How could the Washington Commanders' 53-man roster look now that their 2023 NFL Draft engagements have come to an end?
Through free agency and the NFL Draft, the Washington Commanders have added more than 25 new players to their roster. Some are high-profile picks and free agents who have started in the NFL. Many are under-the-radar kids trying to find a home with a pro team.
The Commanders may have gone into this off-season fairly confident in what they had at wide receiver, safety, and along the defensive line. But that didn’t stop them from signing players from every position group. And there will be more to come.
As teams assess their position after the draft, some valuable veterans may find themselves released due to salary cap constraints. That’s how the Commanders acquired starters like Charles Leno Jr. and Bobby McCain over the past few years.
So even though the opening day is obviously far, far away, let’s take an early look at how the Commanders' 53-man roster might shape up for the 2023 season.
Commanders QBs (2)
- Sam Howell, Jacoby Brissett
The Washington Commanders did not draft a quarterback as many thought they would. They seem content to go into the season with Sam Howell, Jacoby Brissett, and a lot of uncertainty.
Ron Rivera has said that the competition is open, but I have to believe that Howell will be given every chance to win the job. He looked pretty good in his one-game last season.
Watching from the sidelines for an entire season is a luxury for a young quarterback. There was nothing in Howell’s performance against the Dallas Cowboys to suggest the pro game is too big for him.
In case it is, Brissett is a durable, reliable backup who has proven he can step in and guide a team. He will not be as exciting as Taylor Heinicke has been over the past two seasons, but that may be a good thing.
As of now, Jake Fromm and newly signed undrafted free agent Tim DeMorat will compete for a spot on the practice squad and as the emergency quarterback.
Commanders RBs (3)
- Brian Robinson, Antonio Gibson, Chris Rodriguez Jr.
By drafting bruising runner Chris Rodriguez Jr., the Commanders clarified their backfield plans. Brian Robinson Jr. will be the clear starter, the rookie will spell him every few series, and get some short-yardage work.
Antonio Gibson will slide into the third-down spot previously held by J.D. McKissic. He was a wide receiver in college (McKissic also began his college career as a receiver), so he should be very effective on screens, while also having the ability to take linebackers downfield.
Veterans Jonathan Williams, Jaret Patterson, and Alex Armah could wind up on the practice squad. Williams would be the logical call-up should Robinson go down.
Commanders WRs (6)
- Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel, Jahan Dotson, Dyami Brown, Marcus Kemp, Kazmeir Allen
The first three are locks. Curtis Samuel may depart the Washington Commanders after this season, but Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson should be providing potent outside threats for many years to come.
Dyami Brown has been the subject of some trade talk, but I doubt they could get much value for him, so it makes sense to give him another year. He will be playing with his college quarterback Sam Howell in 2023, which will be his final chance to show what he can do in Washington.
Marcus Kemp slots right into the spot vacated by Cam Sims. He’s a big receiver who offensive coordinator Eric Beinemy knows from their time together with the Kansas City Chiefs, but his primary value will be on special teams.
Kazmeir Allen is the other newcomer. The undrafted free agent from UCLA will get every chance to become the Commanders' new return specialist. He has some experience running out of the backfield, so he could also provide gadget depth should Samuel be sidelined.
This will leave Dax Milne on the outside looking in. He may latch on with another team. If not, he will be on Washington’s practice squad.
Alex Erickson or Kyler McGowan could fill the practice squad spot in the event that Milne leaves.
Commanders TEs (4)
- Logan Thomas, John Bates, Armani Rogers, Cole Turner
There was a lot of speculation that Logan Thomas would be a salary dump this off-season. This could have led the Washington Commanders to look for a tight end in a draft that boasted a lot of quality prospects.
But Eric Bienemy has publicly declared support for his current groups. That confidence was borne out when Washington passed on the position in the draft, even if it did come as a surprise to many.
Thomas is the tight end No. 1, and John Bates is the steady in-line blocking option. Cole Turner showed nothing in his rookie season, but hopefully, now fully healthy, he will be able to flash some of the play-making ability that caused the Commanders to draft him last year.
If he falters, Armani Rogers displayed a lot of playmaking upside in limited use last season. Something that might indicate more could be in the offing under Bieniemy's masterful offensive scheme that was heavily reliant on tight-end production during his trophy-laden spell with the Kansas City Chiefs.
The mammoth blocking tight end Curtis Hodges seems headed to the practice squad unless there is a dramatic surge forward from the player.
Commanders OL (10)
- Charles Leno, Jr., Andrew Wylie, Cornelius Lucas, Sam Cosmi, Nick Gates, Chase Roullier, Andrew Norwell, Chris Paul, Ricky Stromberg, Braeden Daniels
This is still very much a work in progress. The Washington Commanders have yet to hire a replacement for John Matsko, who worked wonders with veteran castoffs over the past few seasons but could seem to develop any young, homegrown talent.
That will need to change, and fast.
I am listing Sam Cosmi as a tackle here. But I think there is an excellent chance he could wind up as the team’s starting right guard.
At this point, only one position is really locked in. That’s Charles Leno Jr. at left tackle. Gun to the head, I would say Andrew Wylie will start at right tackle.
