Which players have done enough to make the Washington Commanders' initial 53-man roster after one of the most memorable offseasons in franchise history?
The preseason is mercifully at an end and with Week 1 now in everyone's sights, it's time for Ron Rivera and his staff to make some difficult choices as pertains to their initial Washington Commanders 53-man roster. What conclusions those in power make will have grave implications on their chances in 2023, with the pressure firmly on following the arrival of Josh Harris' ownership group into the franchise.
It's been fascinating to see things unfold throughout the preparation period. Some players have risen to the challenge while others have fallen by the wayside, but what's important for Rivera is finding the right mix that can help propel the Commanders out of irrelevancy this season.
That said, we made our final 53-man roster prediction after another impressive preseason triumph. However, the prospect of further additions arriving via the waiver wire cannot be dismissed either.
Commanders QBs (3)
- Sam Howell, Jacoby Brissett, Jake Fromm
I debated hard about whether to go with two or three quarterbacks here. The new NFL rule coupled with Jake Fromm's impressive preseason meant it was a trio heading into the campaign.
Sam Howell is the undoubted starter and the next great hope. The Washington Commanders are placing a significant amount of faith in the former fifth-rounder to deliver and there seems to be some growing momentum around the signal-caller after a strong end to the summer.
The Commanders have a dependable backup option and mentor in Jacoby Brissett. Fromm gives them extra insurance in the event injury strikes and given how well he performed during warmup contests, those in power decide to keep him around rather than risk losing him to waivers in this scenario.
Commanders RBs (3)
- Brian Robinson Jr., Antonio Gibson, Chris Rodriguez Jr.
This has been the lock for some time now. Brian Robinson Jr. will lead the Washington Commanders' running back room, with Antonio Gibson providing a change-of-pace option set to feature heavily in the passing game within Eric Bieniemy's creative system.
Bieniemy will rely on this duo heavily. But the prospect of giving rookie Chris Rodriguez Jr. work right out of the gate has also increased after his outstanding summer.
Rodriguez averaged more than seven yards per carry from his preseason touches. His pass-blocking is also coming along nicely, so he is more than deserving of the No. 3 spot looking at the former Kentucky star's full body of work.
Commanders WRs (6)
- Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Curtis Samuel, Dyami Brown, Byron Pringle, Mitchell Tinsley.
This was another difficult choice thanks in no small part to what many of the Commanders lower down the depth chart offer from a special teams' standpoint. But if there was any doubt, Mitchell Tinsley confirmed his status as the No. 6 option with an outstanding performance in Washington's preseason finale versus the Cincinnati Bengals.
This does pose a conundrum about who'll impact the return game, but that's in danger of becoming obsolete in any case given the new NFL rules. Therefore, six wideouts is the way to go depending on the severity of Terry McLaurin's toe complication.
Obviously, if the Commanders don't feel like McLaurin will be ready for a few weeks, bringing through seven or adding another via the waiver wire seems like the smart course of action. Something that would mean bad news for another hopeful.
Commanders TEs (4)
- Logan Thomas, Cole Turner, John Bates. Alex Armah (FB/TE)
Logan Thomas is working his way back to full health and should be ready for Week 1 after missing a large part of summer workouts with a calf issue. The veteran's injury history is chequered in recent years, but the Washington Commanders have seen enough from second-year-pro Cole Turner to suggest he can be impactful in the passing game when called upon in 2023.
Turner's caught the eye in practice and during the preseason, which is extremely encouraging. John Bates is also looking to improve into an all-around force and Alex Armah's versatility means he'll probably be preferred to someone like Curtis Hodges all things considered.
The Commanders need more from their tight ends this season. And if anyone can unlock their true potential, it's Eric Bieniemy.
Commanders OL (9)
- Charles Leno Jr., Nick Gates, Andrew Wylie, Saahdiq Charles, Sam Cosmi, Cornelius Lucas, Ricky Stromberg, Braeden Daniels, Chris Paul.
Ron Rivera stated that there will be fierce discussions about whether to take nine or ten offensive linemen through onto their 53-man roster. One would expect it to be nine unless the coaching staff is convinced that undrafted free agent Mason Brooks can help them move forward.
This is the most contentious position group on the Commanders despite some significant investment this offseason. The revamped starting unit must produce the goods, but there does appear to be more depth thanks to the arrivals of Ricky Stromberg and Braeden Daniels via the 2023 NFL Draft.
