Commanders 53-man 2024 roster projection: Preseason clues edition

Commanders tight ends (3)

• Zach Ertz, John Bates, Ben Sinnott

This is pretty simple. In the summer, I wasn’t sure how the new Washington Commanders' coaching staff would view a blocker like John Bates, nor was I sure of Zach Ertz’s health.

We still haven’t seen anything from Ertz on the field, but reports suggest he will be just fine. He may have lost a step, but the three-time Pro Bowler will do what he was brought in to do - provide his young quarterback with a reliable pass catcher over the middle. Ben Sinnott should eventually overtake him as Jayden Daniels' top threat on seam routes and short crosses.

It was nice to see Bates make a quality catch over the middle in the preseason game against the Miami Dolphins. That was something he could do in his rookie season, but it virtually disappeared from his game over the last two years.

Bates will remain the team’s primary in-line tight end. If he can occasionally sneak downfield, the Commanders have another potential weapon to utilize.

Those three are in. Cole Turner and Colson Yankoff have huge hills to climb if either is to stick. Both are candidates for the practice squad, with the more versatile undrafted free agent having a slightly better chance.

Commanders running backs (4)

• Brian Robinson Jr., Austin Ekeler, Jeremy McNichols, Michael Wiley

Brian Robinson Jr. will start. Austin Ekeler will play a lot, especially on third downs and in the red zone. After that, it is up in the air.

Chris Rodriguez Jr. was a lock once upon a time. However, the former sixth-round selection has had a very pedestrian camp. Meanwhile, versatile free agents like Jeremy McNichols and Michael Wiley have been impressive.

McNichols has spent time with 10 different franchises in his seven-year career. He is a versatile back who can run, catch, and block. He may not be as dynamic as some of the younger players, but Kliff Kingsbury may value the experience he offers.

Wiley, an undrafted free agent out of Arizona, has had an up-and-down camp. He may offer the most long-term upside as a dual-threat option in the backfield.

It would be awkward to walk away from Rodriguez, a 2023 draft pick who flashed some real talent in a very limited role last year. That said, the Kentucky product has not shown much this preseason, and this staff did not choose him.

Commanders quarterbacks (2)

• Jayden Daniels, Marcus Mariota

There is no change here from the summer projection. Jayden Daniels has done everything you could ask during the preseason and will be the starting quarterback unless injury sidelines him. Marcus Mariota, provided he is healthy, will be a quality backup.

Jeff Driskel has played well enough to earn another backup spot, but Washington will only keep two quarterbacks - again provided Mariota is healthy.

If his groin strain takes longer than expected to heal, it is possible that Driskel could survive the final cut and serve as backup in the early season games. That would necessitate dropping another position player to carry a third quarterback until Mariota is fully healthy.

I suspect Mariota will be fine and Driskel will not make it to opening day. Sam Hartman seems an ideal candidate for the practice squad.

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