Adam Peters had a big job on his hands this offseason. The Washington Commanders stumbled through another underwhelming campaign in 2023 en route to the No. 2 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. A significant roster overhaul was needed to get this once-proud franchise off its knees and back to competitiveness.
Peters had significant financial resources and a bounty of draft selections. The general manager came into the organization with a glowing reputation. After a frantic recruitment period, he's come out on the other end with extreme credit.
The Commanders' roster looks much improved from that which concluded Ron Rivera's final season as head coach. There is a lot of hard work ahead and some holes to fill, but fans are starting to believe something special could be brewing in the nation's capital.
Players are now jockeying for positions and aiming to catch the eye of Dan Quinn's coaching staff. It'll be fascinating to watch this unfold in the weeks and months ahead, but the increased competition for places could be exactly what's required to raise standards when push comes to shove.
Looking at how things stand after a memorable spring, we projected how the Commanders' 53-man roster might look heading into Week 1 of the 2024 season. However, the promise of additional arrivals cannot be dismissed with Peters leading the charge.
Commanders special teams (3)
- Tress Way (P), Brandon McManus (K), Tyler Ott (LS).
Tress Way might not be wearing the No. 5 anymore following a classy gesture from the Pro Bowl punter, but he remains an important presence on the field and one of the respected leaders in the locker room. This is the final year of his deal, so there's also some added incentive attached to his production next season with a new contract pending.
Tyler Ott is going to be the long-snapper after the Washington Commanders finally put Camaron Cheeseman out of his misery in 2023. After another erratic campaign from Joey Slye, those in power acquired Brandon McManus to fill the kicking void.
McManus also took a step back last season, especially with deep attempts. However, he's experienced with proven production of coming through in clutch situations.
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.
Commanders DL (9)
- Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, Dorance Armstrong Jr., Johnny Newton, Phidarian Mathis, Dante Fowler Jr., Clelin Ferrell, K.J. Henry, Efe Obada.
The Washington Commanders needed to find defensive line reinforcements, especially on the edge. Those in power traded Chase Young and Montez Sweat, which negated any consistent pass rush over the second half of 2023. Thankfully, this didn't go unnoticed by general manager Adam Peters as part of his roster revamp.
Dorance Armstrong Jr., Clelin Ferrell, and Dante Fowler Jr. were all acquired in free agency. The Commanders also secured the services of Johnny Newton at No. 36 overall, who could be a dominant interior rusher behind Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen if his foot issues don't linger into the campaign.
Phidiarian Mathis is tentatively preferred to John Ridgeway III, but that's no guarantee whatsoever. Hopes remain high regarding K.J. Henry's development and Dan Quinn is a known fan of Efe Obada, which indicates he'll be on the 53-man roster when all hope seemed lost.
Commanders OL (9)
- Brandon Coleman, Nick Allegretti, Tyler Biadasz, Sam Cosmi, Andrew Wylie, Cornelius Lucas, Ricky Stromberg, Chris Paul, Mike Deiter.
Despite some intriguing arrivals throughout free agency and the 2024 NFL Draft, the Commanders' offensive line still has questions to answer. This bares more significance on the edge, with Andrew Wylie getting the opportunity to start at right tackle once again after an indifferent first campaign with the franchise.
Things look even graver on the blindside. The Commanders drafted Brandon Coleman at No. 67 overall, but many analysts believe his lack of legitimate NFL size and length make him better suited to the interior. Washington's coaching staff will give him every chance, but they also re-signed Cornelius Lucas as an insurance policy.
Tyler Biadasz and Nick Allegretti should solidify the interior alongside the ultra-consistent Sam Cosmi. Ricky Stromberg might get a look at the rotation once again. The same goes for Chris Paul, but nothing can be said with any genuine conviction based on how things unfolded during the previous campaign.
Commanders TEs (3)
- Zach Ertz, Ben Sinnott, John Bates.
It's all changed in the Commanders' tight end room this offseason, which represents a refreshing change of pace and should help enormously. Logan Thomas was a salary-cap casualty as expected thanks to the savings of more than $6 million attached. Those in power opted to sign Zach Ertz in free agency thanks in no small part to his previous connection to offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.
That wasn't all the Commanders did to reinforce their options. Adam Peters identified Ben Sinnott as a high-priority target at No. 53 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. He's got some work to do from a route-running standpoint, but the potential to become the complete package is there for all to see.
Much will depend on how many tight ends the Commanders take through. If the decision is three, then John Bates' blocking capabilities make him the favorite over guys such as Cole Turner and Armani Rogers.
Commanders WRs (6)
- Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Luke McCaffrey, Olamide Zaccheaus, Jamison Crowder, Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint.
The Washington Commanders didn't do much to fortify their wide receiving options this offseason. This was surprising when one considers the resources available to Adam Peters, but there's a high chance of another capable body coming into the organization depending on how things unfold over early off-season workouts.
Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson are the undisputed starters. Luke McCaffrey is someone who could potentially help as a rookie with additional refinement after becoming the No. 100 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. Olamide Zaccheaus is a dependable possession guy but nothing more. Jamison Crowder got a new deal and should help on the rotation and as a kick returner.
It's also worth keeping a close eye on Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint. The undrafted free agent out of Georgia made a splash during Washington's rookie minicamp and boasts the skill set to potentially make the team over someone like Dyami Brown.
Commanders RBs (3)
- Brian Robinson Jr., Austin Ekeler, Chris Rodriguez Jr.
It was more a case of tweaking the Commanders' running back options rather than implementing a significant makeover this offseason. Antonio Gibson left in free agency for the New England Patriots, which wasn't surprising. He was replaced and upgraded with the signing of Austin Ekeler.
This provides the Commanders with a legitimate one-two punch capable of causing havoc to opposing defenses. If Ekeler and Brian Robinson Jr. are used effectively, there's just no telling what this combination of youth and experience can accomplish within offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury's system.
The Commanders also have Chris Rodriguez Jr. as their No. 3 option. After the former sixth-round selection flashed during his rookie campaign, he might get an increase in carries as Washington looks to become a more balanced offensive attack to make things easier for the offensive line.
Commanders QBs (2)
- Jayden Daniels, Marcus Mariota.
After exhausting assessments and speculation around the media, the Commanders settled on Jayden Daniels at No. 2 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. This brought a level of excitement to the nation's capital that hadn't been seen since Robert Griffin III. The Heisman Trophy winner out of LSU is also eager to maximize the significant opportunity that awaits in D.C.
Daniels has everything one looks for in a franchise-caliber quarterback. His mechanics are outstanding and his escapability from the pocket is extraordinary. The player cannot do it alone, but he should be able to thrive with the correct support system attached.
The Commanders readied for Daniels' arrival long before the pick was made. They moved swiftly in free agency to sign Marcus Mariota, who boasts a similar skill set and can be a dependable backup mentor for the team's new prized possession.
It would be surprising if the Commanders took three signal-callers onto their roster. At the same time, it cannot be dismissed entirely.