Brooks could count himself unfortunate in this scenario. But the NFL is a cutthroat business with no real sentiment attached to building a contender - something the Ole Miss product might find out to his cost.
Commanders DTs (4)
- Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, Phidarian Mathis, John Ridgeway.
If the Washington Commanders want to accomplish anything this season, they must be heavily reliant on their defense once again. This all starts up front with a defensive line loaded with high-end draft picks and extremely capable performers.
Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne are arguably the league's best defensive tackle tandem. Phidarian Mathis should also see plenty of reps provided he stays clear of injuries, with John Ridgeway preferred for the No. 4 spot initially.
One would expect the Commanders to look at available options on the waiver wire to further boost depth in this area. Something that would leave Ridgeway's situation looking particularly precarious.
Commanders DEs (7)
- Montez Sweat, Chase Young, Efe Obada, James Smith-Williams, Casey Toohill, K.J. Henry, Andre Jones Jr.
The Commanders have an embarrassment of riches across their pass-rush. But their chances of improvement rest squarely on the shoulders of Chase Young and his ability to put a consistent run of games together.
Young and Montez Sweat are both entering contract years and look highly motivated to put up significant numbers. James Smith-Williams will likely be the No. 3 option, with Efe Obada also set to spend time on the edge rotation and as a three-technique on the interior when the situation dictates.
K.J. Henry is given the benefit of the doubt after an underwhelming summer. Keep an eye on Andre Jones Jr. - the seventh-rounder making considerable waves in the hope of prominent involvement as a defensive end or a pass-rushing outside linebacker.
Commanders LBs (4)
- Jamin Davis, Cody Barton, Khaleke Hudson, David Mayo.
I was tempted to go even lower than four players at the defensive second level considering how many two or one-linebacker sets Jack Del Rio looks set to deploy next season. However, David Mayo's valuable contribution on special teams and his close association with Ron Rivera are enough to give him the nod.
This is a big season for Jamin Davis with his fifth-year option decision looming. The Washington Commanders are also hoping Cody Barton can fill the void left by Cole Holcomb despite some indifferent efforts during warmup games so far.
Khaleke Hudson could be the potential breakout candidate based on what we've seen this summer. As stated previously, Mayo's influence in different areas is something Rivera values highly.
Commanders CBs (6)
- Emmanuel Forbes, Kendall Fuller, Benjamin St-Juste, Quan Martin (DB), Danny Johnson, Christian Holmes.
An inability to create turnovers within the secondary last season was the one thing preventing the Commanders' defense from being truly elite. The addition of Emmanuel Forbes at No. 16 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft could change all that in an instant.
Forbes looks every bit the shutdown alpha cornerback the Commanders envisaged. Although he's suffered some preseason growing pains, expect to see second-rounder Quan Martin also feature prominently as a big nickel presence if the matchup is favorable.
Benjamin St-Juste and Kendall Fuller are the influential veterans of which much is expected from starting positions. If Danny Johnson's injury isn't deemed serious, he should make it along with Christian Holmes, who is preferred to Rachad Wildgoose.
Commanders safeties (4)
- Kamren Curl, Darrick Forrest, Jeremy Reaves, Percy Butler.
Four safeties might not seem like much. However, it's also worth remembering that the Washington Commanders could easily deploy Quan Martin on the backend - a position where he starred at Illinois - should they wish.
Kamren Curl needs to be paid promptly after emerging as an indispensable member of the team's plans. Darrick Forrest is a more than able safety partner and big things are also expected of Percy Butler following an outstanding preparation period.
The final selection is Jeremy Reaves, who'll be aiming for more defensive involvement in addition to continuing his All-Pro production on special teams for good measure.
Commanders special teams (3)
- Joey Slye (K), Tress Way (P), Camaron Cheeseman (LS).
This is the simplest position group to figure out. There was a time earlier this offseason when Joey Slye's job looked in jeopardy after the Commanders signed kicker Michael Badgley, but he responded to the challenge well and comfortably beat out his former teammate.
Tress Way remains one of the best punters in the business and it would be a huge shock if things didn't continue in this manner throughout the upcoming campaign. Although Camaron Cheeseman endured a rough outing in Preseason Week 2, the long snapper has enough good form to suggest this was a blip rather than anything serious.
Whether this ends up being the Commanders' roster or not remains to be seen. But it does look like a squad capable of surprising a few who've already written off their chances of progression.