St-Juste, Michael Davis, Mike Sainristil, Quan Martin, Christian Holmes, Noah Igbinoghene.
Another veteran departure could be more sorely felt. Kendall Fuller's production was better than most last season, but it wasn't enough to get another contract from the Commanders, leaving him free to join the Miami Dolphins in free agency.
Emmanuel Forbes and Benjamin St-Juste are the starting outside tandem as it stands, which is a huge gamble based on their performance levels last season. Mike Sainristil is a second-round pick with immediate impact potential in the slot. Michael Davis should also help as a situational coverage presence, and we've already spoken about how Quan Martin's versatility could thrive within Dan Quinn's scheme.
Christian Holmes and Noah Igbinoghene round off this initial cornerback depth chart. However, don't be surprised if Adam Peters acquires another option before Week 1.
Commanders LBs (6)
- Bobby Wagner, Frankie Luvu, Anthony Pittman, Jamin Davis, Jordan Magee, Javontae Jean-Baptiste.
After the linebacking corps became an afterthought for the entirety of Ron Rivera's four-year tenure, Adam Peters went about changing this immediately. The Commanders made strengthening their defensive second level among their top priorities throughout the offseason, which began by signing Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner to become a potentially dominant starting duo.
Luvu and Wagner are two of the best around, with good reason. Their presence should also allow the Commanders to deploy Jamin Davis where he's best suited. After the team didn't pick up his fifth-year option, the former first-round pick out of Kentucky has plenty of motivation to produce the goods in a contract year.
There is plenty of intrigue attached to rookie Jordan Magee. Anthony Pittman is an exceptional special teamer and should make the team. Looking at seventh-rounder Javontae Jean-Baptiste's athletic profile, moving him to a stand-up outside linebacker in obvious pass-rushing situations wouldn't be the worst idea in the world.