If Chase Roullier is healthy, the veteran returns to his center position, with Nick Gates and Cosmi at guard. If he cannot play, Gates slides to center, and someone – anyone – plays guard. As much as fans hate this idea, I suspect it would be Andrew Norwell to begin the season.
But if either Chris Paul or Braeden Daniels wows during training camp, Norwell could be off the roster entirely. And if Roullier suffers any kind of injury relapse - he has missed most of the past two seasons with assorted problems - veteran Tyler Larsen will be on the roster. Unless rookie Ricky Stromberg looks like he is ready to play from Day 1.
Barring injuries, I think Saahdiq Charles is done in Washington, and I suspect another team will take a chance on him. That means the practice squad will have several young unknowns like Nolan Laufenberg or Drew Himmelman.
Like I said – work-in-progress.
Commanders DL (10)
- Chase Young, Montez Sweat, James Smith-Williams, Casey Toohill, Efe Obada, K.J. Henry, Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, Phidarian Mathis, John Ridgeway
Efe Obada provides the positional flexibility to slide inside on passing downs, which balances out the positions a bit. Otherwise, this isn’t very complicated.
Chase Young, Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, and Montez Sweat should be an elite front four. There have been rumors about a possible deal involving either of the two defensive ends, with the thought being that the Washington Commanders will not be able to extend both beyond 2023.
I suppose you always need to listen to offers, but I wouldn’t move either. Fans really want to see what this line can do when healthy and though Young’s injuries have slowed his progress, he still has the potential to be an elite player.
If all they get for him (or Sweat) is a compensatory third-round pick in 2024, so be it. James Smith-Williams and Casey Toohill have proven to be reliable young backups who can also contribute on special teams, and I assume they did not trade up to draft K.J. Henry just so he could languish on the practice squad. I look for all six of these players to make a contribution this season.
In the middle, Allen and Payne are locked for the foreseeable future. Phidarian Mathis and John Ridgeway provide sturdy support.
Young veterans David Bada and Benning Potoa’e should wind up on the practice squad, and I am very intrigued by undrafted free agent Jordan Pryor, who also looks like he could provide some depth at both end and tackle.
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.
Commanders CBs (6)
- Kendall Fuller, Benjamin St-Juste, Emmanuel Forbes, Quan Martin, Cameron Dantzler Sr., Rachad Wildgoose
The Washington Commanders also recognized that cornerback was a position of need this off-season. Unlike at linebacker, they invested heavily in the position – claiming young veteran Cameron Dantzler Sr. and spending their first two draft picks on Emmanuel Forbes and Quan Martin.
Simply put, all three should see plenty of playing time behind starting boundary corners Kendall Fuller and Benjamin St-Juste.
Fuller - at the ripe old age of 28 years old - needs to prove he is not slowing down and St-Juste needs to stay healthy. Forbes needs to show his wafer-thin physique can stand up to the rigors of the NFL and Martin needs to show he has a position, and isn’t stuck between corner and safety.
Dantzler (on the boundary) and Wildgoose (in the slot) provide insurance.
Veteran Danny Johnson may again be destined to begin the season on the practice squad before inevitable injuries in the backfield require his call-up. He is a very steady presence whenever he is needed.
I think the team may prefer Tariq Castro Fields as a boundary option to Christian Holmes. Look for Castro-Fields to also get an invite to the practice squad.
Commanders safeties (4)
- Kamren Curl, Darrick Forrest, Percy Butler, Jeremy Reaves
This is pretty simple. Kamren Curl and Darrick Forrest are among the best young safey combinations in the league. Percy Butler was not all that good in his rookie year, but he has a world of talent and will be a force on special teams if nothing else. And Jeremy Reaves is the reigning All-Pro special teamer in the NFC.
He is a serviceable backup on defense as well. Undrafted free agent Xavier Henderson has an outside chance of sticking, though it would probably require an injury to one of the players ahead of him. He is a steady, experienced college player who will not be overmatched by the complexity of the NFL.
Commanders specialists (3)
· Joey Slye (kicker), Tress Way (punter), Camaron Cheeseman (long snapper)
One of these years, the Washington Commanders will have to move on from Tress Way, who turned 33 years old last month. But that will not be this year.
Camaron Cheeseman should be the long-snapper for the next decade. He is young and dependable, and those guys hardly ever move on.
At kicker, I would expect Washington to bring in some competition for the talented but inconsistent Joey Slye. Three veterans may be on the market this summer. Mason Crosby, Nick Folk, and Robbie Gould all played for teams last year that drafted kickers in 2023.
That doesn’t ensure they will be released, but it seems likely. All are at least 38 years old, and I don’t expect the Commanders to give them a look unless the situation grows desperate.
There are always some talented young kickers floating around. The trick is finding them at the right point. Often, a kicker needs some time to learn how to handle the pressures of the NFL.
If the Commanders are looking to roll the dice on a high-upside prospect, I’d love to see Brandon Aubrey get a shot in training camp. He played professional soccer until very recently and has looked pretty good as the kicker for the USFL’s Birmingham Stallions this season.
Quinn Nordin, a talented young kicker who largely flamed out in a brief stint with the New England Patriots last year, might be a more traditional choice. If no one can beat out Slye, so be it. But there should be some competition.