Commanders 53-man roster prediction after the 2023 NFL Draft

Commanders LBs (5)

• Jamin Davis, Cody Barton, Drew White, Milo Eifler, David Mayo

No spot on the roster has defied logic more than linebacker. With a former linebacker as head coach and a former linebacker as defensive coordinator, you would think this would be one area the Washington Commanders would really nail down.

But over the last two seasons, they have addressed the lack of talent at the second level by running more and more defensive sets with either one or two on the field. The base defense is now a 4-2-5, with a big nickel hybrid of a cornerback and safety in place of the traditional third linebacker.

Assuming they continue that trend, young speedy starters Jamin Davis and Cody Barton should be well suited to the task. After that, I think Drew White would have had an excellent shot to make the roster last season if he hadn’t gotten injured. And the team likes the athletic Milo Eifler.

They also seem very comfortable with David Mayo, so I think he gets the fifth spot ahead of Khaleke Hudson and Nate Gerry. I suspect one of them winds up on the practice squad.

Either way, the Commanders are running a big risk by moving forward with this current group. Something that won't go unnoticed by their NFC East rivals when the real action begins.